So what we have here is a demonstration of how Jesse Helms obtained "earned media."
Simply take a position that liberal reporters and editorial page writers oppose on the gut level. Liberals don't recognize an opposing point of view because they think they have adopted the only rational position. They simply can't resist reporting something like this, thinking the world will react to it the way they have. What they can't understand are the numbers who suspect Victoria Jackson may be correct.
Politicians take note. Controversy is the key to getting the media's attention, a sure fire way to use a hostile media culture to get your message out. It takes skillful care, but it proved to be dynamite for Jesse Helms.
People in California despised the man, but a majority of voters sent him back to the U.S. Senate time after time. And no Republican in more than a century regularly shaved 30 percent of the black vote.
Tell the truth, provocatively and choose your battles instead of allowing the media to choose them for you.
When outrage is sparked without refutation, chances are very good you are doing something right.