With the first official presidential debate for 2008 set to begin this evening on the Oxford campus of Ole Miss, Washington Post associate editor Kevin Merida gave readers of today's Style section a glimpse at how the state of Mississippi is still "Bearing Its Southern Cross."
Merida opened by insisting that the Magnolia State "has been chasing away ghosts for years, trying to rid itself of a past that keeps haunting the present" and that "the ghosts just won't leave Mississippi alone." The Post staffer did end up closing on a positive note regarding race relations in Mississippi, but in doing so, he failed to note the role of conservative policies in leading an overwhelmingly white state senate district to elect a black candidate:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓The state now has more black elected officials than any state in the country, including more than a quarter of the state legislators.. But there has yet to be an African American to win statewide office, and those who have tried have been victims of race-baiting politics, according to some black politicians. It is quite the irony that while Barack Obama carried Mississippi in the Democratic primary -- and some Democrats believe he can be competitive, if not win, in the general election -- black politicians in the state have had a difficult time winning white votes.
One of those who have succeeded is state Sen. Eric Powell, who represents a district that is 92 percent white. He says Obama has provided a road map for the politics of the future. "He's got white and black young people coming together," said Powell. "They've learned how to live with one another and accept one another's cultures."
They are too young to have lived through the shameful past, and so the ghosts of Mississippi don't bother with them.
A look at Powell's campaign Web site shows that the Democratic state senator is to the right of Obama on numerous issues and that he ran a campaign on a pro-life, pro-gun rights, anti-illegal immigration, pro-tax cut agenda:
Black Democrats can win elected office in white Mississippi by running on conservative issues that can united people on policy, not skin pigment. It's a shame Merida didn't mention that.
- Will vote to fully fund our public schools every year, not just in election years.
- will support a reduction in the sales taxes on groceries.
- will work with our local economic development officials to take advantage of opportunities to grow jobs in Northeast Mississippi.
- Will lead the fight for passage of legislation to halt illegal immigration.
- as the endorsed candidate of Mississippi Right to Life, Eric will Always cast a vote for life.
- Will lead the opposition to any move in the legislature to undermine our Second Amendment rights.
- will have a dedicated cell number for consituents, will always return your phone calls, and will have regular public meetings in all three counties.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Sick of the media and the "liberals"
September 26, 2008 - 11:32 ET by iveseenitallI am so sick of the media putting everthing but the truth into their articles. "Liberals" refuse to deal with facts. They infunse their "philosophy" into everything they say, write, and do. The current economic "crisis" is a prime example of their sticking their ugly noses into the free market and failing to face the consequences. Even now, the Democrats are putting a $56,000,000 earmark on the "bailout". They're sick with socialism.The article to which you refer will not admit to the success of a black official--- because he doesn't toe the liberal line. Stop for one moment and try to honestly find the source of most of America's problems. It is "liberalism", pure and simple. It will bring all of us down.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
$56,000,000 "earmark"
September 26, 2008 - 11:46 ET by merlin61We do not need another $1,000 "stimulus" check
from Nancy Pelosi. Does she not know we are
in deep do-do right now? This is not a stimulus
check , its a bribe to the American public to get
votes for her party. Maybe she and all the
thieving Dem Congress people could contribute
this amount of eamark from their looting of
the American people.
It is my guess that Mr.
September 26, 2008 - 11:49 ET by Pete WilsonIt is my guess that Mr. Merida has never been to Mississippi. If he had, he would have known the things he managed to leave out of his article. Of course, if he had included the conservative inclination of Mr. Powell, he would have been obliged to place him in the same category that liberals tend to place such black leaders as Michael Steele of Maryland, and Clarence Thomas.
I live in Mississippi, and I am very proud of our heritage and of our progress. It is a wonderful place with warm weather and warm people.
Democrats. Can't stand 'em!
September 26, 2008 - 12:57 ET by Saint ZeroThey ran this state after the civil war, during Jim Crown, and up until the Civil Rights act of 64 took away their fun and games. We never stood a chance in Mississippi until they left us alone.
120+ years was enough. No More!