Obama Signs and Confederate Flags Waving Together in SW Va.
I spotted the large Obama sign in front of the confederate flag on my way to U.S. Representative Rick Boucher's luncheon in Pearisburg, Virginia, Saturday. As a longtime resident of Giles County, I am accustomed to seeing confederate signs dotting the countryside. One store has confederate flag pillows prominently displayed outside every summer. But, I must admit I was surprised to see the Obama sign with a confederate flag behind it so I stopped to ask about it.
Obama/Biden sign with Confederate flag behind it.
Pete Martin, Obama Supporter
"Well, it's about time for a change, don't you think?" asked Pete Martin, the owner of the store where the sign was prominently displayed. Pete sells produce, camouflage clothing, and of course, confederate flags. I answered "Yes, it is" while I inquired about the apples for sale, $7 for a bushel! I purchased my apples and drove into Pearisburg for the luncheon.
When I arrived, I encountered Willi Dean, a local African-American, who asked if I could get more large Obama/Biden signs. I have been ferrying carloads of these signs, just like the one in front of Pete's store, for several weeks for people to put up all around the county. Willi had been delivering them to African-American families but some were afraid to put up the large signs. "We don't want no trouble" Willi said. But, now, it seemed it was alright since many large signs were sprouting up all over the county.
Unfortunately, not enough African-Americans live here to make a difference in the election. Unlike the state which is 20% African-American, Giles County has only 2% African-Americans. The rest of Giles County's population is white, mostly older and the majority Republican. But, that's not stopping the local Democrats from canvassing and phoning for Obama.
Willi Dean (on right) and Allen Smith with new yard signs at Boucher luncheon
Willi and others were happy to get some of the new yard signs that the Boucher campaign distributed at the luncheon. With all the Democratic candidates on one sign, Obama can benefit by being grouped with Warner and Boucher. Mark Warner is running well ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the Senate (60%-30% in most polls) while Rick Boucher, running unopposed for the U.S. House, is very popular here. But Obama still lags behind McCain. So, these yard signs may help Obama by linking him with these popular Democrats in voters' mindsat least that's the strategy we have been using in this part of Virginia.
U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, October 11, 2008 in Pearisburg, Virginia
Rick Boucher said about the same thing at the luncheon. Most of his 20 minute speech was devoted to persuading the audience to vote for Obama and to get their friends and relatives to do so too. The reason is clear. Boucher reported that polls indicate that Obama is leading in all of the Virginia congressional districts except in the ninth district he represents.
Voters here do not have a problem splitting their votes. In 2004, Giles County voters overwhelmingly voted for Bush (58%) over Kerry (41%). In the rest of the state, the margin for the presidential election was smaller (54% Bush to 45% for Kerry). Rick Boucher, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative, took over 60% of the vote against a well-financed Republican challenger to be re-elected.
If this same pattern holds for this election, Obama could lose Virginia if he does not do better in this district. The campaign has noticed. Obama has visited this district twice since the Democratic Convention. Boucher remarked that the last time a presidential candidate came to this area was in 1960 when Senator Kennedy made a brief stop at the Roanoke Airport.
Boucher commented that the crowd was larger than those he had seen at previous luncheons. Many of the new people were young and wearing Obama gear. Most of the older folks wore the Boucher stickers only. But, they were listening intently to Boucher. And, there seemed to be a general sense of excitement about Virginia being a battleground state for the first time.
On my way home from the luncheon, I wondered whether there were enough of these new young voters to give Obama the margin he needs here to win the state. Or, would it be voters like Pete Martin, the Obama sign/confederate flag guy more typical of this county, who holds the key to Obama's success in this region. The demographics tell me the latter and the Obama campaign needs to work hard to get their votes.
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Thank you so much for posting this. I was born and raised in Rich Creek (even smaller than Pearisburg!). I am now living in Switzerland and watched the election returns with the Democrats Abroad in Geneva - a long way from Giles County. I cried - out of pride - a lot that night but I cried the most when Virginia went blue!!! I can't wait to show this to my children!
I want a stars and bars obama bumber sticker!
My GG grandfather from Tazewell fought and died for the CSA, and I know this neck of the woods has remained fairly conservative, but this really made me emotional to think these folks would consider voting for Obama, or at least show some tolerance. The people there are basically good, but are kind of isolated from main stream America - which can be good and bad. I just hope they vote for their own interests and not based on the nonsense fed to them by FOX and some religious leaders. At some point, people have to think on their own and help themselves. I think JFK being Catholic was a big issue down there at the time, and they voted him in over Nixon.
We are all in the same boat we have to come together. Friendship erases fear!
To all who say that the Confederate flag is not racist, lets not "whitewash" history.
This was the flag of those that fought and died to maintain the institution of slavery.
This was the flag of those that fought against the civil rights movement and instituted Jim Crow.
While all those with a flag in their possession may not think it is racist, my ancestors suffered and died under that flag - at the very least it is a blatant display of disrespect for them.
kind of off topic - I do understand the radioactivity of the flag, but I also know many southerners in my family who only consider it a symbol of their southern heritage. They of course say that individual black people they know are not their enemy, but see the big city urban scene as seen on TV and rap music as a more abstract version of their fear. Living in a small town and not traveling and meeting people perpetuates this ignorance. I am heartened to read that SW VA is in play for Obama. Can we have both Confederate flags and Obama signs? why not!
hell yeah! i thought i was the only racist who loved obama. maybe racists are the swing demographic that's gonna win this one for the good guys. instead of mocking us and our fears, maybe you guys should try harder to reach out to us. catch more flies with sugar than vinegar.
don't care just vote obama...and here's some more sugar. honey.
LOL "swing demographic" -- who knew?
Hey Racists4Obama, why don't you write an article telling the readers why you and people like you are voting for Obama and what's your future hopes for our country.
I'm a little confused by your profile name but welcome your vote. Would it be so bold to ask why are you racist yet voting for Obama?
People like Pete Martin know what's right when they see it, I am so proud of every individual that can escape their comfort zone for what they know is the truth. Bravo..... let it be!
Good article
The flags of the past are just that Meaningfull to the people that so choose the reminder!
Like my Irish Ancestors we honor All of us like to wave the IRISH Flag Proud , Thankful & High on St Parick's Day to celebrate the culture & heritage that brought us threw ancestry "To Our Flag of the United States of America."
This FLAG that they pledged alleigance to became the symbol of Freedom for my Grandparents passed on to all that Followed behind them for now 4 Generations.
Amazingly I just visited my hometown today, and I saw 1 Obama/Biden yard sign. Now I know for sure "Bubba" lives there. My Georgia hometown is very small and Ruby Red. That 1 sign spoke volumes.
Obama/Biden'08 - Yes We Can!!
Amazing support for Obama when people overcome their channeled racism (although saying that because someone has a Confederate flag means they're racist is stereotyping) to support a man based on the issues, not the color of his skin.
Great article!
I read it twice-
Thanks everyone for commenting on my article about confederate flags and Obama signs. After I submitted this draft, I found another Obama sign with a confederate flag on a flagpole in the yard.
I tend to agree with those who say the confederate flag is just a tradition around here. It doesn't necessarily mean the person is racist. On the other hand, there are some people who are racist and that may be why the African-Americans were a little afraid to put the big signs up at first. They definitely wanted to put the Obama signs next to the popular Democrats (Boucher, Warner) although that is a strategy we have used as well.
As far as the rationale of the store owner who put up the big Obama/Biden sign in front of his store which has the confederate flag, I didn't ask as I was one my way to the luncheon. Perhaps I will go back and ask so I can write another article. I also wanted to know more about him....Stay tuned.
Thanks for what you do and for the great article. It should be front page top.
I live in SW Virginia...
Fortunately, contrary to popular believe, not everyone who supports the Confederate flag equates it to support for racism or slavery. Some people simply support it as support for the South and out of a southern tradition.
I don't agree and I don't like the flag, but I also think it's not OK to make assumptions about people simply because they fly the Confederate flag...then you're just labeling folks.
I believe there are many whites in these rural areas that will never say publicly that they are voting for O and will never admit it after words.
Saw the flip side of this phenomena in California in 2004 when "Farmworkers for Bush" bumper stickers were proudly displayed. Politics make strange bedfellows, indeed.
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