Who were the controversial Willie Horton ads aimed at?

I was a voter during that election and it never occurred to me that there was any racial element or issue involved. As I saw the ads, it was simply that a governor allowed a convicted rapist, murderer to go back on the streets.

Deadly Sushi, to blame one mans actions on another is irresponsible. Many states have had the same crimes, just not a governor running for president.

This was not the first dirty ad but it marked an escalation of "exaggeration" in political ads. It's only got worse now, with outright lies being accepted where they should be called out. The press has failed us in this regard.