West Virginia Polls Tighten -- Race Takes Backseat

Politico:

West Virginia's Democratic leaders on Saturday embarked on a winding, eight-county bus tour through the south of the state, and in one small mining town after another, they sold Barack Obama to small crowds of Democrats with remarkable directness.

"He is black" was the first thing Kenny Perdue, the state's AFL-CIO president, said. "The gentleman that's in the White House and John McCain -- they're white men. And I'm absolutely ashamed of what George W. Bush has done to this country." ...

West Virginia represents a cross-section of the voters who have been hardest for Obama to reach. It's among the oldest, whitest and least-educated states in America. It was the place where reporters found white Democrats who freely use the N-word and swore they'd never vote for Obama.

But maybe the campaigns and the press misread the depth of prejudice in West Virginia. Or maybe, since the May primary, something has changed here.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[Choicelady]

I'd spend what time is needed. W VA people are the salt of the earth. They have a long and proud history of racial cooperation in the mines and against the predatory mine owners. They seceeded from the Confederacy and have taken it in the neck economically for decades. It's a gorgeous but hard state - tough to live in. Anyone who's taken the "Coal Trail" tour - 80 plus miles you can't get off once you're on - can see how damned hard their lives are. Obama understands this - they're not much different from the steelworkers he knew in South Chicago. I once had the honor of working with the Pittston Miners in their successful strike against the company, and I had dinner with Donald Trumpka then President of the UMW, an amazing man. Those are GOOD people whose lives purely suck. Obama's folks there need to bring 'em home even if they don't initially vote for him. They will find out that Obama is on their side. A distinct change from the usual.

[harriettubman]

I've taught Cultural Diversity and I don't put any faith in a prejudiced person. The beliefs they learned as children override any common sense. You can bet on that. These people will not vote for Obama because he's black. They don't care if Bush, McCain or Cheney could care less about their welfare in life.

[JJeff88]

Earlier Post - "I don't think Obama should be wasting his time in West Virginia. He needs to sure up his lead in Ohio and Florida."

Inside scuttlebutt is that Obama recently sent two of his most able senior campaign staffers to oversee Florida operations.

It's not a matter of choosing one or two states to campaign in - at the expense of others. Team Obama has both the human and financial resources to operate effectively in every state - a good strategy since (a) it makes McCain spend money in places he doesn't want to, (b) it spreads the risk - i.e. there's a bigger pool of states that can put Obama over the top and (c) it will make it easier for President Obama to lead all Americans;not just the ones in blue states.

[Whatashame]

Obama should focus his attention on Florida and Ohio even though Ohio is as racist as Virginia. I think he is wasting his time in Virginia. Racist people always vote against their self interest. If they want to elect McCain let them do it. They will just continue to suffer economic hard ship.

[harriettubman]

I agree. A racist is as a racist does. Nothing, nothing will ever change that.

[special muppet]

This is the importance of Obama. If he gets elected and delivers, then it will be like an atomic bomb expolding in the brains of these people. We will suddenly see that race and religion become insignificant to a person's character. It sounds trite but in America, for all the pretence, this is still a major issue.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

I don't think Obama should be wasting his time in West Virginia.

He needs to sure up his lead in Ohio and Florida. They are still important states in this race.

[Tomasekbride]

WV mattered when Kennedy was running. WV does matter and when someone wants to be President spending time talking to those who are electing you is never a waste of time.

[conductrix]

Not me. Appalachia and the rest of the South has had it stuck to them so many times in the past, that it's time for Democrats to get in there and show them we care. It will be a wonderful cherry on top of our victory sundae, after all our hard work in Ohio and Florida!

Get yourselves signed up to make phone calls using the Obama campaign's neighbor-t­o-neighbor tool to swing states! We need the help! http://my.barackobama.com

[NPA]

No let them know, we are in this together weather they want to admit it or not.

[BarackstarObama]

Sounds like Morning Joe. LOL Did anyone notice Joe on Meet the Press say that Obama should go back to Florida, like he isn't going to be there for 3 rallies in the next 36 hours. LOL He honestly didn't seem to have any clue about Obama's upcoming rallies... wake up Joe!

Obama/Biden 08

[hilary916]

All states are important. It doesn't matter if they're typically red or blue. I'm happy to see Obama getting his message out in WV.

[cdmattison]

"Doc the Vote!"

Document your early vote on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30206463663

Here's the idea:
When you vote, either on the 4th or before, just bring a camera. Take a friend, take a picture of your vote.

Post your pictures, video, and comments here to encourage others to "Doc the Vote".

They can't steal it, if we record it.

[kalli007]

Thats funny because the exact same thought occurred to me over the weekend. I am so afraid that the election will be fixed, and was considering taking a picture of my vote.

[blastit]

everybody espeacially in the swing states should document their vote by taking a picture also if anything shifty happens while you're using the machines like it switching your vote to a repbulican have it documented also call the police and file a report and contact your local democratic headquater­s...

[Mugzi]

Good idea, though I don't know how effective it is. MSM is spinning crap on voter fraud which is a smokescreen to the real problem of election fraud...ha­ckable voting machines. Regardless of who wins this election, we need to make it our mission to get rid of machines. Let's do as our Canadian neighbors, paper ballots, pencil and counter oversight by both (all) parties...­the counters could be chosen much like jury duty...oh, and they have the candidate tallied by midnight..­.I can almost guarantee that won't happen here! This isn't about Republican or Democrat, it;s about right and wrong - bradblog.com

[Whatashame]

Their is not voter fraud it is voter registration. For voter fraud to take place it means that the voter fraud registration will have to get fake ID to go with the fake registration.

[bonchesva]

Americans need to forget about color or race. There is only one race, the "human" race. Obama is the person this country needs to bring back patriotism, get our economy back on track and bring our troops home from a war that should never have begun.
GET OVER THE COLOR OF ONE'S SKIN!!!! LISTEN TO THIS MAN AND YOU WILL KNOW HE IS WHAT AMERICA NEEDS!!!

[AnalyzeIT]

Great post: and the link is safe.

Original post by ; DrSeeLove 10-19-08

Join the USA Love Train - The Obama-Biden Ride.


We are family.

T­he poster said that he was having some fun yesterday and came up with this.

He states, "Guess you could call it a visual prayer for our leadership­...love leading the way."

He suggest that we. "Relax, enjoy, and pass it on."


The train is leaving the station, many of us are already on board and General Powell has just joined in on the fun.

Songs:”Love Train” and “Signed Sealed Delivered”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w13SYphB1g0

OBAMA-BIDEN
*
*

[BluePride]

I'd like to add:

A Change IS Gonna Come:
http://current.com/items/89408176_obama_2008_a_change_is_gonna_come

Yes, We Can Can:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVwpMB8QAUU

Year of Decision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSRPOCS9rlk

[dontomas]

Its seem like all over the world the more impoverished a place is the longer it takes for people to get over their conditioning. I do not blame people in WVA who are still racist, I feel sorry for them, its really not their fault. I hope with an Obama win things can progress in WVA such as better jobs, higher income and good education. Meanwhile, if they can just look at what they can gain and go Obama.

[Daw8it]

Biggest welfare program in America:

Alaska Permanent Fund - https://www.pfd.state.ak.us/

[DrSeeLove]

Wow! That's deep.

[themodernleader]

I lived in West Virginia for four years. The Mountaineers are compiled of as many self-centered, egocentric, selfish and rapacious individuals as the rest of our country. They are also compleat with neighborliness, thoughtfulness, kindness, compassion, bravery and considerateness, a sense of fairness and respect for others.
If you look West Virginiaers straight in the eye and talk a straight vision of a rational proposal for this country, they will respond to that openness and candor. Obama should make his presence felt in some of the mountain towns and the word will spread of his integrity, capacity and loyalty to this country which he is offering through work, sacrifice, sweat and tears.

[michaela75662]

Lord God, please keep him safe and from harm, his family too.

[wagthedog1001]

Amen. That brought a chill down my spine.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

As many of you have indicated, we shouldn't underestimate WV. They are very independent in their thinking and way of life, whether it leans left or right in an election cycle. That being said, it is refreshing to see O this competive there. Dems have far too long ignored red states. If you don't test the water, you don't know it's temperature. Go OBAMA!

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Another thing I found endearing was this WV response to her being impressed with Obama after watching the last debate:

"I got home from church in time to watch, and I was very impressed with Obama," she said. "He even said that night [of Ayers], 'I was 8 years old when I went to that man's house,'" she said, slightly garbling

Granted she misquoted him, but you gotta love her because she was still impressed with him. Hopefully, there was someone who corrected her. This is why it is so important for us to engage low information voters into conversations. It is the only way we will know what has been construed, whether intentionally or not. I would guess, she is a senior citizen, who was having a moment. My beloved mother has them occasionally.