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Jay Shackford
Willie Horton Is Back
By Dead-center Shacks
Go back to the summer of 1988 when Democratic Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis was well ahead in the polls in his race for the presidency against Vice President George H. W. Bush. But that was before Lee Atwater – Bush’s chief strategist and architect of Bush’s so-called southern strategy – attended a motorcycle convention and heard about convicted felon Willie Horton’s furlough from prison in Massachusetts.
That gave birth to the Atwater’s Willie Horton racist ads, which Ann Coulter described as the “greatest campaign ad in political history.” In a matter of weeks, Dukakis was painted as being soft on crime, instilling race and fear into the campaign across the land and wiping out Dukakis’s lead in the polls and putting a pinch on his fund-raising efforts. It led to his defeat.
Years later when on his death bed, Lee Atwater apologized to Michael Dukakis for the “naked cruelty” of the Willie Horton ads and his campaign strategy.
Well, if you thought that type of ad was long gone, take a look at GOP candidate Hung Cao’s ads in Virginia’s 10thcongressional district against Democratic incumbent Jennifer Wexton. Very ugly and racist ads are being played painting Wexton as being soft on crime in the gerrymandered 10th congressional district, which includes some of the outlying DC suburbs.
Or look at the Wisconsin Senate race where incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson is running against Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes. In that race, Johnson is running ads darkening the skin of the light skinned Barnes in addition to making outright racist charges right out of Lee Atwater’s playbook. In Johnson’s twisted mind, darker skinned African Americans (like Willie Horton) are more menacing and threatening in the world of white supremacy and his MAGA supporters.
And, believe me, Ron Johnson, a Tea Party original first elected in 2010 and married into money (his wife’s family owned a plastics dynasty that has been polluting America for generations) is a true believer in white supremacy and conspiracy theories of all types, including Trump’s stolen election, January 6th was just a walk in the park, vaccines will kill you, and mouthwash is the best cure for Covid. In fact, he’s never met a conspiracy theory he didn’t like. As for the future, Johnson’s all for eliminating Social Security and Medicare and arming America with more guns to combat crime once Republicans regain control of Congress.
What happens in Virginia, however, could set the pace for this off-year election, which in my view is still a toss-up and depends on which side works harder to turnout the vote.
Among the three key Virginia races Democrat and January 6th Commission member Elaine Laria is running against Jennifer Kiggans, an election denier, Trump supporter and someone who believes January 6th was a peaceful protest. But District 2 is in the Newport News area, a strong military district that has traditionally voted Republican. So this could be a very close election.
The other key Virginia race is incumbent Rep. Abigail Spanberger (a former CIA case worker) against Yesli Vega – oh yes, another election denier and believer in all the other crazy conspiracy theories of the far right.
This race is so close that Liz Cheney came out and endorsed Spanberger yesterday. “We don’t agree on every policy, but I am absolutely certain that Abigail is dedicated to serving this country and her constituents and defending our Constitution,” Cheney said. “Abigail’s opponent is promoting conspiracy theories, denying election outcomes she disagrees with, and defending the indefensible. We need our elected leaders to be honest, serious, and responsible, which is why I would urge voters in Virginia’s 7th District to support Abigail Spanberger.”
So keep an eye on these three Virginia races tomorrow night – it might foreshadow how the election is going nationally.
BTW, great post Joan – you are right on target.
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