FAST FACTS:
Chism says qualifications most important in 9th congressional district race Says race is an issue but not THE issue Religion not an issue at all
(Memphis 9/23/2009) Sidney Chism's laugh will shake the foundation of a house.
His laugh sometimes covers a fact about Chism, he's a former official with the Teamsters Union. Sidney Chism has represented blacks, whites, Jews and Christians. "In the Union," he says "...everybody is created equal."
In the 9th Congressional District race, Chism says the same thing. "That seat was created," he said, "...so we could have...understand what I'm saying...COULD have a Black representative. COULD have. Not would have, or will have. Because the voters of that community will make that decision."
Sidney Chism sometimes confuses people. He can make that statement, and then moments later say "I feel that 90% of the Jewish vote is going to support Steve Cohen in the 9th Congressional District race. I don't have a problem with that," Chism says. "Because Steve's one of them. I don't have a problem with that."
Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, a close friend of Chism's, has said he thinks race is THE issue in the 9th Congressional race. And just last week, in a New York Times article, Chism was quoted as saying "This seat was set aside for people who look like me. It wasn't set aside for a Jew or a Christian."
Now, a bit of a different tune from Chism. Religion isn't an issue, he says. "Whether He's Jewish or Christian, it wouldn't be an issue at all. I don't think religion or any other factor is an issue in this campaign. I'm just saying it's alright for the Jewish Community to support Steve 100% and they will." Chism says nobody says anything about that, but when he says "I want my congressman to look like me," people call him a racist. "There's nothing racist about that statement at all," Chism says.
No comment from Congressman Steve Cohen. His press secretary says the 9th District Democrat was busy working on items in the House of Representatives.
Chism says qualifications most important in 9th congressional district race Says race is an issue but not THE issue Religion not an issue at all
(Memphis 9/23/2009) Sidney Chism's laugh will shake the foundation of a house.
His laugh sometimes covers a fact about Chism, he's a former official with the Teamsters Union. Sidney Chism has represented blacks, whites, Jews and Christians. "In the Union," he says "...everybody is created equal."
In the 9th Congressional District race, Chism says the same thing. "That seat was created," he said, "...so we could have...understand what I'm saying...COULD have a Black representative. COULD have. Not would have, or will have. Because the voters of that community will make that decision."
Sidney Chism sometimes confuses people. He can make that statement, and then moments later say "I feel that 90% of the Jewish vote is going to support Steve Cohen in the 9th Congressional District race. I don't have a problem with that," Chism says. "Because Steve's one of them. I don't have a problem with that."
Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, a close friend of Chism's, has said he thinks race is THE issue in the 9th Congressional race. And just last week, in a New York Times article, Chism was quoted as saying "This seat was set aside for people who look like me. It wasn't set aside for a Jew or a Christian."
Now, a bit of a different tune from Chism. Religion isn't an issue, he says. "Whether He's Jewish or Christian, it wouldn't be an issue at all. I don't think religion or any other factor is an issue in this campaign. I'm just saying it's alright for the Jewish Community to support Steve 100% and they will." Chism says nobody says anything about that, but when he says "I want my congressman to look like me," people call him a racist. "There's nothing racist about that statement at all," Chism says.
No comment from Congressman Steve Cohen. His press secretary says the 9th District Democrat was busy working on items in the House of Representatives.
