Down the ballot: Cohen beats Tinker

Posted: Friday, August 08, 2008 9:06 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States, Democrats

The “racially charged Democratic primary [in Memphis, TN] ended with an incumbent congressman trouncing the opponent who ran an ad linking him to the Ku Klux Klan. Unofficial results showed Democrat Steve Cohen with 79 percent of the vote to 19 percent for Nikki Tinker, a black corporate lawyer who was his chief opponent in the district that covers Memphis, with all precincts reporting. Cohen is the first white congressman from Memphis in more than three decades and one of only two white congressmen representing a majority black district."

Also in Tennessee, freshman incumbent Rep. David Davis (R) lost to Johnson City Mayor Phil Roe by about 500 votes last night. "Being linked to 'big oil' turned into a big problem for [Davis] ..., who became the first congressman from that state to lose in a primary in more than four decades." In 2006, Davis eked out a victory over Richard Venable, Richard Roberts and Roe by a 22%-21%-18%-17% margin, respectively.

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Comments

Good! Tinker got exactly what she deserved - a big kick in the a## from the voters.

Joe - STL (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:11 AM)

I think the Republicans are in for a big hurt this November, everyone knows that they are all tied to big corporate fascists and the failed policies of the soon to be War-Criminal-in Chief "W" Bush & CO. Stay tuned for more Republicans loses!

Paul, Miami, Fl (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:11 AM)

Good. The only way for ugly ads like the ones Tinker ran to disappear is for those candidates to lose. Big.

sotiredofignorance (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:15 AM)

I wouldn't want that witch representing me either. Just looking at her and listening to her for a few seconds I got the impression she cared more about herself than someone who actually cared about others. I guess others felt that way too... that they'd rather have a jewish white guy who cared about them representing them than a black woman who seemed to only care about herself.

Just proves that being the same race/religion isn't as important as being someone who will put the best interests of their constituants ahead of their own interests.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:19 AM)

I am glad this woman lost. She is a stinker.

Helen (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:19 AM)

Wow only 2 white congressmen that represent black majority districts? Wonder how many black congressmen represent White majority districts? Gee, and us white folks are called the racist ones?

John, High Ridge (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:24 AM)

donna

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your father and your family.

I so enjoy reading your responses and posts and look forward to your return with good news about your father.

Chris, Dorr, MI (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:25 AM)

I hope this shows that these kinds of ads will blow up in the faces of those who would use them.
Tinker is a stinker and so are the repubs.

John Alexander,PA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:30 AM)

I think it's great that Tinker lost. I am a blackman and I think that her actions in that campaign was classless and unfair. She is exactly what Barrack is trying to change, the politics of division !!!!!

Ron, Phila. Pa. (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:43 AM)

Yes, she is a STINKER, and I'm glad she lost!

KYJurisDoctor (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:43 AM)

One indication that we, blacks, as a race have assimilated and come up in this country is when black politicians start running negative ads that play on hate, fear and racism. Good job Tinker!

John Krush (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:49 AM)

Amen! Congratulations to Messrs. Cohen and Roe on their decisive victories. And, a big THANK YOU to Barack Obama for denouncing Tinker's ad against Cohen. Tinker's ad was very negative, mean-spirited and divisive.
OBAMA '08

Cheryl Wilson (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:57 AM)

GO JOHN MCCAIN!! HE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN SPECIAL PRIVLEGES BY WAY OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION....

SONYA MCLAREY SACRAMENTO CA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 9:57 AM)

"Wow only 2 white congressmen that represent black majority districts? Wonder how many black congressmen represent White majority districts? Gee, and us white folks are called the racist ones?"

Zero

Sean, Cleveland, OH (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 10:10 AM)

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