Herenton and Cohen: Congressional Battle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Congressman Steve Cohen and former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton continued to take shots at each other as they race to the finish line.

It's now just a little more than three weeks until the election that will decide the representative for the 9th congressional district.

The candidates didn't hold back today.

Herenton said Cohen's African American supporters need to get off the congressman's plantation.

Cohen said Herenton refuses to take up the issues in a debate.

Both claim to be the candidate that best represents the ninth district.

In a news conference turned love fest, Congressman Steve Cohen declared himself the candidate with the most support. Cohen surrounded himself by both black and white elected officials as well as candidates in next month's election, introducing his supporters by name.

"Randy Wade, a democratic candidate for sheriff, my brother from another mother. Speak!" said Cohen.

For supporters not present, Cohen read from a list of democratic politicians, from city council members to state senators who he said endorse him and are ready to help get the 9th district's business done.

"To do the best for Memphis, We've got a great city, we just have to work together and embrace diversity," said Cohen.

Cohen's challenger, former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton said it's the voters in the 9th congressional, not politicians, who endorse his campaign.

"If any African American stood with Cohen today as an endorsement, they ought to feel embarrassed," said Herenton.

Herenton also challenged Cohen to a televised debate on the issues.

"The question that needs to be raised with Congressman Cohen, why wouldn't you agree to debate Herenton on Fox," said Herenton.

But Cohen said he already showed up for one debate and sat on stage alone.

"Public officials, candidates, office holders, have a duty to answer questions from the public and the press, and not to choose. That doesn't happen in America," said Cohen.
"Why can't he just represent the district in an honorable way and stop all this plantation mentality that he's projecting," said Herenton.