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.