Sanford: ‘Discriminatory, exclusionary ignorance’ is Republican DEI
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., speaks during a television news interview at the Capitol in Washington June 14. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP file)
Otis Sanford
Otis Sanford is a political columnist, author and professor emeritus in Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis.
Now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race and the old shoe is on the other foot, Republicans suddenly must alter how they plan to attack the opposition in the bid for the presidency.
And a congressman from East Tennessee appears ready to lead the way — except his method is steeped in racism, sexism and ignorance and it promises to make the Republican Party of 2024 look more like the party of 1964.
The congressman in question is Tim Burchett, who represents Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers communities in and around Knoxville. No doubt most Memphians either have never heard of Burchett or know little about the three-term U.S. House member who hails from the Gibbs community and once served as Knox County mayor.
Topics
Subscriber Only Kamala Harris opinionThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization with a hybrid business model, we rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and miscellaneous earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Otis Sanford on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Otis Sanford's stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Two years post Dobbs, Planned Parenthood says Tennessee in ‘state of crisis’
Since the abortion ban, more than 10,000 individuals have left Tennessee to get abortions. “This is impacting our state in all sorts of ways,” said Ashley Coffield, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi.
Sanford: GOP effort to oust Mulroy is ‘Taylor-made’ political fight
Everywhere Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor has served — with the possible exception of the Shelby County Election Commission — public disputes and rancor have followed.
Who the heck is Prince Mongo? And he ran for Memphis mayor?!
For Memphis newcomers, the idea of an “alien prince” who calls the Bluff City home may seem stranger than fiction. During his brushes with the law and various elections, Mongo would often wear green body paint, a silver wig and a loincloth — but never any shoes.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.