As The Herenton Turns

Media ploy.

Plain and simple.

The mayor of Memphis took over the blogosphere and much of Memphis news last night hinting that he might run against Rep. Steve Cohen in the 9th district. Excuse me as I pick myself off the ground from the laughter.

Why am I laughing, you ask. It’s not a Ha-Ha that’s funny guffaw but more of one where I smirk and roll my eyes.

Because sitting over here on the sidelines in the 8th district, I’ve seen Willie Herenton do antics like this time and time again. I don’t know all the ins and out of Shelby County politics, and I own that, but I do know that he likes to dance with the media, a playful game of seduction that gives him headlines when times get a little tough for him.

And they are a bit tough right now, regardless of what one might think. He always has something going on.

Polar Donkey says this for some background:

Perhaps, or maybe additionally, how would the politician with the aforementioned investigators on his tail, undermine a possible coming indictment. You politicize it. If you declare you are running for an important office before an indictment, it casts doubt on the motivations of that indictment. Maybe its a conspiracy to keep him out of office? In an Obama Presidency I don’t know how much weight this will still carry but that might be a brier patch the Justice Department just doesn’t want to get into.

Herenton knows what he’s doing. Simply, it’s a public relations weapon of mass distraction.

Cohen has been good for Memphis and for the state. Herenton wants you to look at something bright and shiny to avoid what’s going on in his town right now.

So he says he’s taking on Cohen and everyone is going to talk about that instead of the storm that usually surrounds him.

Memphis old school politics is always intriguing to me because it is an art form that I think you have to live in Memphis to understand. It’s like watching a situation comedy that’s not very funny with a loud laugh track.

But, you know, I’m kind of smitten with Memphis politics nonetheless and I keep on watching. I’m going to make some popcorn. I’ll be over here in Hoots watching with bated breath.