Open Thread: Mary Frances Berry on 'Tainting the Tea Party'

Mary Frances Berry, the former chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, writing in Politico:

Tainting the tea party movement with the charge of racism is proving to be an effective strategy for Democrats. There is no evidence that tea party adherents are any more racist than other Republicans, and indeed many other Americans. But getting them to spend their time purging their ranks and having candidates distance themselves should help Democrats win in November. Having one’s opponent rebut charges of racism is far better than discussing joblessness.

Prominent black conservatives have denounced the remarks, and yet the MSM meme remains — based on no evidence — that the Tea Party is a racist organization.That’s because it fits the narrative.

And once you remember that nearly every MSM reporter is a frustrated and/or failed screenwriter, you can begin to understand how important the narrative is to them.

It’s the only story they have.