Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

Photo courtesy of here.

Prosecutor Joe Deters, McCain local rep, linked to racist ramblings

While everyone talks about John McCain’s speech to the NAACP during the national convention here in Cincinnati, the lesser known story concerns the racist ramblings apparently endorsed by his regional campaign chair for Southwest Ohio (and Hamilton County prosecutor)—Joe Deters.  During the primaries, McCain was quick to distance himself from local loudmouth Willie Cunningham after the radio personality referred to Barack Obama with his middle name, Hussein.  But aren’t the disgusting ramblings of Jim Schifrin (pictured to your right) in The Whistleblower more inappropriate than Obama’s full name?  Back in May, The Beacon attempted to contact Joe Deters about his apparent connections to Schifrin.

Deters failed to respond after multiple attempts.

Here is the original letter I sent Deters:

Mr. Deters:

I’m reporting a story about the following item published May 2nd in The Whistleblower, the longtime political tattler newsletter put out by Jim Schifrin, who uses the nom de plume “Charles Foster Kane.” I’d appreciate your answers to some questions.

From: http://thecincinnatusstandard.com/Blower_May_2_2008.htm

Tuesday when Charles Foster Kane and “JayWalking Joe” Deters were having lunch at the Boathouse, the Hamilton County Prosecutor was telling our Beloved Whistleblower Publisher how many yoofs have been arrested since January 2008 along the crack track of the proposed Trolley Folly through the Killing Fields of Over-the-Rhine. You still won’t believe that number. Which is probably why Hess & Eisenhardt would have to armor plate the trolleys.

1) Is it true that you had lunch with Mr. Schifrin as he claims? If so, do you regularly meet with or communicate with him? If so, how often?

As you may know, Mr. Schifrin’s newsletter is filled with racial slurs against African Americans. In fact, the above paragraph is a relatively mild example. For instance, Mr. Schifrin has called Mayor Mallory a “darkie” and referred to Rosa Blackwell as a “mammy.” Mr. Schifrin’s newsletter is also peppered with derogatory remarks against women, gays, and others.

2) What is your reaction to this type of writing?

I look forward to receiving your answers in the next few days.

Sincerely,

The Cincinnati Beacon

cc:

Mark Mallory, Mayor

Rosa Blackwell

Christopher Smitherman, President
NAACP Cincinnati

Dan Yount, Editor
The Cincinnati Herald

Jim Schifrin

If Deters wants to play with the likes of Schifrin, that’s one thing, but now that he is the regional chair of a major presidential candidate, the game has changed a bit.  McCain was quick to distance himself from Cunningham’s use of Obama’s middle name.  How can the campaign have a chair who won’t distance himself from calling Cincinnati’s first directly elected African American mayor a “darkie”? 

Especially given this backdrop of the national NAACP convention. 

That’s why I just sent the following email to McCain campaign figures:

To Whom It May Concern:

During the primaries, John McCain distanced himself from local radio personality Willie Cunningham for using Obama’s middle name during an introduction to McCain.  Recently, Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters was named as a regional chair for McCain’s Ohio campaign. 

There is an infamous rag sheet that circulates around town called “The Whistleblower,” and it frequently uses racist language—referring to Mayor Mark Mallory as “darkie,” or Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools Rosa Blackwell as “mammy.” This rag’s writer, Jim Scrifrin, boasts about his relationship with Deters, claiming to have lunch with Deters while receiving information for his rag sheet.

Back in May, we asked Deters about this apparent relationship.  He refused to respond to multiple requests. 

Does the John McCain presidential campaign have an opinion on its regional chairs having such apparent relationships with the likes of such offensive and racist language?

Thanks, and I look forward to your reply.

Respectfully,

The Dean of Cincinnati

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