Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Cohen Gets Black Caucus Support, Herenton Gets Busy as Finish Nears
Posted by Jackson Baker on Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 8:14 AM
Cohen, who had already been gifted with overt support from a number of African-American political eminences, including President Obama, got another boost Monday when the Congressional Black Caucus formally conferred its endorsement, along with a $5,000 donation to the congressman’s reelection effort.
“The CBC PAC’s mission is to increase the number of African-Americans in the U.S. Congress (and) to support non-black candidates who champion CBC interests,” PAC Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said in his letter that accompanies the check to Cohen. “You have been selected to receive this contribution because of your commitment to the CBC PAC’s goals.”
That statement may not only aid Cohen now, it could foreshadow an invitation to join the CBC himself when Congress reconvenes.
Former mayor Herenton, meanwhile, was doing his best to achieve the kind of last-minute momentum that marked his upset come-from-behind victory in 1991 over incumbent Dick Hackett in the Memphis mayoral race.
Herenton has three public events scheduled for this week alone — a “social and supper” at the Chowtime Grill on Hacks Cross road for Wednesday night, a “mix and mingle” event Thursday evening at the Elements Restaurant and Lounge on Winchester, and a North Memphis rally at Jackson and Watkins on Saturday.
Comments (19)
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The Congressman will continue to represent and treat "all" Memphians with respect. Mr. Cohen is an invaluable asset to this community and has firmly established himself with a vital connection to Washington but he is grounded in Memphis. Congratulations on the CBC recognition.
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What's AC Wharton waiting for--anyone? Please tell me he's not going to sit this one out, for fear of some kind of retribution (or worse, for fear it would give WW--assuming he loses to Cohen--an incentive to run against him next time, which I suspect he'll do, no matter what).
I mean, what more incentive does AC need than being vilified, as he has been by WW (I'd say being called a "disaster" qualifies as vilification), or realizing Cohen, with his level of seniority, is much more likely to bring home the bacon (so to speak) than a freshman would, especially one who will have incurred the wrath of the CBC.
Surely, at this point, AC realizes that his black supporters don't expect him to be loyal to WW (since, it would appear, most of them aren't), and that his white supporters (which--correct me if I'm wrong--he still owes a substantial debt of gratitude to for his election) may hold it against him if he doesn't endorse Cohen.
I'm still waiting for AC to put his money where his mouth was when he used the motto "One Memphis" to get elected.
Well, this is what happens when you been an A-hole for a very long time. The CBC recognizes Herenton is an a-hole. When was the last time anybody, aside from Chism, had a conversation with Herenton. You don't have conversations with him, rather he talks at you. He's an ego maniac dinosaur nobody wants around anymore.
I hope everyone remembers to keep their receipts at Chow Time, less the armed guard guns you down at the door (I'm not kidding, armed guard checking that you paid when you leave). And remember people, No Sharing the Buffet, Only 1 fortune cookie per person, And wait to be seated!
What's Wharton waiting for? Is that a serious question? For years these two were partners and Willie helped usher AC in. Wharton is not likely going to get in the middle of this hornet's nest.
This is the most interesting election contest I have seen since coming to Memphis. In the even Willie wins, it will make a pretty strong statement about how far we have come, and how people really vote.
In the event Steve wins, Willie's political career will officially be over and COhen will become an undefeatable legend in his district.
Unfortunately, Marty will still be an asshole regardless of what happens.
Tommy squeezes another one out. I'm sure he appreciated Pack giving him a, um, hand.
Hey Marty, Smitty's saving one Gerbil Special for you this week. It's right up your...alley. Hurry down!
It's simple. Cohen is better for the overwhelming majority of Black folk than Hernton. Never mind superficial things like skin color or even the stronger factor of shared culture and history that Hernton might rely on--he's for the few and rich; Cohen is for the many. Cohen has supported all kinds of gov. programs that benefit us all. He has even sponsored the Reparations Bill, designed to help level the playing field and try to undo the legacy of slavery. His heart is in the right place. His actions, too. If all else is equal, sure, I'd vote Black. But how about John Brown vs. Idi Amin, to make a ridiculous example. In the end you gotta support the one who will do for you. And that's Cohen. Simple.
Cohen for Congress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congressman Steve Cohen passed a resolution calling upon the United States House of Representatives to apologize for its role in allowing slavery and the Jim Crow era that followed. Vote to re-elect Congressman Steve Cohen for District 9.
I must say; The comments on this post are overwhelmingly for Steve Cohen, and I truly understand, as I have voted for and supported him in past election contests. As an African-American woman who grew up in this city, I will be voting for "King Willie" as he is affectionately called by some. Say what you want about Dr. W. W. Herenton, he did a lot of good for this "city of good abode". That good includes a lot of attractions, sports entities, rebuilding of downtown, etc.. that's enjoyed by lots of people who undoubtedly will vote against him. Not to mention moving people out of those god-forsaken "ghetto projects" into single dwelling homes. Oh, the irony......
oh yeah, on the CBC's endorsement....they didn't support Obama's election effort either ,initially. They rallied around Hillary Clinton. So caucus shmaucus, I say!
No, Ms. Isis, what's ironic is that if you vote for Herenton, you'll be voting against your own interest, in a "What's the Matter With Kansas" sense, because, while he may have been good for the city, and even for its black residents, in an "earlier life," he stopped being good for it (and them http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/business… ) when he stopped caring for it (and them http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/…), and starting caring more for himself http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/… in his more recent incarnation.
His erratic (some might say verging on irrational) behavior of late has done anything but recommend his candidacy to anyone, black or white, who's been paying attention, and his willingness to take Memphis back (some might say to keep it there) to the days of racial strife should be anything but rewarded.
You may say you're voting for him because of what he did for the city years ago (and thereby be blind to what he's done TO the city more recently), but I suggest the real reason you're going to do so (in spite of your dubious, self-serving claim of support for Cohen in earlier elections) is much more transparent, and very sad. I just hope, for the sake of the future of this city, you don't speak for too many other voters. Thankfully, I doubt you do.
I just find it odd (almost laughable) that Herenton has this misplaced sense of "racial injustice". Racism is a real and serious problem, not just in Memphis but in all the world. However, he seems to invent bigotry that, quite simply, isn't there. That, in and of itself, is actually doing more harm than good.
The fact of the matter is that the 9th District is majority black. And yet, Steve Cohen defeated Jake Ford in 2006 and Nikki Tinker in 2008 (despite Nikki's ferociously racist campaign tactics). This pretty much renders Herenton's point to be null and void...because Cohen won in a landslide both times over black candidates in a black district. Apparently, black voters aren't as shallow and superficial as Nikki Tinker and Willie Herenton want them to be.
Herenton does nothing but INCREASE the racial tension in this town. It's disgusting.
CNN's piece about this race, mostly a Herenton profile:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/30/ten…
Mr. Awesomeberg, just what did HE do to the city? I feel that YOU would never understand things from my perspective. That doesn't matter though. Yes he did do a lot of good for this city early on. However, when a person is faced with a never-ending FBI fishing expedition, its a bit difficult to put your energies into your main responsibilities. No its not self-serving for me to admit supporting Mr. Cohen in the past; its just a fact.
I've already answered your question; you just didn't care for my answer.
Herenton had a lot of potential when he was first elected. I voted for him then, because I thought he had great ideas for the city AND that he would implement them. He did (and you mentioned some of them), but then, as I said, he lost interest. The animal shelter and rape crisis center are just two examples of that. His disappearance during "Hurricane Elvis" is another. When it comes to leadership, he's frequently been AWOL.
The FBI investigation didn't occupy him--that's what he paid his lawyer to take care of, apparently successfully. But what he did was to allow himself to be occupied (some might say consumed) by were arrogance and hubris, and in the process, he forgot why he was elected.
Are you seriously telling me you didn't find his behavior the last couple years concerning? His bizarre press conferences, on-again-off-again candidacy, his calling Cohen (who he endorsed--even though he's now trying to deny that) an "asshole" during his interview by Jackson Baker, and oh so many other examples that many observers thought were symptomatic of a personality disorder?
As for your "perspective," you're right, I'll never understand anyone's perspective who could vote for Herenton in this election. I can only assume, though, that you've fallen victim to his "just one" appeal to racial division. Deny that, if you honestly can.
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