Appalachia Only Part Of Country Where McCain Did Better Than Bush

Matthew Yglesias points out an interesting New York Times map on the one part of the country where John McCain did significantly better than George W. Bush -- Appalachia.

As Ygleias writes:

You can see why John McCain's principled stand against higher taxes on the wealthy would have a special resonance in this region. Liberals who thought race had something to do with those appeals should be ashamed of themselves.

Comments

[JackND]

Yglesias is forgetting about the wealthy Appalachian elite.

The Clampetts, and such.

[JScott]

.......That live in Beverly Hills Ca and the liberal west side of Los Angeles. (Brentwood [home of the Kirkeby Mansion used in the exterior shots in the TV show], Pacific Palisades, Mar Vista, Venice, Palms, Hollywood, Malibu and environs)

[JackND]

Not back when Jed was shootin' at some food.

[Militant Leftist]

There's a reason Deliverance was filmed in this part of the country. Think of the cross-eyed kid playing "Dueling Banjos". That being said, this report is NOT surprising. Nuff said.

[Pdubya]

did the blue cat win or the purple cat win?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqpFm7zAK90&feature=related

[sueinmn]

pretty good! thanks

[RockyMtns]

There is real financial and educational poverty in these areas.

There was also a very orchestrated movement, started by ??? (I wish I knew, I'd be really interested to have some investigative reporters dig into this in detail) to suggest that an Obama presidency would usher in the end of the world. To get these folks worked up, as if they dont have enough problems, all of this Armageddon, Anti-Christ stuff got planted and it makes me so sad and so sick that they were exploited like this and that they seemed to have accepted it. This is the third world area of our own country, largely forgotten, ridiculed and neglected. I've seen parts of West Virginia that look like shanti towns, you'd have to see it to believe it. These people need good schools, good jobs and a chance to step out of their poverty to join us in the modern age. Education, education, education.

[sueinmn]

OG how is the new orleans area red as bush left them to drown and did nothing! They need to come back to the side that will truely give a hand to help pick one up!

[j0em0mma]

that was the point of allowing Katrina to happen. The large Democratic base was driven out and far too few have or are able to return. The re-directed reconstruction money for townhouse and business development, so this really is no surprise.

[sueinmn]

so is that why south texs is so blue now??? bet them texans hate the color blue down there.

[3worldusa]

how funny is that,that one of the poorest part of our country continues to vote republican?never underestimate the uneducated ,unwealthy, dumb,god fearing morons of appalachia

[Emerald1943]

I deeply resent that remark as it applies to western NC! We are considered a part of Appalachia, and just so you know, my state went for Obama! My county went for Obama! My precinct went for Obama! And I was proud to vote for him!

Appalachia has always been left out when it came to education and opportunities for growth. But times are changing! We happen to have one of the best universities here and little by little, we are becoming much more liberal. There will always be the "bible thumpers" but they are not just here...just look at the midwest! In fact, I don't even know a snake-handler!!!

[Bitsko]

And you have some of the best music in the world.

[sueinmn]

texas is heavy bible thumpers also!

[Coinyer101]

how judgemental of you. many of us supported barack from the beginning. maybe the ignorance is inside you.

[Phylmom]

Somebody needs a geography lesson. Last i looked, Arkansas and Oklahoma and Louisiana, the reddest parts of this map, are not in Appalachia. Central Appalachia is largely pink but not deep red.

In fact, if you look at county-by-county maps, there are blue areas of Appalachia, just as there are red areas of New York, and other states. The real break down if you analyze it is rural areas vs cities and towns, especially college towns. But even my home state of West Virginia there were rural counties with no colleges and no minorities that went for Obama.

[sueinmn]

I thought the appalachia was the mason dixin line in pennsylvania kentucky and west virginia? isnt that where they swore the appacolipse (cant spell) would happen???

[Pdubya]

yes, i largely agree. but don't stand divided. it will be your rural neighbors that will be helping you out in the next few years, if you allow for it.

[PATina]

I agree. The section that is deepest red is the Deep South... not Appalachia.

[trubski]

Yeah, I made that point, too. I'm in Central PA - as Appalachian as you get - and we aren't included on this map although my county hasn't gone Democratic since 1964.

[kawil]

This is very subtle and interesting. Notice that western North Carolina isn't red, nor is SW Virginia -- both heavily populated areas of Appalachia with some urban enclaves (Asheville, Roanoke). The red areas of the map are instead west of the mountain divide, reflecting a natural geographical and cultural border. So, the eastern slope of Appalachia is far more connected to the piedmont and east-coast ways, while west of the mountains we see the vestiges of a true frontier culture. It's not just Appalachia in general, folks.

[Outrageous]

There are some very fine comments on this post about real issues that affect the lives and judgments of Appalachians, but there are many that simply insult and belittle those in that part of the country. If you are of the latter group I suggest you reevaluate your progressive ideals and ask if you are nearly as concerned about social equality as you think. I am Appalachian and I have a PhD. I voted Obama. My mother is Appalachian and never got past 8th grade. She voted Obama. Now, we can sit here and crack wise about how ignorant these folks are, or we can think of ways to bring education, technology, healthcare, and hope to this area. Which of these approaches do you think will work best? My suggestion: make Appalachia the center of investments in green technologies (there is at least one fuel cell company manufacturing there already) and you can turn miners and Republicans into a Democratic labor force that will move steadily leftward.

[j0em0mma]

y'know what, I'm fed up with these Neanderthals destroying our nation. I'm not feeling all thar receptive, particularly when what the info in this post is actually portraying. We had to listen to Right Wingers accuse us of everything they're guilty of. I'm all for reconcilliation and forgiveness, but the ball is in the people of these region's court... when do they have to stand up and take responsibility for electing people with such a poor record on social justice?

Blame yourselves for once, it is getting really, really old...

[Outrageous]

You know, I guess you're right. This seems exactly like the kind of view our new president has when he says, "America is not a series of blue states and red states."

[MsLiz]

Are you confusing the Right Wing elites of the media with the poor people living in Appalachia? I don't understand your point, just your temper. What have these people done to destroy our nation?

The Scots-Irish in Appalachia enlist in the military in numbers greatly exceeding any other regions. They admire military heroes, and will follow those leaders, if no others.

[sueinmn]

If I have insulted anyone I am sorry. But some of these areas need to realize how close they come to taking the entire country down believing the lies of Sara Palin. The depressed areas need to be changed but you must be willing to accept change. from what I have seen through many rallies, the people seem too eager to believe everything Sara Palin said! Watch this video and then defend the areas I speak of. Also why is it that the ministry can lead you all into such belieifs? I think this is where change is needed, right at your church leaders as they seem to be very extreme to the conservative base and keep ignorance and racism alive and flourishing. view link below. thanks.
http://liesliesmorelies.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccain-racist-rally-goers-pt-6-worst-so.html

[TexasDem0]

Is sueinmn Sue in MN, as in the state that just reelected reddest of the red Rep. Michele Bachmann?

[TexasDem0]

The insults are unwarranted and reflect poorly on those who post them.

I don't live in Appalachia, but my mother's family is from West Virginia. Most of the men were farmers and coal miners, working the coal mines, and scraping by on small farms. My grandfather was black listed for being a labor organizer and union activist. Almost every uncle had some part of his body missing or paralyzed due to a mining accident. Not much to laugh about here.

[Outrageous]

And that brings up another point: the UMW in Appalachia was one of the most vocal critics of racist attacks on Obama. If you have Appalachian relatives it usually likely you have had a relative who died in a mine. I can say as much myself. Those guys break their backs to keep this country running.

[jacqmac]

Not to mention the fact that Appalachia is usually ignored until election season and then all KINDS of promises are made by ALL KINDS of politicians. To the other posters on this list: Read Michael Harrington's 'Other America'. Appalachia is what it's all about. Appalachia is the region that sparked Lyndon Johnson's 'War on Poverty'. Sooo--Appalachia has been literally ignored for as long a period of time as the REST of the Country. "Joe the Plumber' MIGHT have added to some of this voting--after all, he was misrepresented and misrepresented himself as a 'regular working stiff' (wrong).....So, I'm with Outrageous---start talking about people you don't know anything about in less than complimentary tones and you become part of the problem, and not part of the solution.

[Emerald1943]

I agree with you! Instead of all these folks saying really nasty things about the people here, why not get involved and help out? Name-calling is silly and unnecessary! I like the idea about "green" industry here. It would be a huge help to see some good paying jobs brought into our communities!

[j0em0mma]

I agree about the inbreeding insults and such, but the people in this region have to take responsibility for their own situation. They vote consistently red locally and nationally while having the lowest standard of living and the largest deficits in tax money spent compared to tax money earned. When are they going to have to take some responsibility for it? Everyone and every group has an excuse. One of those groups just elected a president. These people need to get OVER themselves and join the 21st century.

[MsLiz]

They have learned to distrust outsiders who come in claiming to want to help them. City dwellers owned the coal mines and got wealthy off of Appalachian coal without ever getting dirty from it. Politicians show up just before elections.

I'm with Outrageous and Jacqmac -- those who watched the Beverly Hillbillies and saw Deliverance think they know these people, but they don't have a clue.

[sandpiper1]

To all you Appalachians, I apologise for my thinking. My only excuse is that as a Canadian, I get my info from MSM which, based on comments here, is not accurate. I will research the issue instead.

[helonias]

The bible belt of divorce and teen pregnancy

[BMoreDemocrat]

Appalachia. The home of America's last uncontacted tribes.

[gbht12]

Continue to cling to BABIES, GUNS AND JESUS. BUNCH OF HICKS

[joe2891]

right, because babies really suck... it's all their fault!

[TexasDem0]

“As Ygleias writes:
You can see why John McCain's principled stand against higher taxes on the wealthy would have a special resonance in this region.”

I don't get it. The socially responsible among the ultra-rich don't object to paying their fair share. Maybe they are too much of a minority. Maybe becoming ultra-rich is related to a stunted sense of social responsibility.

With traditional poverty in rural Appalachia, the poor certainly don't benefit from tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Appalachian coal miners have especially suffered due to the appointment of industry hacks to government oversight agencies, like the Bureau of Mines, OSHA and the EPA. The other red areas beyond Appalachia have similar situations.

This is a perfect example of voting against ones own self interest.

[Pdubya]

And if you can detail what Obama will do to the coal industry in the area, and for its employees, I will gain some respect for you.....as if that matters to you.

[TexasDem0]

I don't live in Appalachia, but my mother's family is from West Virginia. Most of the men were farmers and coal miners, working the coal mines, and scraping by on small farms. My grandfather was black listed for being a labor organizer and union activist. Almost every uncle had some part of his body missing or paralyzed due to a mining accident. What makes you doubt that it matters to me?

[TexasDem0]

Still waiting for your answer.

[Heddie]

Lack of education directly proportional to racist attitudes. I lived
there, at one time, I KNOW !! KKK central. Horrible. The only way to
educate them is to bring in teachers from the outside, because
these views are perpetuated from the LOCALLY RAISED
teachers , CONTINUING their teaching in the schools, and of course the parents.
The teachers, and even day care centers, still segregate students
in class by seating them separately. Nuanced, but ever present.

[emariejon]

I live in Arkansas, and I can assure you that teachers and day care centers do not segregate their students. You must have lived here in what, the 50's??? With your attitude, we don't want you here anyway!

[Sassafras63]

Haha...love the tongue-in-cheek comment from Ygleias, that gave me a chuckle for sure.

[zorak1704]

You have to figure that people in these areas only get their news from Fox and Rush. The only culture they are exposed to is church and Wal-Mart. Cut them a little slack.

[UnknownSoldier]

No, cut them nothing, it seems like we always have to DRAG this part of the country kicking and screaming up to the next plateau the country is on. Maybe it is time we really started to think about just letting the go with the Alaska Independence Party.

I have no idea what they add to the national dialogue

[trubski]

What do we add? Every bullet fired in the Revolutionary War came from Pennsylvania. The steel that built New York City came from Pittsburgh. The coal that powered this country for generations came from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. The rest of the country has depended on Appalachia for it's basic infrastructure and energy for nearly 200 years, while raping the landscape and exploiting the workers who produced it.

The rest of the country only took from here, never invested anything back - in the people, the places, the basic elements of civilized life. And now, when these people are having a hard time keeping up, all the coastal people can do is sneer at them.

You wonder why Appalachians don't like you?

My father is a Harvard PhD, my mother is a U. Md PhD, I have an MFA. But we're Appalachians too. And when I read some of these comments, well, I'm just glad I don't have to live among sneering, arrogant people like many who post here.

[jacqmac]

Exactly how MUCH do you actually KNOW about these people? Unless you ARE from that region and /or have studied it--you need to keep your hands off the keyboard and your mouth shut.