If the notorious Willie Horton ad must be referenced every time the news media mention former president George H.W. Bush, who died last week, there should at least be a real explanation about the connection. Bush was pointing out the consequences of his Michael Dukakis’ insane policy of giving holidays from prison to the most worst convicted criminals.
New York Times liberal writer Frank Bruni, in a column published Tuesday that was intended to be semi-favorable toward Bush, called the Horton ad “despicable.” A Washington Post item on Monday attempted to explain how the 1988 Horton ad “factors into George H.W. Bush’s legacy,” describing it as “one that stoked racial stereotypes…” The popular left-leaning Vox website said the ad “will always be the reference point for dog-whistle racism.”
