May 13, 2008

Lackluster Support For Obama In Appalachia

Politico: Ill. Senator's Support In The Region Low Compared To Heavily Favored Clinton Campaign

  • Democratic strategists chalk up Sen. Barack Obama’s D-Ill. problems in the region to several factors, says <b>The Politico</b>. Photo

    Democratic strategists chalk up Sen. Barack Obama’s D-Ill. problems in the region to several factors, says The Politico.  (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

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(The Politico)  This story was written by David Mark.
The current high spirits in the Barack Obama campaign could be tempered in coming weeks when West Virginia and Kentucky voters render their verdict on the Democratic race.

And it’s not just that Hillary Rodham Clinton is heavily favored to win both states - but more than that they could further underline Obama’s lackluster support in Appalachia, a region that is ground zero for the sort of populist Reagan Democrats both parties will covet in the fall.

As Clinton noted this week, Obama’s lagging vote totals among white, working class voters in broad swaths of culturally conservative territory continue to feed doubts about his ability to expand his electoral base in Appalachia - a region which, according to one’s definition, can stretch from the cornfields of western New York all the way through the deltas of northern Mississippi.

That’s territory that includes states - Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia - that will be key to a Democratic victory in November. And some Democrats are already worried that John McCain is poised to scoop up crucial votes in the region if Obama is the Democratic nominee.

“McCain’s going to camp on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border” in Appalachian regions, said Democratic strategist Dave “Mudcat” Saunders, of Roanoke, Va. “He knows if he wins those states he can’t lose.”

Obama has consistently come up short in Appalachia, even when he was romping to victory nearby. Consider Obama’s 14-point victory in North Carolina on Tuesday, when he still soundly lost a series of counties near the Tennessee border, including Cherokee, Clay and Graham.

Clinton’s strong performance in the Appalachian region’s 11th Congressional District caused Rep. Heath Shuler, a North Carolina superdelegate, to throw his support behind the New York senator’s flagging campaign.

Virginia, another strong Obama primary state, also delivered the majority of its rural Appalachian votes to Clinton. In the Feb. 5 contest, Clinton overwhelmingly won a series of counties nestled in the state’s southwest corner between West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

The numbers were similar in Ohio on March 4. Except for Cincinnati-based Hamilton County, every county along the Ohio River went for Clinton, often by over 70 percent. The Appalachian portion of Pennsylvania was equally strong for Clinton when she won statewide on April 22. Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, each along the Ohio or West Virginia state lines, each gave at least 71 percent of its vote to Clinton.

Democratic strategists chalk up Obama’s problems in the region to several factors. His race, many say privately, is clearly an obstacle in the predominately white region, as is an elitist image both the Clinton and McCain camps have worked hard to stamp him with.

But Obama’s Appalachian struggles do not faze supporters such as Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), even though Clinton won his district by an almost 2-to-1 margin.

Boucher suggested voters in his largely rural southwest Virginia district would ultimately gravitate to Obama’s message of economic development, telemedicine to expand health care, federal support for water infrastructure projects, and broadband development to provide expanded Internet service and attract high tech jobs.

“It’s a challenging region for Democratic presidential candidates under all circumstances,” Boucher said. “But I am absolutely confident that he will be even stronger than Sen. Clinton was in contending for the votes of rural voters.”

In the general election, “I do not anticipate a defection of Democratic voters away from Sen. Obama and to the Republicans,” Boucher sid. “Sen. Obama has special qualities that will enable him to be more competitive” than previous Democratic nominees Al Gore and John F. Kerry, both of whom came up short in Boucher’s 9th District and statewide.

Democratic strategist Saunders, who worked for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards’ presidential campaigns and helped propel Democrat Mark Warner into the Virginia governor’s mansion, said emphasis on issues over rhetorical style would be key for Obama.

“What people don’t understand about Appalachia is that we’ve heard all this ‘hope’ and ‘change’ stuff since the English kicked the Scotch-Irish out in the 1700s. We’re ‘hoped’ out. Nothing ever changes out here. He’s got to come with some solid policies.”

Rep. Nick J. Rahall, the longtime Democratic congressman from southern West Virginia, said Obama was a lot closer to Appalachia voters than might be apparent on the surface. After all, sections of central and southern Illinois bear a striking resemblance to much of Appalachia.

“Sen. Obama is from a coal state. Sen. Obama is for using coal in an environmentally sound manner. Sen. Obama’s familiar with these technologies,” Rahall said.

Moreover, the prolonged Democratic primary fight with Clinton has made rural voters more comfortable with Obama, Rahall said. That was on display in the Indiana primary this week, which Obama lost by a narrower margin than many had expected, and in which he kept down Clinton’s vote totals in some Ohio River counties.

“With each succeeding primary election, as Sen. Obama becomes more toughened, he will continue to improve,” Rahall said. Locals will “recognize that he is more attached to their issues than John McBush - I mean McCain.”

Questions over what factor Obama’s race will play in Appalachian voters’ decisions were brought into stark relief this week with Clinton’s comments about “white Americans” backing her over Obama. It’s a highly sensitive issue that is difficult to measure in polls and surveys, but also a reality Obama clearly must address.

“The South has changed a lot, but not that much,” Gary Pearce, a Democratic consultant in Raleigh, N.C., said of his state and surrounding areas.

But racial questions can be mitigated.

“The way he can change things is to increase the electorate - attract young people and independents,” Pearce said.

North Carolina, considered a safe Republican state in November, will be a good test of Obama’s message.

“There are some Democrats that think instead of getting 42 percent [about the average vote totals of Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004], he can get 47 percent,” Pearce said. “Four years from now, a lot of people think this could be a battleground state, with a rapidly growing, highly educated, more professional” populace.

Phillip J. Ardoin, political science professor at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., said Obama’s party affiliation, much more than his race, may be his undoing in parts of Appalachia.

“Religion plays a big role in this area of the state among white voters, and I am constantly surprised how many white social conservative voters continue to believe only the Republican Party can represent the interests of ‘Christians,’" Ardoin said. “The e-mails going around which question Obama’s religious views and patriotism have been popular and, I think, effective.”

And perhaps most daunting for Obama, not all of the concerns comes from expected quarters. Some Democrats who have backed Clinton in the primaries may very well give the Republicans another look, said Mary Ann Kominar of Kermit, W.Va. - the wife of 14-year state Del. K. Steven Komnar. Both are Clinton supporters.

“I have to support my party. I don’t ever intend to let my party down. But a lot of people are saying ‘McCain looks better every day,’” said Kominar, who lives in Mingo County, W.Va., just across the Kentucky state line.

“I’m opposed to Obama because of his religious beliefs. I believe Rev. [Jeremiah] Wright told me a whole lot,” Kominar said, echoing familiar Republican talking points. “The fact that [Obama] doesn’t pledge allegiance to the flag, he doesn’t wear a flag pin, concern me.”

Obama simply isn’t the right kind of Democrat for the region and would lose in West Virginia just as former party standard-bearers Gore and Kerry did, she said.

“I think over the years they’ve tried to force some very liberal New Englanders down our throat - Obama’s not from New England, but he still fits that mold.”

By David Mark
Copyright 2008 POLITICO



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Add a Comment See all 55 Comments
by rizabove May 13, 2008 3:29 PM PDT
How many delegates from West Virginia? In the words of Hillary, WV is a small state, she counted out all the small states in the West, so Obama will have to count out the small state of WV in the South. Conservative is a good name to describe "it". Yeah, conservative, okay.
Reply to this comment
by pensacola88 May 13, 2008 3:41 PM PDT
Barack Obama will give fair representation to the people of West Virginia. They have more in common with him than many people think and believe. He has a very connectable personality that reaches for those who are confident in others. He may use his eyes to see, and his ears to hear, but more important, he uses his mind to know. He knows what stops many from achieving their dreams or living to their potential. Voters who support Barack Obama also want to see a candidate for president come right out of West Virginia someday. Anything is possible.

Reply to this comment
by themagic07 May 13, 2008 3:44 PM PDT
DEAN, PELOSI, KENNEDYS, and REID are ELITIST for DNC Leadership. People are still voting, and these ELITIST democrats want to proclaim the car salesman as the winner. Is this democracy all about? The car salesman (Obama) said that the Michigan and Florida votes are for beauty contest. Give me a break. Sen Hillary has been unfairly treated by these Democrat ELITISTs, including media/pundits.

Remember a vote for this rookie car salesman is a vote for WRIGHT, REZKO, AYERS, AND FARAHKHAN%u2026..OBAMA is dishonest and disgrace. He does not deserve my vote!
Reply to this comment
by huanaco May 13, 2008 3:45 PM PDT

AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE OVER THERE HAVE THE PICTURE RIGHT, OBAMA CAN,T WIN WITHOUT THE BLUE AND WHITE COLLAR VOTERS.HE COULD SURVIVE BUT MATCHING HIM WITH MCCAIN HE IS SURE LOOSER.


Reply to this comment
by lordmi May 13, 2008 3:55 PM PDT
Yes, that is right. But nobody told , that it would not be a problem.
What is happenning now - clintons are INCREASING it . He did not compaigned there ( almost), now she claimed - he did and aggressively. That is an example, how she is lieing all over, twisting facts and spreading other gossips.
Those rears are more likely to follow her misleading attack, easy to be manipulated.
His core is to say the truth, which is not a honey at this time. But he still does.
That is the difference. And more and more people understand that.
Election with this pair: McBush and Obama will make the deal easy without clinton''s lie and false. It would be so much easier.
clintons really are messing up all around.
People should pay attetion how carefully Obama is handling this, NEVER putting hillary down, and even now - giving her open field to get this victory in WV.
Reply to this comment
by blackmilitan May 13, 2008 3:56 PM PDT
ITS OBAMA WHITE MOMMA AND WHITE GRANDPARENTS FAULT

1. SHE DATED AND LOVED A BLACK MAN AT A TIME WHEN MOST WHITE FOLKS HATED BLACK MEN
2. SHE WAS A PROPHET AND SHE COULD SEE INTO THE FUTURE, SEE SAW ONE DAY THAT A MAN NAMED HUSSIEN WOULD RUN IRAQ, SO BEFORE THE WORLD HEARD OF HUSSIEN, SHE NAMED HER SON THAT TO PREPARE HIM TO BE A MUSLIM EXTREMIST. SHE ALSO AS A PROPHET NEW THAT AL QUADA WOULD ONE DAY BLOW UP THE TWIN TOWERS.
3. HIS GRANDPARENTS LOVED HIM TOO MUCH, TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY ABOUT HIS COLOR THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD CAME FROM ONE GOD..WHY THEY LIE TO HIM LIKE THAT.
4. HIS PARENTS RAISED HIM SO THAT HE CAN MEET WITH AND RESPECT REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATES AND MUSLIMS AND ALL PEOPLE - THEY MESSED HIS LIFE UP, MAKING HIM THINK WHITE FOLKS WOULD ACCEPT HIM.
5. HIS MOTHER GAVE HIM GOOD HARD WORKING VALUES, HE WENT TO HARVARD AND GOT HIS DEGREE - NOW HE TOO SMART FOR BLUE COLLAR WHITE MEN - HIS MOTHER FAULT - SHE SHOULD HAVE MADE HIM A THUG INSTEAD OF A HARD WORKING MAN.

DAYUM WHITE WOMEN FOR LOVING A BLACK MEN AND HAVING HIS SON AND RAISING HIM RIGHT SO ONE DAY HE COULD TURN OUT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

DAYUM THEM ALL I SAY!
Reply to this comment
by lordmi May 13, 2008 4:01 PM PDT
People, what are you doing?
You are trying to attach to him other people, he knew, based on gossips, the most.
If You want to follow this direction - pay attention to Clintons Own lawsuit, that is just waiting for THEM (not their friends) to follow their dirt.

How much are you responsible for your neigbors deals? Same here.
Watch more closer clinton''s deals, than you will see so much dirt, that stomach could not stand.

Their own dirt all over they steped.
Reply to this comment
by lordmi May 13, 2008 4:03 PM PDT
to themagic07 - Obama dishonest ?
Give at least ONE fact.
That is amazing, how much you are ready to be fooled by clintons, by people, who is swiming in false all political life.
Check facts before saying anything here
Reply to this comment
by libh8er May 13, 2008 4:04 PM PDT
I cannot understand why the bitter people of Appalachia, who cling to God and guns as a way to cope with their miserable lives, aren''t fainting at the mention of my name!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by blackmilitan May 13, 2008 4:09 PM PDT
ITS OBAMA WHITE MOMMA AND WHITE GRANDPARENTS FAULT

1. SHE DATED AND LOVED A BLACK MAN AT A TIME WHEN MOST WHITE FOLKS HATED BLACK MEN.

2. SHE WAS A PROPHET AND SHE COULD SEE INTO THE FUTURE, SEE SAW ONE DAY THAT A MAN NAMED HUSSIEN WOULD RUN IRAQ, SO BEFORE THE WORLD HEARD OF HUSSIEN, SHE NAMED HER SON THAT TO PREPARE HIM TO BE A MUSLIM EXTREMIST. SHE ALSO AS A PROPHET NEW THAT AL QUADA WOULD ONE DAY BLOW UP THE TWIN TOWERS.

3. HIS GRANDPARENTS LOVED HIM TOO MUCH, TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY ABOUT HIS COLOR THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD CAME FROM ONE GOD..WHY THEY LIE TO HIM LIKE THAT.

4. HIS PARENTS RAISED HIM SO THAT HE CAN MEET WITH AND RESPECT REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATES AND MUSLIMS AND ALL PEOPLE - THEY MESSED HIS LIFE UP, MAKING HIM THINK WHITE FOLKS WOULD ACCEPT HIM.

5. HIS MOTHER GAVE HIM GOOD HARD WORKING VALUES, HE WENT TO HARVARD AND GOT HIS DEGREE - NOW HE TOO SMART FOR BLUE COLLAR WHITE MEN - HIS MOTHER FAULT - SHE SHOULD HAVE MADE HIM A THUG INSTEAD OF A HARD WORKING MAN.

DAYUM WHITE WOMEN FOR LOVING A BLACK MEN AND HAVING HIS SON AND RAISING HIM RIGHT SO ONE DAY HE COULD TURN OUT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

DAYUM THEM ALL I SAY!

Reply to this comment
by blackmilitan May 13, 2008 4:10 PM PDT
ITS OBAMA WHITE MOMMA AND WHITE GRANDPARENTS FAULT

1. SHE DATED AND LOVED A BLACK MAN AT A TIME WHEN MOST WHITE FOLKS HATED BLACK MEN.

2. SHE WAS A PROPHET AND SHE COULD SEE INTO THE FUTURE, SEE SAW ONE DAY THAT A MAN NAMED HUSSIEN WOULD RUN IRAQ, SO BEFORE THE WORLD HEARD OF HUSSIEN, SHE NAMED HER SON THAT TO PREPARE HIM TO BE A MUSLIM EXTREMIST. SHE ALSO AS A PROPHET NEW THAT AL QUADA WOULD ONE DAY BLOW UP THE TWIN TOWERS.

3. HIS GRANDPARENTS LOVED HIM TOO MUCH, TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY ABOUT HIS COLOR THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD CAME FROM ONE GOD..WHY THEY LIE TO HIM LIKE THAT.

4. HIS PARENTS RAISED HIM SO THAT HE CAN MEET WITH AND RESPECT REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATES AND MUSLIMS AND ALL PEOPLE - THEY MESSED HIS LIFE UP, MAKING HIM THINK WHITE FOLKS WOULD ACCEPT HIM.

5. HIS MOTHER GAVE HIM GOOD HARD WORKING VALUES, HE WENT TO HARVARD AND GOT HIS DEGREE - NOW HE TOO SMART FOR BLUE COLLAR WHITE MEN - HIS MOTHER FAULT - SHE SHOULD HAVE MADE HIM A THUG INSTEAD OF A HARD WORKING MAN.

DAYUM WHITE WOMEN FOR LOVING A BLACK MEN AND HAVING HIS SON AND RAISING HIM RIGHT SO ONE DAY HE COULD TURN OUT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

DAYUM THEM ALL I SAY!

Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:17 PM PDT
And the nicest compliment you can give a girl from West Virginia is....


"Nice Tooth!"
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:18 PM PDT
Definition of a virgin in West Virginia:

"A girl that is two steps faster than her brothers!"
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:21 PM PDT
Did you hear about the guy from West Virginia who got his PHD in engineering from MIT?

Neither did I!
Reply to this comment
by zavatchen May 13, 2008 4:22 PM PDT
Wait till Rep. Boucher sees that the core of the Democratic Party, women, are so disenfranchised they don''t bother to vote (or in my case writing in Hillary Clinton). I am white, mid-fifties, 3 figure income, college grad, and living in the midwest.
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:22 PM PDT
And what''s the best thing to come out of West Virginia?

Interstate 79!
Reply to this comment
by bobnjersey May 13, 2008 4:24 PM PDT
[Democratic strategists chalk up Obama%u2019s problems in the region to several factors. His race, many say privately, is clearly an obstacle in the predominately white region, as is an elitist image both the Clinton and McCain camps have worked hard to stamp him with. ]

his race? it''s more like their racist views.
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:26 PM PDT
And what''s the definition of a "successful" West Virginian?

One who can afford to put two washing machines on his front porch!
Reply to this comment
by pensacola88 May 13, 2008 4:26 PM PDT
I have a friend from West Virginia. He is NO Jed Clampette. Instead, he is educated, has military experience, married, and now owns a ranch in Texas, and also works for a Fortune 500 company, today.

The stereotype of West Virginia is far from reality. Those West Virginians have good minds, common sense and do vote. They are well-connected and know how to attract enterprise and tourists. Some best kept secrets lie in West Virginia.

I wouldn''t more having more friends from that state. A little respect goes a long way over there.
Reply to this comment
by votehillary May 13, 2008 4:27 PM PDT
Obama and the DNC elite say - Votes for Hillary DON''T COUNT - they are saying JUST STAY HOME! They want to replace the mainstream democratic base with college kids as the new voter base - But, there aren''t enough college kids as new voters to make up for the loss of the mainstream democratic base. This elitist attitude will cost them the White House.
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:28 PM PDT
What do a tornado and a divorce in West Virginia have in common?...


SOMEONE ALWAYS LOSES A TRAILER
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:29 PM PDT
Why aren''t there drive by shootings in West Virginia?


BECAUSE THE CARS ARE ON BLOCKS AND THE HOUSES ARE ON WHEELS
Reply to this comment
by bobnjersey May 13, 2008 4:30 PM PDT
[They want to replace the mainstream democratic base with college kids as the new voter base - But, there aren''''t enough college kids as new voters to make up for the loss of the mainstream democratic base. This elitist attitude will cost them the White House.]
[Posted by VoteHillary at 04:27 PM : May 13, 2008]

assuming this were true ... how is counting on college kids elitist?
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood May 13, 2008 4:34 PM PDT
"But, there aren''t enough college kids as new voters to make up for the loss of the mainstream democratic base" --bobnjersey

WELL, NOT IN WEST VIRGINIA, ANYWAY!
Reply to this comment
by jack3213 May 13, 2008 4:38 PM PDT
SAT ADIOS TO YOUR PRECIOUS INEXPERIANCED AND UNQUALIFIED DUMMOCRATS. IN THE END, NO MATTER HOW MANY SAY THEY WANT A DUMMOCRAT NOW- THEY WILL NOT LATER- WHY? IT WILL OCCUR THEM THAT AT THAT TIME THEY PAY TOO MUCH IN TAXES AND CAN''T AFFORD WHAT THEY DID IN THE SPRING OF 2008. IN NOV 2008- THEY WILL SWITCH SIDES LIKE THE WIND. WATCH AND LEARN.
Reply to this comment
by Razzl May 13, 2008 4:40 PM PDT
It takes a limited grasp of American social geography to be redefining Pennsylvania and Ohio as "Appalachian" just because some of the mountain range runs through them. The Sierra Club will tell you that Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts are "Appalachian" by those standards. "Appalachian" is a handle used to describe the old coal country; West Virginia and bare parts of some of the adjoining states. McCain is only going to win a small handful of the old red states in November, and Virginia is certainly not going to be one of them. Clinton is trying to sow more doubt with her mistaken notion that Obama would have to take all the same states that Bill Clinton took, but Clinton''s geography as a white southerner is going to be different than Obama''s so there''s no basis for comparison...
Reply to this comment
by bobnjersey May 13, 2008 4:44 PM PDT
[ %u201CThe fact that [Obama] doesn%u2019t pledge allegiance to the flag, he doesn%u2019t wear a flag pin, concern me.%u201D ]

yea ... this is a valid criteria for voting for a president ... unbelievable.
Reply to this comment
by dleschpdx May 13, 2008 4:44 PM PDT
***? Ann Kominar says that she''s opposed to Obama because of his religious beliefs? But, she says she will support the democratic party, and not let them down!!! Doesn''t she realize that the democratic party supports separation of Church and State? Did she see that botched debate hosted by George Stephanopolus where they questioned why Barack wasn''t wearing an American flag... but nobody asked Clinton the same question - She wasn''t wearing one either!!!

I''m patriotic, but I don''t have to prove it by wearing a lapel pin... the simple fact that he is running for President exemplifies his patriotism. As for his FORMER pastor. It wouldn''t matter to me if he was his current pastor. Obama respects and knows the US Constitution through and through and will uphold it with the highest sense of integrity ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."). Much more that guy who was endorsed by Bush... the current President who wipes his arse with it.

GO OBAMA!!!!

Reply to this comment
by truthyness May 13, 2008 4:46 PM PDT
WE DON''T WANT OBAMA IN MICHIGAN!!!
Reply to this comment
by truthyness May 13, 2008 4:47 PM PDT
WE DON''T WANT OBAMA IN MICHIGAN!!!!
Reply to this comment
by truthyness May 13, 2008 4:47 PM PDT
WE DON''T WANT OBAMA IN MICHIGAN!!!!
Reply to this comment
by jy2008 May 13, 2008 4:54 PM PDT
Ever heard "The Emperor''''s New Clothes"

One see the clothes.
One see the color.
One see the body.

LOL
Reply to this comment
by dinkydog1 May 13, 2008 4:58 PM PDT
Sorry Obama, Hillarys been busyer than a West Virgina Tooth Fairy.
Reply to this comment
by mysycophant May 13, 2008 5:01 PM PDT
Every article that questions Obama''s ability to win because of his race is reinforcing the notion that a person''s race can be a problem with respect to their capacity for success. Any article that is written from this perspective is Constitutionally flawed and should be pulled from any American media.
A person''s race might be a problem in Iraq, but it better not be in The United States. To suggest otherwise is unpatriotic and un-American.
Reply to this comment
by veteran72 May 13, 2008 5:10 PM PDT
Reagan Democrats = Republicans
Reply to this comment
by javalation May 13, 2008 5:29 PM PDT
I''m curious, will the Hillary supporters vote for Obama if she campaigns for him?
Reply to this comment
by themagic07 May 13, 2008 5:38 PM PDT
DEAN, PELOSI, KENNEDYS, and REID are ELITIST for DNC Leadership. People are still voting, and these ELITIST democrats want to proclaim the car salesman as the winner. Is this democracy all about? The car salesman (Obama) said that the Michigan and Florida votes are for beauty contest. Give me a break. Sen Hillary has been unfairly treated by these Democrat ELITISTs, including media/pundits.

Remember a vote for this rookie car salesman is a vote for WRIGHT, REZKO, AYERS, AND FARAHKHAN%u2026..OBAMA is dishonest and disgrace. This guy is a joke. PERIOD. He does not deserve my vote!
Reply to this comment
by themagic07 May 13, 2008 5:39 PM PDT
DEAN, PELOSI, KENNEDYS, and REID are ELITIST for DNC Leadership. People are still voting, and these ELITIST democrats want to proclaim the car salesman as the winner. Is this democracy all about? The car salesman (Obama) said that the Michigan and Florida votes are for beauty contest. Give me a break. Sen Hillary has been unfairly treated by these Democrat ELITISTs, including media/pundits.

Remember a vote for this rookie car salesman is a vote for WRIGHT, REZKO, AYERS, AND FARAHKHAN%u2026..OBAMA is dishonest and disgrace. He does not deserve my vote!
Reply to this comment
by micmacarac May 13, 2008 7:29 PM PDT
CLINTON does well in WV or anywhere the voters are uneducated for a reason. Give them $30. off the summers gasoline bill , tell them they are great americans, and that the 90''s were a great time and the nod their heads and vote.
Some of us remember the embarrassment and scandals the Clinton White House produced and want no part of a repeat.
Reply to this comment
by ixoye_02 May 13, 2008 7:40 PM PDT
Perhaps some of these DINOs (Democrat in name only) should re-register as republican. Since WV went for Bush, then the people of West Virginia really deserve what they have today. It''s really sad when people don''t vote their interests when voting for a candidate. And it''s even more sad when people won''t vote for someone because of the color of their skin. Yet, some of these people wouldn''t admit this. What ever happened to judging someone based on their character?
Reply to this comment
by ixoye_02 May 13, 2008 7:40 PM PDT
Perhaps some of these DINOs (Democrat in name only) should re-register as republican. Since WV went for Bush, then the people of West Virginia really deserve what they have today. It''s really sad when people don''t vote their interests when voting for a candidate. And it''s even more sad when people won''t vote for someone because of the color of their skin. Yet, some of these people wouldn''t admit this. What ever happened to judging someone based on their character?
Reply to this comment
by blkpresident May 13, 2008 8:37 PM PDT
Hillbillie Junction=Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky. Isn''t about time these "Ma''s" and "Pa''s" join main stream America? What a bunch of weenies.
Reply to this comment
by popstom1 May 13, 2008 9:22 PM PDT
White don''t need Obama Obama needs white people
So BLK keep spit''in your sshit
Reply to this comment
by paigeinpa May 13, 2008 9:44 PM PDT
Obama needs Webb, Jim Webb to balance out the ticket.

why?....ill tell ya.
-Webb is a reformed rep (a dem no..lol)
-he is a moderate Dem
-he is a veteran whos record matches & surpasses McSame''s.
-his son just served in Iraq
-he was opposed to the war
-he worked in Reagan''s administration (would capture reagan Dems)
-he is scotch-irish with simple upbringing & apppalachian roots
-he is pro guns
-hes a straight shooter
-hes vigorously pushing a bipartisan bill that will help veterans with their education.

Jim Webb for VP.
Reply to this comment
by eroosevelt08 May 13, 2008 11:31 PM PDT
Once the first vote is over at the Democratic Convention, then the Obama delegates are free to vote for the candidate who looks like she can win in the November election. Senator Clinton has a very reall chance to win the nomination.
Reply to this comment
by eroosevelt08 May 13, 2008 11:32 PM PDT
Many Obama supporters have changed their minds after Rezko, Wrignt and the vetting process.


Once the first vote is over at the Democratic Convention, then the delegates are free to vote for the candidate who looks like she can win in the November election. Senator Clinton has a very real chance to win the nomination.
Reply to this comment
by zinc_fence May 14, 2008 1:08 AM PDT
For the most powerful and richest country in the world I am heartbroken that the USA has not grown in tolerance with the rest of the world. I grew up in what you would call a "third world" country and have seen it elect black, white and female heads of state. Its sad to see the skeletons coming out of the closet.
Reply to this comment
by zinc_fence May 14, 2008 1:11 AM PDT
For the most powerful and richest country in the world I am heartbroken that the USA has not grown in tolerance with the rest of the world. I grew up in what you would call a "third world" country and have seen it elect black, white and female heads of state. Its sad to see the skeletons coming out of the closet.
Reply to this comment
by zinc_fence May 14, 2008 1:23 AM PDT
For the most powerful and richest country in the world I am heartbroken that the USA has not grown in tolerance with the rest of the world. I grew up in what you would call a "third world" country and have seen it elect black, white and female heads of state. Its sad to see the skeletons coming out of the closet.
Reply to this comment
by abbe91 May 14, 2008 6:01 AM PDT
Posted by PaigeinPA at 09:44 PM : May 13, 2008

Pretty good analysis. We''ll see what will come out ...
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