Wow !!! - Some Blunt Talk In West Virginia !!!

[WillyT]

Polls tighten in W.Va. as race takes back seat
By BEN SMITH | 10/19/08 7:22 AM EDT

<snip>

LOGAN, W.Va. — West Virginia's Democratic leaders on Saturday embarked on a winding, eight-county bus tour through the south of the state, and in one small mining town after another, they sold Barack Obama to small crowds of Democrats with remarkable directness.

"He is black" was the first thing Kenny Perdue, the state's AFL-CIO president, said. "The gentleman that's in the White House and John McCain — they're white men. And I'm absolutely ashamed of what George W. Bush has done to this country."

The president of the United Mine Workers, Cecil Roberts, spoke after Perdue in a parking lot set in the flat plateau below the remains of a strip-mined mountain.

"I'd rather have a black friend than a white enemy," he said. State Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey spoke too. Casey, 57, grew up Irish Catholic in Charleston, and he said the bus was following John F. Kennedy's bus route in the 1960 Democratic primary.

"There's a lot of people out there think you're a bunch of inbred, redneck racists," he told a couple dozen people wearing union hats and jackets. "They say you won't vote for a man who's black."

"The rest of the country thought when Kennedy ran we were a bunch of ignorant, inbred religious bigots," he said. "They were wrong, and we made Kennedy president."

As a local judicial candidate spoke in Logan, two of the politicians wandered off to marvel at the scene taking place behind them. There, a polite, black former Marine, Mitchell Cook, was handing blue Obama bumper stickers and yard signs to drivers pulling into the mall and was even attaching the bumper stickers himself to some of the pickups and battered two-doors.

"Twenty, 30 years ago, if you had a black man stopping cars, handing out signs right here, he would have been shot," said state Auditor Glen Gainer. "Now they're stopping, asking him to put on stickers."

West Virginia isn't exactly a battleground state. After Obama was shellacked here by Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary — the southern coal counties voted for her by margins as high as 8-to-1 — both his campaign and John McCain's assumed he'd lose it.

And with good reason: West Virginia represents a cross-section of the voters who have been hardest for Obama to reach. It's among the oldest, whitest and least-educated states in America. It was the place where reporters found white Democrats who freely use the N-word and swore they'd never vote for Obama.

But maybe the campaigns and the press misread the depth of prejudice in West Virginia. Or maybe, since the May primary, something has changed here.

The state is also a historic Democratic stronghold, if one where Democrats sometimes put the words "NRA member" beneath their names on campaign signs. And four recent public polls suggested the race here has closed from a double-digit McCain lead to a slender one.

<snip>

More: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14707.html

:wow:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Sad.

[WillyT]

3. Sad, Maybe, That It Has To Be Done, But I'm Glad They're Doing It !

:shrug:

[dkf]

23. This has the potential to change peoples hearts.

Give it a chance.

[roguevalley]

31. I agree. No niceties. Lets just talk about it. You have to give union

men a hand. They are awesome when they roll.

RV, a union person 30 years and loving the IBEW and TEAMSTERS and AFSCME and SEIU and you name it right now.

[SwampG8r]

39. not sad at all

this is making the one issue most likely to be in the back of these voters minds roll out and have the sunshine hit it

we need to be happy for these people
they are dealing openly with racism
and winning
they are getting the rare opportunity to let their best side shine

[Bake]

44. Absolutely! Put it right out there on the table.

I admire what they're doing. Talk about some "straight talk!"

Bake

[kirby]

2. Not sad - it is good to have sunshine on this issue. n/t

[glowing]

4. Awesome.. You know that's an area Barack will want to help pull up..

Seriously, I don't think he liked what he saw.. There are a lot of poor people in that region... people like Barack has said, "were left behind a long time ago". The one thing poor people are smart in doing is voting for their pocket book.. that's good.

[TwilightGardener]

5. That's good. No point in dancing around it.

[Lugnut]

17. Exactly.

Talking about racism and confronting the prejudice is the only way to get beyond it.

[Phx_Dem]

22. Exactly. He's telling it to them straight.

Sometimes the truth is hard to hear, but it needs to be said just the same. If you don't want to be thought of as a racist, then don't act like one.

[John Q. Citizen]

6. That's awesome. I'm glad they aren't running from racism.

[JitterbugPerfume]

7. good for them

it is good to bring their prejudices out into the sunshine

sunlight purifies

[Cha]

8. Rec'd! Just Freakin' WOW!

"There's a lot of people out there think you're a bunch of inbred, redneck racists," he told a couple dozen people wearing union hats and jackets. "They say you won't vote for a man who's black."

"The rest of the country thought when Kennedy ran we were a bunch of ignorant, inbred religious bigots," he said. "They were wrong, and we made Kennedy president."

I really do love ..Not tippy toeing..we've got the truth and the facts on our side. They don't hesitate to shout out their lies ..why should we hesitate to Shout OUT what's gonna on?

[annabanana]

9. How long has it been since a Democrat got here and represented?

How long has it been since they've heard a populist message? How long has it been? There are some very smart people out there. I'll bet that a lot of them are sick and tired of being typecast by the Republicans as racist and ignorant. I'll bet they know EXACTLY what "low information voter" really means.

We may not take WV. But I'll go dollars to donuts that we do better than the beltway predicts.

[Skwmom]

29. Well, since it's been reported that the electronic voting machines have flipped

Obama votes to McCain, obviously someone thinks he can take WV. If he's even close, I'll consider it won.

[quantass]

10. Great Article..Thank you...I think it is a great approach..make them wake up

[ogneopasno]

11. Thank you, labor!

Doing the right thing for more than 100 years.

[eshfemme]

12. I love the unions!

Seriously, these guys are just awesome for helping Barack out.

[rebel with a cause]

26. There is a reason that republicans and big business hate

the unions. Got to love them and the working person that supports them.

[RichardRay]

13. When the American Labor Movenent was great this is what they did

and it will be great again when it gets back to this.

Today the 'AFL-CIO' means very little - remember that there was a time when either of those organizations had a stature that no American institution can claim today.

[mucifer]

14. Lots of improvement with the unions many unions have had a very scary racist history.

But, history is changing now.

:bounce:

[Beregond2]

15. This is EXACTLY the right approach. Appeal to their pride,

and their common sense.

[iamthebandfanman]

18. yup,its all they have

and itll work every time

[Motown_Johnny]

16. ......"a bunch of inbred, redneck racists"....... here is the chance to prove you are not racist

wow what a dumb way to phrase that

[Beregond2]

24. I don't agree.

I think that is exactly the way to get their backs up.

[asdjrocky]

19. When you're down in a hole,

What does the color of the hand matter when it's pulling you out? That's all he needs to say, and that's all we need to know as Americans. We are in that hole.

[SwampG8r]

41. i like that

can i use that?

[goclark]

20. The best,"I'd rather have a black friend than a white enemy,"

K and R....


I'm African American ans it goes both ways, I truly understand, "I'd rather have a White Friend than a Black Enemy."

This election will be a real CHANGE for America because it speaks to the best in all of us.

I don't care what color my friends are or what their middle name is --
I love ALL my friends and nurture and value them

[rebel with a cause]

27. there is a saying I heard somewhere from a white coal miner when .

asked about racism and how he felt about working with African Americans. "When we come out from the mines, we are all Black."

And this is coal mining country. They are interested in jobs, their jobs. Barack has supported the research into how to clean coal and that is important to them and other coal mining areas. If their product can be used and their jobs made secure, that is good for them, their families and the area. If other industry could be brought in, that is good for workers, their families, and the areas. This is how to reach the poor working class. This is what in their life is important because it means their survival.

As far as them speaking bluntly. Working people usually speak blunter than higher educated folks. Even though I have a high education, I am a very blunt speaker perhaps because I have also been a factory worker and grew up in a coal mining community. It is something that has gone against me at times but something that comes with being honest about things. I don't say things that are hurtful or spiteful, but I will tell the truth about what is going on in the world around me even it is not flattering to myself. I am blunt about life period. :) :shrug:

[davsand]

42. Sometimes education breeds a tendency to BS your way thru the tough stuff.

Not always--but sometimes--people can leave college incapable of saying shit when they have a mouthful of it. Thankfully, that is not always the case. I also tend to be a bit blunt, and I am also "educated."

Racism is a FACT in this nation and not talking about it is what has kept it alive for this long. This country stopped actively talking about racism sometime in the 70's and it has pretty much festered since then except for a few sparkling exceptions. Racism is NOT peculiar to any one locality and it is not limited to any ONE ethnic group or gender. Lest you think I am full of crap just stop and consider the idea that Obama is being labeled not ONLY an angry black man (in the context of Rev Wright--his Christian Minister) but, now, also a MUSLIM! About the only thing they have missed (for the perfect trifecta!) is his immigration status!

I am so very proud of the Labor guys for having this discussion head on in a public way. I am also so VERY proud of those union men for standing with their brothers and sister--no MATTER what color they are.



Laura

[XOKCowboy]

21. Happy to K&R...

Thanks for the article. I'll bump it back to the top.

[WillyT]

25. Thanks !!!

:hi:

[XOKCowboy]

32. You're welcome..

Kicking again...

[Name removed]

28. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CitizenPatriot]

30. k & r

this is awesome -- it brought tears to my eyes.

I agree with the above poster. Insulation does things to people that aren't necessarily a reflection of their hearts.

In the end, every step taken toward a common understanding is a step against racism. I know it's painful to see this stuff up close, but it's also coming into the light...and hence, ready to be shed for good.

The younger generations will have much less racism. I applaud the spirit of the workers, the unions, and each person who has grown up insulated but who is willing to open their heart and mind.

I never had to make that change, because I was lucky enough to be brought up by liberal, progressive parents who deliberately sent me to a school where I would make friends with people from all over the world. I am in no position to judge someone who didn't have those experiences -- and I honor and support their efforts to change, even when their words make my heart hurt.

[quidam56]

33. END MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL !!!

http://www.wisecountyissues.com

[RagAss]

34. frank talk like this can save this country.....

[mentalsolstice]

35. My husband and I are dreaming of retiring to this beautiful state

We're so happy to see it's "in play". We have fallen in love with Lewisburg, as it gives us both the cultural and outdoor/sporting opportunities we seek (camping, bicycling, fishing, cross-country skiing). The first time we visited we were simply tourists on our way home from PA. On our subsequent visits, we have visited neighborhoods and participated in local events (attending pub nights, etc.). It's a small town with a med school, so it's higher educated and income. Yet, driving through the neighborhoods, we were impressed with all of the yard signs that said "Bring back our troops, NOW." We have also been impressed with the fact that there is a large medical community, and it seems to be pretty liberal and concerned with rural concerns.

I know my current state of residence is going to go for McCain (although my congressional district will, hopefully, go for Obama), I'm dying to see how WVA plays out!

[freestyle]

36. Organized Labor is not done yet.

Enacting the Employee Free Choice Act is a huge priority for labor, and it requires a Senate that won't block it and a President who will sign it. Unions are more active than ever in this election and can make a huge difference in states like WV that have lots of older union members and their families.

[olegramps]

37. If working class Americans what a fair shake they will Unionize!

Strong Unions are the ONLY hope for a fair deal. It is no coincidence that their demise has been matched with the demise of the Working Classes' economic wellbeing. Far too many Democrats have bought into the bull crap of the Republican's propaganda and have assisted in their own economic suicide. Strong unions can have a powerful influence on congress and stop representatives from selling them out. It is the lousy politicians who are providing rewards to business for outsourcing their jobs and incorporating offshore to avoid paying taxes. The working class stood by as leading institutions lobbied congress to be able to raise interest rates to astronomical levels that amount to usury and bankrupting tens of thousands. We must demand that immoral usury rates that are meant to keep Joe Six-Pack owing his soul to the company store be abolished.

[olegramps]

38. I remember the Tennessee Ernie Ford Song

Sixteen tons and what do you get, another day older and deeper in debt.
I owe my soul to the company store.

That is the blue print that the Republicans had for the American worker and by God they achieved it. Sadly with the workers assisting in their own economic suicide.

[Rhythm]

40. Another K&R from the Wild and Wonderful...

:woohoo:

[wvbygod]

43. He does not speak for anyone in WV

Him projecting his bigotry and racism on others is foolish and unwarranted.
He can speak for him self if he holds such racism, but he does not speak for the majority of people here.