Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Republican Race Baiting

Every election.

Corzine, Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) Condemn NRSC

“Race Baiting” Ad in Oklahoma



Corzine Calls on NRSC to Take Down Ad, Says

“Black Hands” Ad Reminiscent Jesse Helms Race Baiting Ads of the Past



http://www.dscc.org/ads/ok_nrsc



Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM), joined together today in condemning an ad being run by the National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) in Oklahoma on immigration which Corzine referred to as race baiting and "appealing to the worst" in people. Corzine called on the NRSC to take the ad down immediately. Corzine said the ad, which shows haunting images of Hispanic farm workers and black hands receiving welfare dollars in attacking Congressman Brad Carson's immigration record, "is counter to a productive political discourse."

"Unfortunately, negative attack ads have become a regular occurrence in political campaigns. However, the 'black hands' ad the NRSC is running in Oklahoma crosses the line and runs counter to any kind of productive political discourse," Corzine said. "What happened to leadership that unites, not divides? This ad is a clear example of race baiting and attempting to appeal to the public's worst instincts. The NRSC should take this ad down now and apologize to our nations Hispanic and African American populations. This as is as wrong today as the Jesse Helms 'white hands' ad of a previous era."

“At a time when the Republican Party claims to be reaching out to Hispanic voters, once again their actions speak louder than their words. Stereotypical images that increase racial tensions and play against our fears contribute nothing to the political debate and represent a step backward to the divisive politics of the past," Governor Bill Richardson said.