Who's More Red, White And Blue-Collar?

Washington Post: With A Boilermaker Here And A Bowling Ball There, Obama And Clinton Try To Win Over Middle America

(CBS) 
Last Tuesday morning, Winschief woke up at his home in the outskirts of Lafayette and took a shower using water from the well he had helped drill a decade earlier. His wife, a nurse who works the overnight shift at a hospital for an extra $2 per hour, wouldn't return home for 30 minutes. He hadn't seen her since Saturday.

A few minutes after she returned, Winschief would leave for his shift as a waiter at O'Charley's, a family restaurant in the parking lot of the Tippecanoe Mall. The other servers are mostly college women from nearby Purdue University, and Winschief sometimes feels awkward for being "as old as everybody's dad." But this job is better than working as the overnight manager at IHOP, where he considered $1 tips generous. It's also better than bending over to bake enamel onto wires for 70 hours each week at a Lafayette factory.

"All things considered," he said, "this is probably the best job I've ever had."

Except for one major drawback: The drive to O'Charley's is 22 miles, requiring a daily total of four gallons of gas, or $15, in Winschief's old truck. Already "in debt up to my eyeballs" after buying six acres of land in New Richmond for $15,000, he never considered moving closer to Lafayette, where property costs five times as much. Plus, he grew up on an Indiana farm and he wants his kids -- ages 17, 15 and 13-year-old twins -- to fish in their own pond and drive their four-wheelers in peace.

To save money for gas, Winschief started collecting scrap metal and discarded aluminum cans from the side of the road on the way to work. Just last week, he recycled a three-pound bag of beer cans and earned $21. His kids teased him for being "pathetic" -- until he used the money to put gas in their four-wheelers.

Tuesday's lunch shift at O'Charley's dragged by in a painful lull, and Winschief sat in a booth at 4 p.m. and counted his tips. He had made about $43, a break-even sum after the round-trip drive to work and bowling. A few years ago, he considered giving up bowling to save money before deciding he would rather go broke. He met his first wife and his current wife at bowling alleys, and he spends the week looking forward to his three hours at Arrowhead.

Winschief polished off a few drinks after work, changed into a Miller Lite T-shirt and drove to the bowling alley to meet his four teammates. If they out-bowled the team from Dilley Crane Service tonight, his team would win the league title and earn back $18 in fees. "High stakes," Winschief said. "I'm not sure if this is fun or making me nervous."

As they took turns bowling, the five men talked about politics. Cliff Albea, a dissatisfied former Republican who stamps logos on cigarette packs for a grocery distributor, thought he might vote for Clinton because he liked her conviction about high gas prices. John Gilmore, a recently retired mechanic, favored Obama because "I can't really bring myself to vote for a woman." Randy Garrett, a Republican who disposes waste for a medical company, felt lucky that Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, could lie low while "the Democrats make fools of themselves."

Winschief decided he would probably vote for Obama, despite his unfortunate 37. "He might not be a natural bowler," Winschief said, "but at least the guy isn't afraid to see what we like and get to know us."

On a television mounted to the wall behind Winschief, the local news rolled clips from the presidential race. Clinton chatted with factory workers in Indiana. Obama sweated through his T-shirt during a pickup basketball game.

The two candidates spoke into cameras about high gas prices, and about how everybody is feeling squeezed right now. Then they were whisked off in motorcades, headed back to their private jets. They looked exhausted, like they couldn't wait for a break from Winschief's life.

[pepperwood2]

I like others thought Hillary had what it takes. She didn''t let us down. She took the low road of bitterly attacking & bashing Obama & Rev Wright and close to a $500,000,000 dollars of contributions and still counting.

Bill, Chelsae, Rendell & the Campaign Committee really won. They get paid up front.

After all she is still there for us. That is, for all the Fund Raisers. 35 years experience has PAID off for the Clintons. ITS ALL ABOUT ME. Wheeeeeee this is FUND time. I''m just warming up.

"Don''t forget the Superdelegates are on my side and their not happy that Obama doesn''t know his place." Soooooo Sad what the Clintons & the Old Guard Demos have done to the Democratic Party & its not over yet.

[truthyness]

Actually it doesn''t matter who''s more blue collar because Hillary will get the Nomination because Obama is a threat.

[battleroaron]

like any politician could ever be be called "blue collar". they don''t have a clue what it is like to live life like the rest of America.when was the last time hillary or barack got a shut-off notice in the mail from their electric company?or when was the last time they had to count change for the babies milk?

[gkc99]

the key question:

Who will get the knucklehead vote?

Looks like Hilly may have that sewn up!

[girlmiami]

I love Hillary.

[cfin5]

Has anybody checked out O''blahma''s rhetoric on the gas tax suspension? Next time you go to the filling station, look at the pump and do a little math per tankful how much you would save a week for the whole summer. It''s a lot more than what he''s saying,......maybe his cleric''s done more damage than we think.

Posted by metroduck75: ... Obama,s Supporters..have been out there insulting hardworking middle class....you know, Obama is NO healer of the nation, he is the ultimate Divider.===========

Obama''s supporters couldn''t have been insulting what they couldn''t find left in this country! All those jobs left the country on Gorge''s watch. And Obama isn''t about HEALING this nation at all. The divide between the rube right and lunatic left is too wide. Maybe we can do Jeremiah''s "wutu" dance to exorcise them. If that doesn''t work, we can try amputation. Given intelligent support, Obama can bring together the rational moderates from both parties. That''s the REAL class that makes this country work. Sorry you don''t consider yourself a part of the solution.

"If you can look like the common man and make your opponent appear out of touch, you''ve pretty much won the election," said Richard Shenkman, a George Mason professor who has written several books about presidential campaigning. "The American people, given the choice between reality and the myth, almost always pick the myth. . . . We tell ourselves their average day is just like ours." ---
So why would any millionaire with a college degree, a law degree even, ever want to be "ordinary joe" anymore? That defeats the whole purpose in getting the degree. And the millions! At least one thing seemed true enough: even a spastic gutterball bowler can do "hoops" with the Wright mentor.

[magoo2u1]

Obama got my vote when he dared to acknowlede out loud that the tax holiday had no clothes. 30 bucks spread out over the summer does me no good when everything I buy is screaming skyward in price. Tell me what you can do for next year etc. to improve our long term position. Short term feel good "look at me I did something" useless gestures don''t impress me.
I''ve seen 8 years of criminal "look at the shiny object in my right hand" while the left lands a roundhouse sucker punch to my pocket and my future.

[craigh9]

"Obama talks about a $1000 credit..think he could get that passed and who would pay for it?

Posted by ninasevyn at 11:14 AM : May 06, 2008"

In fact this is easily done - exactly the same process that has $600 per adult and $300 per child coming to you shortly. When dealing with government money the congress can move rapidly - attempting to go after big oil profits to support and tax break will be the proverbial slow boat to China.

[craigh9]

Posted by ninasevyn at 11:14 AM : May 06, 2008

The real problem is that it has been proven that the tax savings is rarely passed on to the consumer, What you have to understand is suspending the tax means that it will not be COLLECTED from the seller of gasoline - it in no way means they need to reduce their pricing. The second issue is the fact that George Bush will NOT sign off on going after oil companies to foot the bill - therefore it is lost revenue to cover infrastructure maintenance and will therefore cost us more money in the long run. Thirdly, a short term redcution in gas prices will have NO EFFECT on food prices. Lastly, while I certainly understand that this break if it could be enacted with the resultant price reduction would provide great relief to some high end users, it would eresuly in an extremely small savings to the average american. It is not sound policy because Hillary can''t control it, can''t enact it, and can''t force payment by others to cover the bill. It is sheer grandstanding to buy votes - I sincerely hope that Indiana and NC residents can see that and vote accordingly.

[SevynNina]

With the right person as President we probably could get the oil companies to pay for our highway fund to offset our gas tax holiday. Also have a cap put on their windfalls they are getting from the American people. There are a lot more things that Hillary has planned to decrease the costs and usage of gas in this country. She knows it will take a lot more than the gas tax credit to solve this problem. But to some doing something, no matter how little, is better than nothing. Obama voted for a gas tax holiday in Illinois...at the time it was a good idea politically. Nothing will be done until President Bush is out of office.

[taddles-2009]

"Well said!


Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:31 AM : May 06, 2008"


LOL a paranoid racist supporting another paranoid racist...how nice.

[taddles-2009]

"Obama talks about a $1000 credit..think he could get that passed and who would pay for it?

Posted by ninasevyn at 11:14 AM : May 06, 2008"


Who''s gonna pay for your tax break? You really think Hillary is gonna be able to "stick it to the oil companies"? They''re already raising prices in anticipation of this tax break, then if it does happen they''ve already raised their prices. Meanwhile you''ve just taken 10 billion dollars out of the Federal highway fund which repairs the roads that your truck tears up. You haven''t spent any less because the Oil companies have already stuck you with the "tax break" and you''ve increased prices for food and everything else...nice trade, Big Oil thanks you for your thoughtful gesture.

[SevynNina]

The tax break may sound like foley..my brother drives a semi....24 cents a gallon for fuel. Takes at least 200 gallons to fill up. So over three months there could be a savings of almost $6000. What drives up the cost of food and goods...fuel prices to drive the trucks that carry the stuff. How many truckers are on the roads? Of course, it is not a solution to the problem...but it is doing something. Obama talks about a $1000 credit..think he could get that passed and who would pay for it?

[tawpdawg11]

All experts agree the gas tax thing is pure folly. Clinton doesn''t care. Like che ney...."So?" Enough pigheaded stubbornness. We already have a leader like that and its been a disaster. Get a leader with some good judgement. Get Obama ''08 Its change you can take to the bank.

[rowdytexan2]

if you pay attention of the way Obama''''s Supporters who have been out there insulting hardworking middle class....

you know, Obama is NO healer of the nation, he is the ultimate Divider.


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Posted by metroduck75 at 09:00 AM : May 06, 2008''''

Well said!

[vmcneal2]

Real Men Love Strong Women.

Hillary''''''''08 ALL the way!!!!


Maybe if Hillary " went all the way" Bill wouldn''t have to get BJs from other women.

[metroduck75]

if you pay attention of the way Obama''s Supporters who have been out there insulting hardworking middle class....

you know, Obama is NO healer of the nation, he is the ultimate Divider.

[vmcneal2]

Real Men Love Strong Women.

Hillary''''08 ALL the way!!!!


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Posted by metroduck75 at 08:32 AM : May 06, 2008

I guess that''s why Bill Clinton has seen more azz than a toilet seat in a Mexican hotel. Strong women don''t put up with cheating husbands. Hillary is all talk, Bill runs the show.