If Ronald Reagan engaged in racist behavior for appealing to white southerners at the Neshoba County Fair, then so did another candidate who liberals like Paul Krugman and Bob Hebert always forget to mention.

Krugman and Herbert also forgot to chide 1988 Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis for speaking atÂ…the Neshoba County Fair! The Massachusetts governor ignored Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner on the 24^th anniversary of their murders, which were committed about 12 miles away.

So, is Michael Dukakis a racist? You know, especially since, as Kevin Drum points out, he was there seeking to appeal to white Southern conservatives. Was Dukakis a racist – especially given his failure to note that he was speaking on the ACTUAL ANNIVERSARY of the discovery of the bodies of the slain civil rights workers. So if Reagan was engaging in a racist strategy, how can Dukakis not be so condemned – unless, of course, the critics are really engaged in a rank act of political hypocrisy with their application of a double standard. Especially since, as the New York Times itself noted at the time, the fair had nearly a century of history as a prime campaign spot for candidates – one which predated the murders and which continues into the present day.

Posted by: Greg at 01:28 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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