In Mississippi's First District, Southaven Mayor Greg Davis agreed in 2001 to accept a plaque as a gift from the Council of Conservative Citizens, thanking the town for flying the state flag in the midst of a controversy over the flag's Confederate emblems, according to press reports at the time.
There was a brief public outcry, during which Davis initially defended accepting the gift from the CCC, which is well-known for espousing doctrines of "racial integrity." In the end though, Davis declined the gift. The episode involving the CCC hasn't emerged as an issue in the current campaign -- yet. But Davis won a seriously contested primary, and might just be vulnerable against Prentiss County clerk Travis Childers, the Dem challenger.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Greg Davis and the 2001 Plauque from the Council of Conservative Citizens
Talking Points Memo brought to light something I had not heard here in Mississippi. This is not say Davis is a white supremecist, but at the very least his politics bring their praise. TPM had this to say.
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It is interesting to see some national coverage of the race.
ReplyDeleteI'm not happy that it only comes when it fits into the national media frame of southern whites as racist (albeit Republican).
I knew about this, but he did decline the gift which is more than we can say for some people.
Thanks for posting this, it's good to see what the national folks are saying.
While I commend him for declining the award, I must wonder what actions might merit such praise from a hate organization. I doubt that Childers ever made their finalist list.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like he got the gift for flying the Confederate flag. The CCC folks love their Confederate flag.
ReplyDeleteGood on him for turning down the plaque. Get Donna Ladd to tell you about the CCC, because she's written about them a good bit--they basically grew like a proverbial turd blossom out of the ashes of the White Citizen's Counsel when it became less socially acceptable, and openly preach "white pride," European-American cultural identity, an end to non-white immigration, and an end to interracial marriage. They're bad news.
They love the stars n' bars, though, and the flag referendum was probably their heyday. Why our leaders didn't get rid of the damn thing in the legislature like every other Dixie state, instead of calling a referendum that they knew would affirm the old flag design, is beyond me.
That's "White Citizen's Council." It's late and my brain is freezing.
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty weak. And doesn't help Childers one iota. Trying to use race like this is the MO of Washington Democrats. Just further proof that if Childers really believes in all the things he is saying he does, he would not align himself with a national party that believes in none of those things.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican attack machine is humming on the air waves now. They are twisting facts to give the impression that Childers ran a bad nursing home.
ReplyDeleteI would hope that the Childers campaign can response effectively by making Greg Davis the issue. Can Greg run a decent, issue oriented campaign or can he not win without mud slinging? I would also love to see ads of some of the residents of Childer's nursing home, telling what a good place it is and shaming Greg Davis for using desperation tactics.
I honestly don't know about the nursing home ad that's coming from RCCC, but I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for find one of these elderly people at one of these nursing homes to talk to you. They usually love visitors. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, it doesn't excuse the idea of getting a plaque and making it sound like hoods were handed out. I guess I may be over-reacting, but it seems like the Dems think every Pub is a gun-toting, redneck who hates black peole and it gets old. You can be Christian, conservative, etc. w/o being racist. Even intelligent. If all they have is a plaque, then they don't have anything.
Well, when you have a candidate who would plausibly receive a plaque from the CCC but could not plausibly receive a plaque from the NAACP, I think that indicates a problem.
ReplyDeleteIt's a problem that many Republicans need to confront--how to push a conservative fiscal policy agenda without finding themselves in league with bitter racists who are excited because they think, correctly, that cuts in welfare and public education stick it to millions of black Americans.
nemsblogger:
ReplyDeleteYou said this: "Regardless, it doesn't excuse the idea of getting a plaque and making it sound like hoods were handed out."
The plaque story was on 1 national liberal blog. It hasn't been mentioned in ANY Childers or Democratic Party communication (I should know, I get the releases). Nor has it been in Mississippi press.
Guys we can toss this mess around forever, but at the end of the day, the fact remains that Greg Davis has NEVER once ran on his own merit. ot in the primaries and not now. He has not been pinned down to ONE issue that did not include some lying smeary negative comment about the other candidates. How in the heck do even the staunch REPUBS (which before this race included ME) think that this man will be any different in Washington than he has been in Southhaven. He is a mamby pamby yes man who is self-serving, self-seeking and he will not change if he changes locations.
ReplyDeleteA man's character is defined by his past and present behaviors and actions. NOW compare the two, drop the party title and honestly see which one you want in the foxhole with you when the battle heats up.
My position is Childers..he has a proven track record, has not had to even mention any other candidate in his campaign and has run on his own merit. He addresses issues without comparing himself with anyone else and his track record for the past 20 years proves WHO HE IS...NOW! He hasn't changed, he hasn't wavered, he hasn't had to apologize for anything. Lies are lies and the good people of North MS are not stupid enough to buy them. The Davis smear tactics do nothing but insult the intelligence of voters in this state. And we don't take to kindly to insults!
Childers is attacking, DNCC is on his behalf. So, that argument is negated. Appears he stayed positive until he got money from DC.
ReplyDelete