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

[wtgthin2000]

It is time we American stand up and take back our country from all the race-baiting pundits that are stirring the pot of hatred in this country. We need to show everyone, world-wide that we can and will elect the person that is best capable of leading our country out of the mess that 8 years of George Bush has wrought.

That person is Barack Obama. Senator McCain and Gov. Palin haven't a clue. Senator McCain is too distracted and incapable of giving the attention and thought needed to direct our country. Gov. Palin is not even worthy of a comment.

Americans stand up and vote. Vote with your minds and hearts.

[JenIA]

Remember this and if you haven't watched it, it's well worth 7 minutes of your time.

Union President Defends Obama Against Racism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/union-president-defends-o_n_131954.html

Would love to see AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka out on the stump from now until November 4th!

[ECB]

WV residents - REALLY ! what have the Repubs ever done for you like since like say forever ? REALLY!

[w&cheneysuck]

"When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power the world will know peace" --James Marshall Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix)...

[foxbat]

Very curious indeed. Sean Quinn, at 538.com had a piece on Western PA the other day where he was talking about racism being a luxury in this economy ... a luxury that many can't/won't afford. From his article:

"So a canvasser goes to a woman's door in Washington, Pennsylvania. Knocks. Woman answers. Knocker asks who she's planning to vote for. She isn't sure, has to ask her husband who she's voting for. Husband is off in another room watching some game. Canvasser hears him yell back, "We're votin' for the n***er!" "Woman turns back to canvasser, and says brightly and matter of factly: "We're voting for the n***er.""

I'm somewhat baffled as to how to take this. The contrast in messages is striking, but perhaps there's a crack at progress in overcoming racism; especially if perceptions can be changed in some people once Obama's had a chance to perform or in just seeing how many people in the country are NOT afraid. I'm optimistic that some people that hold quasi-racist views will be positively changed by the experience of this election.

Here's the full article if anyone would care to read it: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-western-pennsylvania.html

[standforpeace]

One of the things that many of us do is demonize those who express racist or sexist or homophobic attitudes. That's understandable since these expressions are so emotionally hurtful (in addition to having the potential to impact physical safety as well as economic well being) to their victims. However, in doing so we lose sight of the fact that most people are who they are because of socialization, life experiences, etc. That means that there is a possibility that new circumstances can cause folks to reexamine their thinking. And with crisis comes the opportunity for change. Because of the dire economic situation some white voters will do something that they might have thought unthinkable a few months ago -- they will vote for the black candidate. For some this will be a one time act that does nothing to change their underlying attitudes. However, for some the act of doing this is going to shift their thinking. If we want to see this kind of more fundamental change we need to welcome these folks into the coalition, meet them where they are, and see if we can't them further down the road to a vision of a country where we truly judge foliks by the content of their character rather than by the color of their skin.

[EarthToZoey]

I haven't lost hope that West Virginia will come around. They may not vote for a black man this year, but if Obama is elected and shows them he is a good man who cares for all Americans -- maybe then they will rethink some of those prejudices. I hope.

[Julie02]

I venture to say that Black people have never done anything to West Virginians to make them prejudiced, they are prejudiced based on ignorance or insecurity. Obama is not obligated to be a representation of African-Americans. He's only obligated to be the best President he can be for us all.

[Topfeeder]

Come on West Virginians, this is your time too. Hope and change will look good on you.

[MrPastel]

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

[Grundoono]

Aw, that's sweet.

[RenoSage]

I HAVE A DREAM that one day the people of the impoverished hills of West Virginia will one day
judge politicians not by the color of their skin but the content of their character. Will this be the day?

[berryessence]

I believe MLK was actually looking at Obama when he said those words!

[YouDisgustMe]

LOLOL

[AZterritory]

Uneducated does NOT mean these people aren't smart--how about those 440 union coal miners? You go West Virginia!!!

[scooperss]

You're absolutely correct.
We're smart enough to know hunting and fishing aren't values.

[bluekatz]

Yes, W VA has some things to overcome but its all in education and I think they are getting an education in how not to judge a book by its cover.

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

That's not "education" That's having your moral compass pointing in the right direction. (perhaps they really are the salt of the earth) If WV goes for Obama, , the whole country should salute reevaluate any negative opinion of the state.

[bitemeredstate]

I amazed a Democrat could be competitive in West Virginia at all.

[scooperss]

Why?
We have a dem governor, 2 dem senators and 2 dem house members.

[hogoza]

I don't get it! How does one become a racist? I would love to test it for a minute and see if i like it! Please help me? I just don't understand...
Then at least vote for Biden.

[MargaretO]

McCain has stepped into a new low. He's now throwing around the "socialism" card just like the trolls who cannot defend their position. Next up, he'll refer to Hitler - you wait and see, just like the trolls.

[norkas]

Not a normal person would ever believe that Mc Cain cares about the average person. Mc Cain is so far out of touch with the middle calls that is is a comedy when he pretend he cares.

Many very welathy people may have a second house but there is hardle any of them that have 7 homes. Warren Buffet has one home and he is a billionaire.

I know some millionaires who hae 2 homes but 7 homes now that is totally out of touch.

He does not give a damn about thr poor and middle calss and it is frighting to many not just Democrats. Many Republicans are in the middle class also and allot of them are waking up.

Mc Cain does get very strong support from the Extreme Right which is so very dangerous to the future of America and its freedom ,

Mc Cain is proud to have these supportes who have lots of hatred and no compassion for there fellow people.

Mc Cain is truly lost his ability to think normally and now loosing allot more Republicans that know he will never be a good canidaite for Pres.

[MaggieMamacat]

he's already gone there...remember his comparison when throngs cheered for Obama in Germany? Gee, I thought seeing Europeans wave American flags was a GOOD thing. McCain didn't.

[monicaangela]

Is john McCain complaining about the fraudulent election results in West Virginia?