General Discussion
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We were watching the program about the summer of 1964, when many rode to Mississippi to register black voters. When three were murdered, when many were harassed.
And then the Democratic convention, when many black demanded to be seated.
And we were thinking of the coincidence of primary elections today in Mississippi.
And we were thinking that the hatred to black people still exists, only being manifested differently.
The Blue Flower
(5,450 posts)Very moving.
mississippi62
(75 posts)Cochran's last minute strategy was an effort to appeal to black voters. That seems to have paid off - current totals show him winning by a little more than 6k votes. It is possible that the small number of voters who chose to "crossover" were the ones that put him over the top.
Black citizens of this state are terrified by Chris McDaniel. He has militia groups recruiting at his campaign stops. He associates with secessionists and "former" klansmen. This guy is filth.
Under Mississippi's open primary system, voters who participated in the Democratic primary were not allowed to vote today in the Republican runoff. If you voted in the GOP primary OR did not vote on June 3rd then you could participate in election today. These non-voters were the "crossover" Democrats that were targeted by the Cochran campaign.
One of the saddest stories today came from a Washington Post reporter who was stationed at one of the polling places in Jackson (largely black precinct). An elderly black couple were turned away because they had voted in the Democratic primary three weeks ago. The husband was furious and protested loudly when asked to leave. They knew the rules but wanted to try to cast 2 more votes for Thad. This couple is old enough to remember life under Jim Crow. And they are scared that those days could return.
Cochran's victory is not much comfort. Tea Party Republicans control the Mississippi legislature. They are rolling back voting rights as quickly as possible. I don't know what is going to happen in this state.
question everything
(47,569 posts)and what was strange that the McDaniel supporter said that it was a "felony" if you vote in one party primary but then vote for the other party in the general elections. Clearly trying to scare Democrats who crossed over but in November will vote for the Democrat. (Not much chance for such a win, I suppose).
And Matthews constantly tried to get an answer to his question: how are you going to enforce this rule? But the guest never replied.
mississippi62
(75 posts)Tea Party PACs kept threatening to send poll watchers. Nobody showed up but the threat was meant to keep "crossover" voters away.