How to listen for racism on the campaign trail

Colorado billboard
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo.: A detail of a 2009 billboard questioning President Barack Obama's American citizenship and lampooning him as an Islamic jihadist stood over a used car lot.
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Conservatives and liberals alike have accused GOP candidates of dog-whistling — the use of coded, ambiguous language to appeal to the prejudices of certain subsets of voters. Is this a major problem on the campaign trail? How can we listen for dog-whistling?

Kerri's guest are Jeffrey Goldberg, national correspondent for The Atlantic and a recipient of the National Magazine Award for Reporting, and Jason Johnson, professor of political science and communications at Hiram College in northeast Ohio.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.