"I Don't See Color"

Today's New York Times features an editorial denouncing the G.O.P.'s racist attack ad in the Tennessee Senate race, which has a provocative blond lady salaciously inviting Rep. Harold Ford Jr. to call her. Outrage over the ad has been sweeping through the liberal media for a couple of days now, aimed at the G.O.P. for having authorized the ad, although the G.O.P. has denied any responsibility for it.

According to Ken Mehlman, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, “We didn’t have anything to do with creating it.” Nevertheless, the disclaimer at the end of the ad stipulates quite otherwise.

The real issue here, however, isn't who authorized the ad, but the fact that the ad itself might help to affect the outcome of the election. The fact that either the G.O.P. or its sibling "independent" affiliate would believe that such racial biggotry could easily be exploited indicates that racism and the fear that feeds it still holds a powerful sway in this country.