The Gossip Of Change In Rural Ohio

DEFIANCE, Ohio -- Most days, life in this small town is the redundant. Mundane. Boring. Go to Work. Go to school. Cheer at the local high school game on Friday night. Gossip. Go to the bar. Gossip. Go about life. Gossip. Lately though, we're hearing something different when people gossip. A new guy is moving in. A skinny black guy with a funny name.

A "Change Candidate."

Instead of the usual "I don't like her," or "did you hear what so and so did?" The gossip has turned to Barack Obama. It started as a mere whisper. You didn't dare speak loud enough for others to hear without turning your head to see who was listening. "What did you say his name is? Barack who? Isn't that a funny name? How do you spell that? Did you hear he's black?"

You see, this is Republican country. Farm country, Church country. White, with old money and old ideals, a mixture of blue collar autoworkers and white collar lawyers.

This is George Bush territory.

Republican is rooted deeply here. Roots that are as deep as this town is old. As far back as anyone remembers Republicans have ruled. It's a gun-toting, bible thumping town, full of holier than thou Christians, who drink on Saturday night and sit on the front row at church on Sunday morning. George Bush is a hero to most here. But this town also has an inexplicable diversity. I see it every day at Barack Obama's campaign office.

Black, White, Hispanic, young, old, they are all there, and the excitement is overwhelming and emotional. The gossip has turned from, who did what, to "did you hear that so and so is voting for Barack?" It is slowly becoming an unabashed and unashamed conversation, and the mundane is turning to extraordinary.

It's the beginning of a movement; it's the gossip of change. Although not exactly a fast-moving freight train (it's more like a coal-powered steam engine), talk of change is there just the same.

The talk is getting louder and folks don't turn their heads as frequently to see who's listening. People just don't care who hears anymore.

Folks here in George Bush country are hurting. They've lost their jobs along with their self-esteem. They are not able to support their families. Young people are leaving in droves. Workers have been bought out and tossed aside. The children of generations of blue collar workers who have depended on the auto industry and other factories for their livelihoods, have no hope that they will be able to go to work for the companies where their fathers once provided their families with a good life. Those companies don't exist anymore. They have been replaced by the politics of fear. Blue collar jobs are leaving this small town along with the companies who provided them, and as John McCain puts it, "They're not coming back".

The middle class is slowly disappearing from Northwest Ohio, so inevitability the gossip has turned to "Did you hear that Cindy McCain had on an outfit at the republican convention that cost 300,000 dollars? I can't even afford to buy an outfit at Wal-Mart. What could John McCain possibly have in common with me?" or "I don't care that he's a maverick, that doesn't do anything to help me. What can we do to change things?" "Are you gonna vote for Barack? We need to make a change".

People are beginning to put hope ahead of fear. Barack Obama has that kind of power.

He has brought people together and filled them with the promise of hope. Hope that they can change the direction this particular small town is heading. Hope that they can fight for a better tomorrow for their children and grandchildren.

George Bush is still a hero to the older population in this town, but even that is changing. The undercurrent of hope is stronger than George Bush and John McCain politics.

Comments

[Lynette]

Register everyone who believes in democratic princles, friends and family who believe in America for ALL people, not segregated or a place where groups are feared. Stop the Carl Rove dirt machine and start the Democratic clean up machine. Let's get America's economy back on track. GO REGISTER TO VOTE and VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE FALL. We cannot afford to be a divided segregated America any longer, we must ALL stick together.

[fedupwithrepublicans]

I donated to the Obama campaign today - this is the first time I have ever donated to a political cause. It is imperative that we reclaim the government - by the people and for the people.

Obama/Biden 08

[Bullyness]

It's really striking, amongst the many reprehensible things that stood out at the Republican convention, one just keeps standing out. How cruel do you have to be, how obtuse to the struggles of most Americans do you have to be to parade around in a $300,000 outfit? It is astounding -something, anything deep inside you should say, maybe that is not an appropriate signal to send to the "little people." But it occured to me the people who really run that party, John McCain, Cindy McCain and all his sponsors could really care less about most of his voters. Its really quite shameful.

[wandering girl]

I'm volunteering once a week in one of the Obama offices here in metropolitan Albuquerque. since last Thursday, we have sold out of yard signs, rally signs, and most buttons. people have been coming in in droves since Palin's speech - and they are uniformly angry about her. many, many Hillary supporters have come in and lent their hands, donated, or offered to volunteer. and many, many undecided women are now decided - for Obama/Biden. this is grassroots at work.

[Nia1999]

Thank you for the post. I was beginning to wonder if the folks who lost their jobs, can't afford health care, or to fund their children's education were more interested in McCain being a maverick or Sarah Palin bringing life to the party was more important than putting food on the table and clothes on their backs and a roof over their heads.

Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and other rural American towns and ciities, keep gossiping and pass the word. We Need Change. Times are too tight. Bills need to be paid. John McCain and Cindy have plenty of money and if you think they are going to share any of it with you, then I have that 'bridge to nowhere" I'd like to sell you. Please wise up and think about the survival of your families.

[bobloblawlawblog]

nice.
these ladies better finish gossipping asap. there's two months left!

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Grass roots is associated with Community Organizer isn't it?


1) Register
2) Vote


Obama/Biden 08

[blaqntelligence]

Excellent post!
Please keep writing of how Obama's message is resonating in these areas.
These types of articles are a powerful push back against the running theme that Obama will be rejected by these very people.
America is NOT stupid......I pray.

[Blabbermouth]

I loved this blog. Thanks.

[Mapleave]

Ditto!

[tel8034]

Teresa McCoy,

This is encouraging ..........­..........­... Please update us with the political change that is obviously occuring in Defiance, Ohio as the weeks progress.

Let us know if the undercurrent of hope in your town took on deep roots.

[WhatsLeft]

Hey there fellow Ohioan! I moved to northern California about 13yrs ago but Ohio will always be home. When we moved here what I didn't find was an area as liberal as the media portrays it. Like Ohio, the rural areas here are Republican. What is interesting to note this election year is that there are no McCain/Palin signs on empty fields. I have seen on one McCain bumper sticker since the convention in St. Paul. Certainly not a scientific study but if it can happen in rural Ohio then it might be happening here as well.
Enjoyed your blog too.

[jungpatawan]

This is a wonderfully evocative piece that shows how the Obama grass roots campaign is having an effect in all corners. Kudos and congrats to Teresa on her maiden column!

jp