On Tuesday, NAC briefly considered the District 72 race, pitting longtime Democratic incumbent Bill Cochran against Republican challenger Ed Clere.
I’m getting a strong sense that several readers want to discuss this a bit further, so here’s the chance. My voting preference remains with Clere, but at the same time, I’m glad that El Bastard posted this comment last night.
I recently received a flier in my mailbox (one of many) from the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee which helped me decide to vote against Cochran’s opponent. The flier depicts a filthy hand gripping a switchblade, and reads “Bill Cochran voted against increasing the penalty for cult and ritualistic child abusers.” The flier purports this to be “HB 1335 (roll call 80) 1994.” A quick search of the internet reveals only a marriage bill named HB 1335. However, this isn’t the point. The point is that I’m pissed off by the GOP’s fear-mongering in this case. This alleged bill is dated 14 years ago, and most educated people regard ritual abuse to be little more than a myth. Unless Clere speaks up and denounces these scare tactics, I’m voting for Cochran.
Larry Summers answered:
Ed did not know anything about the literature that was sent out by the party prior to being notified by people like me.
In fact, months ago he was told that the party was going to focus on other political races rather than his. It has been a surprise to me, someone that has followed his campaign very closely, that the state has even changed course.
Thanks, Larry, and I understand the propaganda’s off-premise source, but I’m with El Bastard on this point. Our household has received at least three different versions of the flier in question, and speaking personally, I find them abhorrent in the same appeal-to-utter-stupidity manner of the antique dealer’s casual racism. Surely there’s a higher plane of discussion as pertains to this interesting race, particularly from those who attended the face-to-face at S. Ellen Jones on Tuesday.
Experience vs. new ideas? Discussion, anyone?
