One always gets in trouble making simple observations about regional differences about anything, though I think the difference in the race-baiting tactics in the Tennessee senate race and the Mass. governor’s race offer up a wee lesson on the differences in regional racist thinking.
In the Northeast the appeal to racism involves a general association between being black and urban criminality.
In the South it apparently involves the notion that black men are jungle animals who are going to sleep with all “your” white women, who will all be overcome by their animal magnetism.
Actually, in the more modern cities, you see a lot more of the former than the latter: in Atlanta, for example, plans to increase the reach of transit to the white suburbs were always defeated by the residents of those suburbs because “transit equals crime.” I rode MARTA a lot, bus and train, and I never once saw anyone carry a TV or bag of jewelry onboard. I always figured thieves used cars that same as everyone else — to gain some control over their mobility and schedule. Nothing worse than ripping off some rich white folks and then getting busted at the bus stop.