Another day, another race-baiting attack ad against the Senate campaign of Harold Ford, Jr. Actually two new ones: One is from the Republican National Committee and replaces the now-infamous bimbo ad, the other is a radio spot from challenger Bob Corker that uses jungle drums.
Listen to the spot carefully. When the ad mentions Corker, the music soars. When Harold Ford, Jr. is mentioned, you can hear what sounds like tom-tom drums in the background. Bill Lockhart, the program director for WGOW in Chatanooga, authenticated the ad and audio clip for Talking Ponts Memo. "They're freaking jungle-drums," Lockhart said. "It's racist, it tries to conjure up deep, dark African moods. Yeah, it's overtly racial."
Meanwhile, the RNC approach has gone from floozies to falsehoods. At least two television stations—one in Nashville, the other in Chattanooga—will not run the RNC's replacement television spot pending documentation from the RNC. The new ad, called "Shaky", alleges Ford took money from sleazy pornographers and "wants to give the abortion pill to schoolchildren."
We're not even asking for these ads to be removed. Josh Marshall makes a great point: "Democrats need to learn the meta-message behind Republican attack ads, especially on issues like terrorism and national security. Begging the refs to throw a flag in response to a vicious ad only telegraphs the message of weakness that was the aim of the attack in the first place." In other words, bring it on. Not everyone on the other side of the aisle is afraid of a good fight.
RNC Pulls Controversial Ford Ad (Scripps)
Republicans Jungle Fever Campaign (TPM)
Radio Ad Has "Jungle Drums" (TPM)
Quicktime Audio: Corker Radio Ad
More Harold Ford Jr:
"I Like Football and I Like Girls" (Rod 2.0) How Low Will They Go? (Rod 2.0)
Thanks for staying on top of this. Ford has a good shot at winning. It's obvious how desperate the Republicans are.
Posted by: Ken Harper | 26 October 2006 at 17:34
Rod, we can tell that you like a good political fight. Bring it on, indeed!
Posted by: Katey | 26 October 2006 at 17:38
That new radio ad is just ridiculous. You can hear the drums. Certainly a coded message.
Posted by: scott | 26 October 2006 at 17:39
Obviously, they are very scared and are willing to go to almost any means to ensure the seat stays in Republican hands.
Posted by: ralphie | 26 October 2006 at 18:55
The GOP should be outlawed or just admit its racist ways for those too dimwitted not to see it, this is ridicolus in 2006. Drum beats in TN, threats to Hispanics in Calif, and people still vote for these bigots in suits.
Posted by: jared | 26 October 2006 at 19:20
really desperate and petty...I almost cant read the polls and stories anymore because I dont want to get my hopes up and have become so accustomed to getting my heart broken on election nite (or days afterwards)
Posted by: DFS | 26 October 2006 at 19:22
The good news is that this means trhey are scared. Hopefully, he will have a good shot at the senate. We need some more brothers and sisters up there.
Posted by: Lee Owens | 26 October 2006 at 21:13
Doesn't Corker seem obsessed with harold Ford's sex life? Almost vicarious.
Posted by: marc | 26 October 2006 at 21:22
Sure it's desperate, but I doubt the RNC would put out such garbage if their focus-groups full of soccer-moms and NASCAR dads didn't indicate this crap worked. Scared they are, yes, but there's a reason this stuff is hitting the air. One hopes that a majority of voters don't take the bait. But if they do, is it a referendum on a candidate, or that this racist, lying crap actually works?
(By the way, Jared, you don't outlaw a party. You vote them out of office.)
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 27 October 2006 at 00:23
If Corker (even if he didn't produce the ad, he is affiliated with the political party that did) wins after an ad like that, what is there left to say about some whites continued role in perpetuating racism and bigotry?
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
I, too, am America.
--
Oh Langston. How I wish you were here to see this mess.
Posted by: I am not Star Jones | 27 October 2006 at 01:21
the sad thing is he will get away with this.
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 27 October 2006 at 08:26
Sad, sad, sad ad even though Harold Ford, Jr. is a snake.
Posted by: Terrence | 27 October 2006 at 11:23