Racist Leads Tennessee GOP Primary

[Lil Pun]

Unabashed Racist Leads Tenn. GOP Primary (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=684&e=16&u=/ap/eugenics_candidate)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - An unabashed racist will represent the Republican party in the November election for a congressional seat after a write-in candidate failed to derail his effort.

With 86 percent of the primary vote counted Thursday, write-in candidate Dennis Bertrand had just 1,554 votes compared to 7,671, or 83 percent, for James L. Hart, a believer in the discredited, phony science of eugenics.

In November, the GOP candidate will oppose Rep. John Tanner (news, bio, voting record), a Democrat who has represented the northwest Tennessee district for 15 years.

Hart, 60, vows if elected to work toward keeping "less favored races" from reproducing or immigrating to the United States. In campaign literature, Hart contends that "poverty genes" threaten to turn the United States into "one big Detroit."

"I didn't expect to win," Hart said. "I thought their network would beat my ideas."

He has run for the 8th District seat before and drawn little attention. But people began to notice this time because he was the only Republican on the ballot.

Since the deadline for getting on the ballot had passed, Bertrand, also a Republican, began a write-in campaign, saying he wanted to protect the party's honor.

"I think his beliefs are not beliefs of any party that I know of," Bertrand said Thursday night. "I knew it was going to be a really long shot, but in good conscience, I had to at least give it an attempt."

Bertrand, a financial analyst and former military officer, was on active duty with the National Guard when the deadline to get on the primary ballot passed.

Hart said he will have lots of time to campaign for the general election since he was forced Wednesday to resign from his job as a real estate salesman because of the attention he drew during the primary.

"They didn't say 'You're fired' in exactly those words, but it was pretty clear what they wanted," Hart said.

While campaigning, Hart sometimes wears a protective vest and carries a .40-caliber pistol, but he said he has run into no trouble.

"When I knock on a door and say white children deserve the same rights as everybody else, the enthusiastic response is truly amazing," he said.

If a black person opens the door, he says he simply drops off campaign literature and leaves.

[Rocketman95]

Nice. Wonder how much the RNC will give him.

[Cohen]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/Iraq/2004/08/04/569137-ap.html

Welcome for Iraqi guests of U.S. government includes civic snub, mugging


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Two members of a group of Iraqi guests of the U.S. State Department who were barred from Memphis city hall several days ago were robbed at gunpoint on a street in the city, police said.

No one was hurt, police said Wednesday.

The seven visiting Iraqis are civic and community leaders on a three-week U.S. tour sponsored by the State Department.

On the tour, they are to learn about how the U.S. government works on the local level. The trip also includes stops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington.

Two members of the group, identified by police as Rwad Fanary and Liza Hido, were walking along a downtown street Tuesday when they were accosted by a man with a handgun.

Police said the robber escaped with an undisclosed amount of money, travellers cheques and a camera. No arrests were made.

The Iraqis were scheduled to visit city hall last Monday but city council chairman Joe Brown objected, saying they were security risks.

Elisabeth Silverman, head of the Memphis Council for International Visitors, said Brown told her he would "evacuate the building and bring in the bomb squads."

The group met with another member of the city council at a different location to talk about Memphis government.

Mayor Willie Herenton, who was not informed the group would be visiting, issued a statement Wednesday apologizing for their reception at city hall.

"In no way should this experience reflect the feelings of our citizenry or their elected officials," the mayor said.

The council as a whole also issued a statement of apology.





'And that's the news from Tennessee...'

[robbie380]

lol....this is the best line

In campaign literature, Hart contends that "poverty genes" threaten to turn the United States into "one big Detroit."

[MadMax]

what the hell?? this guy is seriously on the ballot? is there nothing the GOP could have done to prevent this, there?? i can't imagine that most republicans anywhere think this is a good representative of their party.

[mc mark]

Win at any costs Max!

[Chump]

Originally posted by mc mark
Win at any costs Max!

exactly

it seems Republicans in Tennessee are only concerned with the letter by your name, not in what you believe in - much like a lot of Republicans on this board - only concerned with 'scoreboard'

[MadMax]

Originally posted by mc mark
Win at any costs Max!

except i don't think it helps republicans win in general. it might deliver them someplace like tennessee, once. but the effect it has on the party at large can't be good.

if i were a GOP operative, i'd be distancing myself from this guy big time...and doing what I could to have him removed from the ballot or have the R by his name removed on the ballot.

[bnb]

exackery mr max!

just how did this nutjob win the primary?

Was nobody else available?

This confuses me.

[rimrocker]

They just have to con him into going to a Bush rally and then have him arrested for trespassing.

[AntiSonic]

Originally posted by MadMax
except i don't think it helps republicans win in general. it might deliver them someplace like tennessee, once. but the effect it has on the party at large can't be good.

if i were a GOP operative, i'd be distancing myself from this guy big time...and doing what I could to have him removed from the ballot or have the R by his name removed on the ballot.

EXACTLY.

This is not good at all. Not only does it FURTHER alienate minorities from the party, you can be sure the Dems are going to milk this for all its worth.

And just when Republicans were starting to shake the racist label... :(

[giddyup]

Originally posted by rimrocker
They just have to con him into going to a Bush rally and then have him arrested for trespassing.
Send him the HATE BUSH t-shirt when you suggest this to him... :D

I heard that this guy is the bastid child of Strom Thurmond...

[Rocket104]

Does anyone know how you list your party on a ballot?

What if I said I was a member of the Yellow Antelope Party? Would they just believe me and add that beside my name?

Do I have to prove I'm a Democrat if I want a D by my name on a ballot? Do I have to prove I'm a Republican if I want an R instead?

[giddyup]

Originally posted by Rocket104
Does anyone know how you list your party on a ballot?
I would think that you have to register with the party to claim them. The party, then, can support you to whatever extent they choose... with no obligation.

[Oski2005]

Damn, how did this guy get this far? Are heads of the Ten. GOP asleep at the wheel?

You know what's far more sad than this guy, is that there a few thousand people in one district who support him.

[Mango]

With Tanner being a <i>Blue Dog</i> Democrat, it seems that the GOP didn't bother contesting him and this allowed Hart to slip in.

[bnb]

Originally posted by Mango
With Tanner being a <i>Blue Dog</i> Democrat, it seems that the GOP didn't bother contesting him and this allowed Hart to slip in.

could you explain a bit.

still confused.

[Mango]

<a HREF="http://www.house.gov/tanner/">Tanner Home Page</a>

At the very bottom is a link to the <i>Blue Dog Democrats</i> web site.

<a HREF="http://baronhill.house.gov/bluedogs/what_bluedog.htm">What is a Blue Dog</a>

<i>
The Blue Dog Coalition has built a reputation as a serious player in the policy arena, promoting positions which bridge the gap between ideological extremes. Many of the group's policy proposals have been praised as fair, responsible, and positive additions to a Congressional environment too often marked as partisan and antagonistic.

The 38 conservative and moderate Democrats in the group hail from every region of the country, although the group acknowledges some southern ancestry which accounts for the group's nickname. Taken from the South's longtime description of a party loyalist as one who would vote for a yellow dog if it were on the ballot as a Democrat, the "Blue Dog" moniker was taken by members of The Coalition because their moderate-to-conservative-views had been "choked blue" by their party in the years leading up to the 1994 election.

The Coalition was formed in the 104th Congress as a policy-oriented group to give moderate and conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives a common sense, bridge-building voice within the institution. Most agree that, since then, the Blue Dogs have successfully injected a moderate viewpoint into the Democratic Caucus, where group members now find greater receptiveness to their opinions. In fact, the continuing political success of "Blue Pups" in the 1998, 2000, and 2002 elections points to the public's approval of the centrist, fiscally responsible message represented by The Coalition.

The Coalition has been particularly active on fiscal issues, relentlessly pursuing a balanced budget and then protecting that achievement from politically popular "raids" on the budget. Past Coalition budgets have won the endorsement of the nonpartisan Concord Coalition and multiple newspaper and magazine editorials. As one column pointed out, the Blue Dogs have proven that "common sense, conservative economics and compassion aren't necessarily mutually exclusive."

The Coalition also played a significant role in welfare reforms signed into law in recent years. Their proposals served as middle-ground markers which laid the foundation for the bipartisanship necessary to bring about fundamental reforms, and helped set into law policies reflecting the "common sense, conservative compassion" so often attached to the group's efforts. The Coalition has also worked on common sense solutions to our energy, health care, and homeland security problems.

In the 108th Congress, the Coalition intends to continue to make a difference in Congress by forging middle-ground, bipartisan answers to the current challenges facing the Country. A top priority will be to refocus Congress on truly balancing the budget and ridding taxpayers of the burden the national debt places on them. The group also expects to be involved in education, regulatory reform, taxes, defense and veterans affairs. </i>

<a HREF="http://baronhill.house.gov/bluedogs/mbr_profiles.htm">List of Blue Dog Members</a>

Seems to be mainly Southern and Midwestern Democrats. A few from California.............but very few from the Northest U.S.

If the GOP thought they had a viable chance to beat Tanner, don't you think they would have found a more suitable candidate than Hart?

[bnb]

Thanks Mango.

still amazes me they wouldn't strive to get somebody, ANYBODY, without this lunatic's baggage.

There must have been a copy clerk, used car salesman, student, failed mining exec/baseball owner, random man on the street, or ANYONE that they could have selected that wouldn't shine such a negative the national spotlight on them.

[Oski2005]

I'm sure the Repubs aren't too concerned with this district, but would they really stand by and let a racist run in their name? I'm pretty sure they weren't aware of his views, hence my "asleep at the wheel" remark. Again, to me, the scary part in all of this is the support he has from a few thousand voters.

[Batman Jones]

ROXRAN:

Is this guy in your district? If so, how will you vote?

[Baqui99]

Can't believe this is for real. This nutjob is actually going to win a Congress seat? I guess that's what happens when more people know the head football coach, Phil Fulmer, than the names of the congressmen on the ballot.

BTW, Robert Byrd is a former KKK member. Not sure what his stance today is though.

[bnb]

Mango promised he wouldn't win.

He's just a momentary embarrassment to the GOP and the people of Tennessee

[FranchiseBlade]

Originally posted by Baqui99
Can't believe this is for real. This nutjob is actually going to win a Congress seat? I guess that's what happens when more people know the head football coach, Phil Fulmer, than the names of the congressmen on the ballot.

BTW, Robert Byrd is a former KKK member. Not sure what his stance today is though.

He's renounced the KKK, and their teachings. I hope he's made a lot of other amends as well.

[Oski2005]

Originally posted by Baqui99
Can't believe this is for real. This nutjob is actually going to win a Congress seat? I guess that's what happens when more people know the head football coach, Phil Fulmer, than the names of the congressmen on the ballot.

BTW, Robert Byrd is a former KKK member. Not sure what his stance today is though.

I don't think he's going to win. He' running against a 15 year incumbant.


Byrd has renounced his past, something Thurmond would never do.

[mrpaige]

I don't know how many people have ever participated in local political party activities. Generally speaking, they aren't the most well-organized affairs, especially in small districts that are in the stranglehold of the other party.

And it is difficult to find people willing to become a candidate in a losing cause election. The national and state parties ignore you, and you end up spending time, money and effort on something you know is a waste of time.

And the Party can't stop anybody from running under their party banner. A candidate files with the county to stand in the primary election. If there's no one against them in the primary, they win and are on the ballot for November, running under the Party's name even if the Party if openly and actively against that candidate.

So you oftentimes end up with fringe candidates, some of whom are embarrassing to the Party. I expect that the Republicans didn't anticipate anyone running for the seat from the Republican side and were surprised when someone filed (there's no Democrat running in my Congressional District, for example).

[mrpaige]

Originally posted by Rocket104
Does anyone know how you list your party on a ballot?

What if I said I was a member of the Yellow Antelope Party? Would they just believe me and add that beside my name?

Do I have to prove I'm a Democrat if I want a D by my name on a ballot? Do I have to prove I'm a Republican if I want an R instead?

In Texas, your party is only listed on the ballot if they won above a certain percentage of the vote in the last Gubernatorial election. Or, the Party can deliver a certain number of signatures and be on the ballot statewide.

Otherwise, if you get on the ballot, it'll just be as an independent in general.

And you have to prove you're a Democrat or Republican by winning their primary election. If you don't win the Republican Primary, you won't appear on the November ballot as a Republican (well, you won't appear on the November ballot at all in that case, but a person can't just say they're a Republican and be on the ballot as such in the general election).

The rules are different in some other states, though.

[Mulder]

Originally posted by Mango
With Tanner being a <i>Blue Dog</i> Democrat, it seems that the GOP didn't bother contesting him and this allowed Hart to slip in.

Well that's a new one, I am a Yellow Dog Democrat (http://www.yellowdogdemocrat.com/variations.htm)

[outlaw]

John Tanner was the congressman in Fahrenheit 9/11 who Moore asked to send his children to Iraq and he said his son is married with 2 kids blah blah.

[rimrocker]

He won the primary and will "probably" attend the GOP ZConvention...
_________________

Believer in 'eugenics' wins congressional primary in Tennessee

MEMPHIS, Tenn. An openly racist candidate is the winner in a Tennessee congressional primary.

James Hart, a believer in the discredited, phony science of eugenics, has handily defeated write-in opponent Dennis Bertrand in the Republican primary for the Eighth Congressional District.

Most of the votes have been counted and Hart has a big lead.

The 60-year-old doesn't expect to defeat Democratic Congressman John Tanner, who's represented the district for 15 years. But he says he wants to get out his message -- that people from what he calls "less favored races" should be discouraged from reproducing or immigrating to the U-S.

His explanation of "less favored races" includes people on welfare and those from "sub-Saharan" African countries.

Hart says the Republican Party would like him to go away -- but he'll probably go to the G-O-P convention.

http://www.kait8.com/global/story.asp?s=2140555&ClientType=Printable

[StupidMoniker]

Isn't eugenics the science of improvement through selective breeding? I am not sure how discredited it is, considering the premium placed on studs in horse racing. I doubt that an extensive, well-run eugenics program has ever existed for man (the closest was probably breeding slaves?), and so there is probably not enough data to say that the science has been discredited. I don't agree with the man's stance that "less favored races" should not be allowed to breed (dude sounds like a Nazi, not a Republican), but looking at Yao Ming and his parents, it certainly seems like you can breed for certain traits.

[andymoon]

Originally posted by StupidMoniker
Isn't eugenics the science of improvement through selective breeding? I am not sure how discredited it is, considering the premium placed on studs in horse racing. I doubt that an extensive, well-run eugenics program has ever existed for man (the closest was probably breeding slaves?), and so there is probably not enough data to say that the science has been discredited. I don't agree with the man's stance that "less favored races" should not be allowed to breed (dude sounds like a Nazi, not a Republican), but looking at Yao Ming and his parents, it certainly seems like you can breed for certain traits.

I believe that the practice of "eugenics" in our country was not the selective breeding of excellent genetic examples, but was governments sterilizing people who they did not believe should breed, such as the mentally handicapped as well as people they suspected of having mental illnesses. I wouldn't have any problem with selective breeding to produce better humans (provided the subjects were amenable to such), but "eugenics" in this country was something VASTLY different.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by andymoon
I believe that the practice of "eugenics" in our country was not the selective breeding of excellent genetic examples, but was governments sterilizing people who they did not believe should breed, such as the mentally handicapped as well as people they suspected of having mental illnesses. I wouldn't have any problem with selective breeding to produce better humans (provided the subjects were amenable to such), but "eugenics" in this country was something VASTLY different.

the "lady" who started planned parenthood had some rather unpleasant things to say, along these lines.

very scary stuff.

[andymoon]

Originally posted by MadMax
the "lady" who started planned parenthood had some rather unpleasant things to say, along these lines.

very scary stuff.

Do you recall anything specific?

Just curious.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by andymoon
Do you recall anything specific?

Just curious.

yeah...she spoke at a Klan rally. i'll see if i can find you something on it

[Rocketman95]

Has there been anything from the RNC disavowing their relationship with this idiot?

[andymoon]

Originally posted by MadMax
yeah...she spoke at a Klan rally. i'll see if i can find you something on it

I remember seeing a 60 Minutes or Dateline or some such news program on the "eugenics" experiments in the US in the 1950s. Very frightening stuff. They just went in to "sanitariums" (as they were known in those days) and sterilized every patient. Did the same at homes for the mentally handicapped, too. They even went so far as to get parents to sign their children up for sterilization.

[MadMax]

This is from a Christianity Today article...not sure what you think of that source, but these are quotes attributed to her. One is from a book she wrote, so i presume it would be easy to counter this assertion, if untrue.

http://www.ctlibrary.com/8909
In her book, The Pivot of Civilization, Sanger complained that governments have not managed "to restrain, either by force or persuasion, the moron and the imbecile from producing his large family of feeble-minded offspring."

Particularly disturbing to many pro-life African Americans is Sanger's involvement in the Negro Project. Devised more than 60 years ago to promote sterilization and birth control among blacks, the Negro Project focused on training black ministers and doctors to take Sanger's message into minority neighborhoods. In an ambiguously worded letter to colleague Clarence Gamble dated December 10, 1939, Sanger wrote: "The minister's work is also important and also he should be trained, perhaps by the Federation as to our ideals and the goal that we hope to reach. We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members."

[andymoon]

Originally posted by MadMax
This is from a Christianity Today article...not sure what you think of that source, but these are quotes attributed to her. One is from a book she wrote, so i presume it would be easy to counter this assertion, if untrue.

http://www.ctlibrary.com/8909
In her book, The Pivot of Civilization, Sanger complained that governments have not managed "to restrain, either by force or persuasion, the moron and the imbecile from producing his large family of feeble-minded offspring."

Particularly disturbing to many pro-life African Americans is Sanger's involvement in the Negro Project. Devised more than 60 years ago to promote sterilization and birth control among blacks, the Negro Project focused on training black ministers and doctors to take Sanger's message into minority neighborhoods. In an ambiguously worded letter to colleague Clarence Gamble dated December 10, 1939, Sanger wrote: "The minister's work is also important and also he should be trained, perhaps by the Federation as to our ideals and the goal that we hope to reach. We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members."

Chilling.

[mrpaige]

Originally posted by Rocketman95
Has there been anything from the RNC disavowing their relationship with this idiot?

Latest News:
For Immediate Release Contact: Bob Davis
8/7/2004 615-329-9595

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP URGES VOTERS TO REJECT 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE

The Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee passed a strongly worded resolution today calling on voters to oppose congressional candidate James Hart. Hart, a candidate in the 8th congressional district, has expressed support for a concept he calls "favored races." The resolution called Hart's views "abhorrent and outrageous" and urged all Republicans and Tennesseans to reject his candidacy.

http://www.tngop.org/News/index.asp

[Rocketman95]

Originally posted by mrpaige
Latest News:
For Immediate Release Contact: Bob Davis
8/7/2004 615-329-9595

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP URGES VOTERS TO REJECT 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE

The Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee passed a strongly worded resolution today calling on voters to oppose congressional candidate James Hart. Hart, a candidate in the 8th congressional district, has expressed support for a concept he calls "favored races." The resolution called Hart's views "abhorrent and outrageous" and urged all Republicans and Tennesseans to reject his candidacy.

http://www.tngop.org/News/index.asp

Excellent!

[Baqui99]

Originally posted by mrpaige
Latest News:
For Immediate Release Contact: Bob Davis
8/7/2004 615-329-9595

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP URGES VOTERS TO REJECT 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE

The Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee passed a strongly worded resolution today calling on voters to oppose congressional candidate James Hart. Hart, a candidate in the 8th congressional district, has expressed support for a concept he calls "favored races." The resolution called Hart's views "abhorrent and outrageous" and urged all Republicans and Tennesseans to reject his candidacy.

http://www.tngop.org/News/index.asp

Good to hear that the GOP finally puts an end to this madness.

[andymoon]

Originally posted by mrpaige
Latest News:
For Immediate Release Contact: Bob Davis
8/7/2004 615-329-9595

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP URGES VOTERS TO REJECT 8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE

The Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee passed a strongly worded resolution today calling on voters to oppose congressional candidate James Hart. Hart, a candidate in the 8th congressional district, has expressed support for a concept he calls "favored races." The resolution called Hart's views "abhorrent and outrageous" and urged all Republicans and Tennesseans to reject his candidacy.

http://www.tngop.org/News/index.asp

Good for them. It is nice to see that the GOP is disavowing this guy.

[bigtexxx]

Interesting that the Republicans frequently get labeled racists. What short memories some have in this country. The Republicans were the ones who freed the slaves, lest we forget. I think a lot of people equate not supporting AA to being racist, which is quite far from the truth.

[Rockets R' Us]

Originally posted by bigtexxx
Interesting that the Republicans frequently get labeled racists. What short memories some have in this country. The Republicans were the ones who freed the slaves, lest we forget. I think a lot of people equate not supporting AA to being racist, which is quite far from the truth. The event you are looking for happened around Nixon...

[andymoon]

Originally posted by bigtexxx
Interesting that the Republicans frequently get labeled racists. What short memories some have in this country. The Republicans were the ones who freed the slaves, lest we forget. I think a lot of people equate not supporting AA to being racist, which is quite far from the truth.

So you are going to pull out 140 year old "evidence" to prove that the Republicans aren't historically racist???

In the immortal words of Eddie Murphy, "What have you done for me lately, Eddie?"

You need to remember the actions of the GOP circa 1950-1970 before you sling that crap.

[mrpaige]

Originally posted by andymoon
You need to remember the actions of the GOP circa 1950-1970 before you sling that crap.

If you're going to judge by that time period, you're going to end up with a lot of Southern Democrats being in the same boat.

[Woofer]

And almost all of them turned into Republicans. Lincoln was the last Republican who would not have been endorsed by the KKK. :)

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by bigtexxx
Interesting that the Republicans frequently get labeled racists. What short memories some have in this country. The Republicans were the ones who freed the slaves, lest we forget. I think a lot of people equate not supporting AA to being racist, which is quite far from the truth.


The Republicans of then are not the same as the one we have now (and this has been stressed a millions time but people like bigtexxx still willfully refuse to see the light).

Also, the racist south of ante bellum America is still about what we have today and they are predominantly republicans.

This is not a misinformation - Republicans are more likely to be labelled racist that any other in America today. The fact or perception is/was not founded on ignorance rather documented history of the said group or rather members of that group.

[bigtexxx]

Originally posted by Fegwu
This is not a misinformation - Republicans are more likely to be labelled racist that any other in America today. The fact or perception is/was not founded on ignorance rather documented history of the said group or rather members of that group.

Please list for me all the racist actions of Republicans in the past 10 years (the "Republicans of today", as you refer to them as). Please indicate how these actions compare and contrast to those of the Democrats, while you're at it. Thanks in advance.

You people are really stretching things to label Republicans as racist. This kook in Tennessee is not supported by Republicans.

[SamFisher]

Originally posted by bigtexxx
Please list for me all the racist actions of Republicans in the past 10 years (the "Republicans of today", as you refer to them as). Please indicate how these actions compare and contrast to those of the Democrats, while you're at it. Thanks in advance.

You people are really stretching things to label Republicans as racist. This kook in Tennessee is not supported by Republicans.
That would actually be rather easy, but boring; anyway, you explain the "Southern Strategy" to me.

Texxx, did you actually not know that southern democrats fled to the Republican party over its stance on civil rights issues in the 70's and 80's? Or did you actually know it and were hoping that you could slip it by somebody?

Tell Jorge I said hello.