Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Even One Herenton Term Would Restore Black Congressional Seat, Chism Says
Posted by Jackson Baker on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Acknowledging that race will be a theme in next year’s 9th District congressional race, Shelby County Commissioner Sidney Chism, a major backer of Memphis mayor Willie Herenton’s candidacy, seemed to concede that the 68-year-old Herenton might be a short-term congressman if successful against incumbent Steve Cohen in the 2010 Democratic primary.
“It’s an African-American seat,” Chism told the Flyer in the course of a weekend interview, “and if he just serves one term, it will re-establish the pattern. And after that there won’t be any nine or ten [black] candidates running.”
Chism expressed confidence in a Herenton victory and discounted a recent poll by Berge Yacoubian showing Cohen with a healthy lead. “He’s never had Herenton winning, in any election,” said Chism, who contended further, “All the mayor has to do to win is keep the support he already has. He doesn’t need anybody new.”
Comments (23)
Showing 1-23 of 23
Let's draft Sidney Chism for US Congress 2010.
Who's with me?
Ok, how about a "Package" deal?
like
dislike
An African-American seat? That is reprehensible. Can you imagine some County Commissioner stating that the 7th is a white seat?
Sidney ought to be ashamed of racist claptrap like this, but the sad truth is he isn't.
This is all wrong. Only Republicans are racist. How could this be? Bruce? Where are you Bruce???
Right here, BWM. Chism's racism is as stupid and despicable as Sherri Goforth's. Happy now? BTW, I've never contended "only Republicans" are racist.
Most people I know would vote for Willie for Congress just to get him out of Memphis. But that's the only reason. Steve Cohen has been a great congressman. Go Steve.
B,
Make your check out to: Pete Aviotti c/o Chism & Herenton Christmas Gala & Support Fund.
Wait.... How do I know my contribution won't wind up in the Free Willie Defense Fund?
B, Trust us. Your money is as safe as if it were deposited in any US bank or any hedge fund operating offshore.
herenton is such a great supporter of the city. has anyone even heard from or seen him since the weather hit last weekend? maybe he's holed up in a compound with his 45 member security team.
It's sad that people will totally ignore the work accomplished by Cohen. I definitely do not agree with him on a lot of issues, but a harder working, honest, and concerned congressman will be hard to find. Another low point for Willie and his cronies.
After the 1980 Census, the 9th Congressional District was formed. Harold Ford, Sr. was elected to that seat after serving 3 terms in then-District 8. The seat was gerrymandered by the TN Gen. Assembly to be a safe DEMOCRATIC seat, and District 7 was similarly made into a safe REPUBLICAN seat. Ford Sr. and Ford Jr. were the only ones to occupy that seat until Cohen's election. This does not make this seat a 'Black' seat. The only reason people say this seat is a historically black seat is because they want to make it so. Adults usually can discern rhetoric from reality.
This article proves that blacks are more racist than whites! Cohen has done a Great job for the City of Memphis and its black citizens and could be counted among the best representative from the city, but all they are concerned with is the color of his skin!! Until that changes this will never be the city it has the potential to be!
"This article proves that blacks are more racist than whites!" This article doesn't "prove" anything of the kind. lay off the hyperbole and gross generalizations. all black people are more racist than white people? hardly.
Dwayne Earl: Amen! Finally someone with a grasp on the facts.
CdTigers: The article proves no such thing. It only proves what Sidney Chism thinks, and thankfully his opinion is not shared by the majority.
African-American seat? I've never heard anyone say anything like that from any other congressional district in this country. This kind of racism by Mr. Chism is why this city is losing taxpaying citizens by the thousands annually. Soon enough, there will not be enough taxpaying citizens, white, black or other races, to maintain a decent quality of life in this city. Good luck.
Rantboy, voting King Willie wouldn't really get him out of Memphis. Well, he might be out of town more often, but his grip will still be over the city. In fact, his grip will extend all over shelby county.
As far as Chism's contention that the 9th Congressional seat is an "african american seat," this does not surprise me at all. Just par for the course as far as I am concerned.
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