Take Your Southern Strategy And Shove It

[marmar]

via AlterNet's PEEK:



Take Your Southern Strategy And Shove It

Posted by Booman, Booman Tribune at 3:26 PM on October 12, 2008.

McCain and Palin's scurrilous and inciteful attacks may still play in modern-day Alabama, but they don't play outside the south.



According to Research 2000, Barack Obama has a 13% national-poll lead on John McCain. According to SurveyUSA, John McCain has a 27% lead in Alabama. George Wallace used to be the governor of Alabama. Here is what George Wallace did to John Lewis:

Lewis put his life on the line at several of the best-known battlegrounds in the modern African American struggle for equal rights. He was arrested numerous times for acting on his beliefs. Lewis was one of a small group of men and women who protested the segregation of interstate bus terminals in 1961 by traveling in integrated groups through the South. These Freedom Rides attracted national attention. When Lewis and others were attacked by white segregationists at a bus station in Montgomery, Alabama, they made national headlines and publicized the plight of blacks under a racially segregated social order.

Here is a pictorial representation of what George Wallace did to John Lewis. Jim Zwerg is checking how many teeth he has left: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/102666/take_your_southern_strategy_and_shove_it/


You can read about what George Wallace did to Jim Zwerg here, and you should never forget what John Lewis and Jim Zwerg did for justice and human rights. There should be statues commemorating their efforts in every town square, because they are the living embodiment of human courage and righteousness. So, when John McCain says that John Lewis is one of his personal heroes, that is a point in John McCain's favor. But when John Lewis warns John McCain that:

Wallace "never fired a gun," Lewis added, "but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed. . . . Senator McCain and Governor Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all."

...he knows what he's talking about. McCain and Palin's scurrilous and inciteful attacks may still play in modern-day Alabama, but they don't play outside the south. Again, let's look at the Research 2000 poll:

McCAIN/OBAMA


NORTHEAST 28 65

SOUTH 53 41

MIDWEST 38 55

WEST 39 53

It looks to me like the Southern Strategy has evolved to the point that it is a strictly southern strategy, with no salience outside of that region. I don't want to pick on the South, but the numbers tell a story. The rest of the country has moved on past the politics of Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay. On November 4th, the country with ratify the official end of successful George Wallace politics ... whether Alabama likes it, or not.


http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/102666/take_your_southern_strategy_and_shove_it/

[beyurslf]

1. As much I want to win every state possible, I really would not mind losing in FL, VA, WV, and NC

just to disprove the ridiculous notion that 1 or 2 southern states are needed to win the presidency.

[YDogg]

3. I would mind. Pedal to the metal.

(I get your point, though).

[FLAprogressive]

5. I would too.

Let's win every state we can.

[n2doc]

10. Like that great southern icon, Ohio? nt

[csziggy]

11. We're going to win in Florida and prove that this hateful "southern strategy" is a loser

And it looks like we might win in some of the other states you named.

But I would love it if we win so big that no one "swing" state or group of states is the tipping point on Nov. 4.

The Southerners I talk to are pissed about the hate speeches that Palin and McCain have been making. As one put it tonight, this is going to turn and bite them and will cost them the election. I am not talking to pro-McCain Southerners - not until after the election and maybe not for a while after that.

[ddeclue]

12. Oh get real.

The difference between winning and losing Florida is 20% of the electoral vote. It's either 10% for you or 10% for your opponent.

The truth is:

The reason Kerry and Gore lost is that they didn't try for the Southern states. Gore didn't try for his own home state and Kerry gave up on Florida when he still had 45 million in the bank on election day.

Obama is doing the right thing trying to win the South and he will win in many places in the South where Kerry and Gore simply didn't try.

The South is NOT "solid red" - not by a long shot. FL Virginia, WV, NC are likely Obama's if existing polls hold and SC and Georgia have an outside chance of going to Obama as well.

Doug D.
Orlando FL.

[Kalyke]

51. Thank you Doug!

I am a Tennessean and one of the 42 percent who didn't vote for Bush in 2004. Do people honestly believe that every single person in the South is either A. racist or B. a Republican?

The most red states in the union, btw, are in the mid-west, not in the South.

If folks here really wanted to change the Southern vote, they would move to a Southern state, thereby, tipping the 40 to 48 percent of current Democratic voters (depending on the state) into the 50 percent margin.

Our biggest problem in the South is not "Southern," it's that there are fewer big cities with an urban population who listens to something other than Rush or Insannity on our commutes into the city for work.

[marions ghost]

57. yes

the divide in this country is Urban VS Rural.

And the rural areas of America are fed Reichwing radio garbage on a daily basis.

Whoever wants to paint the South as The Backward sector should take a look at the Rockies and midwest, AND parts of their own state.

Where I am you can see it clearly. You go a mile out of town and the "McCain?Palin" signs pop up.

[jberryhill]

32. I want North Carolina

A lifelong resident and native of Delaware, my father moved here from North Carolina in the 1950's. He was a different sort of man than his family, which I learned during pre- and post- visit briefings on those vacations we made to Charlotte and to the Smoky Mountains. Yes, they were our relatives, but it was made strictly clear to us that there were attitudes and beliefs they held which were not permitted in our household or in our hearts.

My cousins in NC have managed the hard way to grow beyond the convictions we buried with our grandparents, and I would be so proud to have my cousins show us that North Carolina has finally emerged from a long, long night of unreason.

I am confident in the outcome of this election, but still donating every dollar I can, and intend to hit the limit, but I so dearly want North Carolina to be with us on November 4th.

[bertman]

36. Thank you jberryhill. I want North Carolina in a big way. And I'm working for that goal.

It's amazing the number of Obama signs one sees in N.C. nowadays. The rural areas are mostly McCain-Palin sign country, but the urban areas and suburbs have Obama-Biden signs sprouting up everywhere.

This could be the year that puts us back into the company of civilized states that have foregone their racist heritage. And wouldn't it be nice if we helped Barack by sending Kay Hagan to Washington to replace Liddy Dole?

Here's to North Carolina turning Tarheel Blue this election!!

From a liberal native of Jesse Helms' former bastion of racist conservatism.

P.S. just for the record, Jesse's granddaughter is voting Democratic this election. She supported the openly gay Jim Neal, who ran against Hagan in the primary. Ain't that sweet?

[jberryhill]

38. Spent a week in Boone in 2004

We rented a place along the New River and were impressed by the Kerry/Edwards signs, and even a painted barn up in the hills.

There was a Doc Watson homecoming, which even got me out to church on Sunday morning. Wonderful folks.

If NC goes blue, we'll be back next summer for sure.

[fujiyama]

43. Fuck that

Let's take 'em all and prove a few things:

1) That the new influx of people into VA and NC (including many young professionals) don't harbor the same racist bullshit feelings as the states from which they came from or

2) That the generation that grew up there also don't harbor the feelings of their parents and grandparents generations...

or

3) That people from all over will finally fucking realize that things have become so bad that maybe even racists realize it's time to give the n* a chance. We may actually see such a thing happen. Who knows.

That would be an even more interesting story. We can do it. An African American came close to winning the senate seat in NC against the notoriously racist ass hole Jesse Helms. That was back in the '80s. And an African American won the seat of governor in VA, which only MA has done since.

Demographics have changed even more since then. Both states have attracted some very educated people that will likely vote Democratic. It will be tough, and it will be close but it may just turn the tide.

[marions ghost]

58. NC is up there with FL and OH in election corruption.

You have to factor that in when you talk about changing demographics, which certainly has an effect.

NC should have gone blue years ago if it weren't for sanctioned election rigging in the state. There's a lot of corruption.

[barbtries]

52. i'm IN NC

and i'll be devastated if obama loses here.

[YDogg]

2. John Lewis has more guts than McAdmiral'sSon would have in five lifetimes.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[marmar]

6. Actually, it might have been really bad for my ancestors if we hadn't......

...... My great grandfather might have been working on a plantation in Arkansas rather than making cars in Detroit.

[Justyce]

8. I suppose there aren't any republicans and/or assholes in the northern states...

:eyes:

[brentspeak]

15. You can say that again

The "Obama is an Arab terrorist" lady was from the great southern, Dixie state of...Minnesota.

[Greyhound]

18. Sure there are, we just don't let them run everything. n/t

[jules1962]

46. That is ignorant

If you have never lived in the south,then let me explain something to you. I have lived in Tn all of my life and while yes we have many problems I do not appreciate a fellow Duer putting down the south. There are many Dem's from the south. To stereotype all of us is just ridiculous. You have no clue how miserable it can be to live around all of these repug idiots and not lose it. It sucks.We probably have to work twice as hard to get the dem vote. Think before you start offending people that are trying to get the same result as you in this election.:think:

[brentspeak]

13. Hey, genius: In case you haven't noticed

There are a lot of southern DUers here.

[Lex]

20. What a dumbass thing to say.

[RubyDuby in GA]

23. Funny enough:

Some of the most racist ignorant fucks that I've seen in this entire campaign season have been from those oh so southern places like Pennsylvania and Ohio, but that's ok. I guess its just easier to blame someone else.

It's not like we fight the good fight every freakin day of our lives here and then have to come here and take some more from those supposedly on "our" side...

[ddeclue]

25. Thanks...

they forget that the last 3 Democrats elected to the White House were from the South:

Clinton
Carter
Johnson

Everytime it's been a New England/West Coast only plan a la Bob Shrum we've gotten our asses kicked.

Don't listen to those people who say to write off entire sections of the country - you can't win by playing defense.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[fujiyama]

45. Hell it's all meaningless now anyways

The only reason PA is in play is because of Philly. If Philly didn't account for 1/3 or more of the vote, it would likely go republican.

Similarly with OH - a few urban centers and college towns is all that accounts for these states being in play. If the population was more rural like KY and TN, well that's a different story.

Many of the idiots we've seen at McCain rallies are from northern states - OH, PA, MN (the state that went for Mondale!).

[TahitiNut]

7. I lived in THAT Alabama in 1963 and 1964 ...

... and next month I get to cast my vote for Barack Obama. :party: (This white guy will celebrate.)

[bemildred]

14. This one too, I didn't think I'd ever see it.

It gives you hope for a better world.

[roamer65]

9. The Rethugs are trying to "hide" behind the "Solid South".

Wee need to start to make big dents in the "Solid South".

FL, VA and NC would be a good start.

[jtrockville]

16. "Southern change gonna come at last"

[Lex]

17. Not much about VA and NC that's like Alabama.

I refuse to write off VA and NC.

[ddeclue]

19. The only 2 Southern states I am writing off at this point: AL and MS.

the Repugs can't take anything else for granted at this point. Make them work for every state. Don't cede anything.

[Lex]

21. I agree, ddeclue.

:thumbsup:

[AlinPA]

29. What about KY?

[ddeclue]

31. I think Obama has a chance there..

don't really consider it "the South" though...Kentucky is very similar to Ohio and Obama is got a 10 point lead in OH last I checked.

Doug D.

[Leopolds Ghost]

28. NC: "A valley of humility between two mountains of conceit" (Red VA and SC ca. 1970s)

[phylny]

33. I'm glad, and I'll tell you why.

I now live in a traditionally VERY red area of Virginia. I work in the shadow of Falwell's Liberty University. Yes, there are McCain signs everywhere, but there are OBAMA signs everywhere as well. At the edge of farms, outside mansions, outside of trailers. I'm very encouraged.

[ThoughtCriminal]

22. Whistling Past Dixie

Whistling Past Dixie
by Thomas F. Schaller

"The South is no longer the "swing" region in American politics -- it has swung to the Republicans. Most of the South is beyond the Democrats' reach, and what remains is moving steadily into the Republican column. The twin effects of race and religion produce a socially conservative, electorally hostile environment for most Democratic candidates.

Spending valuable resources in Southern states is a dangerously self-destructive strategy that could serve to relegate Democrats to minority-party status for a generation. Political attitudes and demographic changes in other parts of the country are far more favorable to Democratic messages and messengers. The Midwest and Southwest are the nation's most competitive regions. There are opportunities to expand Democratic margins in the Mountain red states while consolidating control over the reliably blue northeastern and Pacific coast states. Before dreaming of forty nine state presidential landslides, the Democrats ought to first figure out how to win twenty-nine states. And that means capturing Arizona -- or even Alaska -- before targeting Alabama."

http://www.whistlingpastdixie.com/

[ddeclue]

24. This is just SILLY and inaccurate.

Demographics are changing and the South is not the same as 25 years ago.

Your guy doesn't know anything about the South apparently and you'll get to find out on November 4th.

It's DANGEROUS to write off ANY place - especially when you are Obama and have outraised the hell out of John McCain and HAVE plenty of resources to go around.

Howard Dean is RIGHT - you don't win if you don't try in all FIFTY states.


Doug De Clue
Orlando, FL
Democratic Activist and Consultant
www.demsouth.com

[Leopolds Ghost]

27. Funny how that was a self-fulfilling prophecy in 2004.

Explain to me again what Obama has that Kerry didn't vis a vis Southern voters, other than bad advice like this from upper-middle-class pink-tutu-crats (many of whom sat by idly and supported the policies that led us to this point, other than the Iraq war, which they tacitly support now)?

[Juche]

50. The south has alot of potential

In between the 20-40% black population that some deep south states have, the youth vote, the educated progressive communities and people immigrating from other states you'd assume southern states have the power to become swing states. Is it just lack of organization and GoTV efforts or what?

Plus the recent victories of democratic house members in deep red districts in LA and MS shows that the 50 state strategy is working. Even if we can't get presidents in the south, we can still get senators, governors and house members.

[MasonJar]

26. As a Kentuckian, I say that your premises are dead wrong.

#1. Dean is the one who is right and his 50 state agenda and push have made headway in several otherwise red areas, if not whole states. Even if a state goes red for McCain, progress has been made at other levels. Obama recogizes this and has even opened an office in Nebraska and perhaps Idaho. #2 To blame the South for the whole racist tone of this or any election is way out of line. I believe that McCain was in Wisconsin when the audience member called Obama an Arab, as if being an Arab was evil in itself. #3 There are many good voters in every state, out there working for what is right. In Kentucky, we may even get rid of McConnell this year. The Courier Journal and the Lexington Herald Leader will most likely endorse Obama. The state government is and usually has been Democratic. We are moving in the right direction in most areas of this once great land. SMALL STEPS can make a difference. Thank you, Dr. Dean, for your forward thinking 50 state strategy. Thank you, Senator Obama, for bringing such a beautiful mind and such a steady hand and such a monumental heart and soul to the rescue of our once reasonable country. #4 It is outrageous NOT to welcome the states of the South as participants in this (hopefully) historical election. What could be more fitting than that Southern states join in the election of the country's first black president? Now is the proper time to cease "the War Between the States.

[AlinPA]

30. PA has a lot of racism. It's everywhere in the U.S.

[phylny]

34. Northwest Indiana

Probably the most racist place we have ever lived.

[Swamp Rat]

35. k&r

[Poseidan]

37. southern strategy?

Let's call a dog a dog. It's the confederate strategy. They barely hide it anymore. The Confederate flag, a symbol of treason, civil war, extreme division, and outright hatred for and hostility towards the United States, is being flown and celebrated all over the south (and elsewhere, as the confederate thinking has spread).

It all started forty years ago, when Republicans allied with the Confederate states. It did not take long though, before the Republican party could not survive without the Confederacy. Naturally, in a representative government, this means Confederate thinking had to enter both politics and policy. But after 40 years of disasters, the new Confederate movement is bloody and broken. An interesting difference though, is how this time around, Confederate ways spilled onto foreign shores, ensuring complete global opposition.

When the Confederacy is again beaten, we must ensure it can never regain strength.

[Lex]

39. Kansas, Idaho, Wyoming, Oklahoma . . .

[KansDem]

59. The irony is Kansas used to be considered "progressive." (nt)

[Kalyke]

54. Except that makes no sense, either.

The South voted for both Carter and Clinton as recently as 1996 (with the exception of a couple of states here and there).

So you're telling me that it took 40 years for some alleged "Confederate" strategy to work? Bullshit.

The biggest difference between 1996 and today is two-fold: The South has no counter to all the right-wing hate radio (with the exception of some radio in Atlanta and Memphis) and Democrats fail, up until this year, to even attempt to penetrate the South.

BTW, it's less of a "Confederate" movement than it is a redneck one - replete with the hatred of intellectualism and free-thought.

[mentalsolstice]

40. You know what, I live in Birmingham, and I'm so sick of this!

For the past 30+ years our mayor has been African-American, as well as the majority of our city council and county commission. Mayor Richard Arrington was one of the first successful African American politicians, and our city is proud of his 25+ years of service. My husband worked under him for the majority of his career as an urban planner. My congressman, whom I've met with several times, and love dearly, is Artur Davis. Our state legislature is purple. In any gubernatorial race, a repub or a Dem could win, it's usually close. Anyone here ever hear of Don Siegelman? Yeah, well, we shop at the same grocery as his wife, and see them regularly at the same restaurants we frequent. Most of our city has been supportive of him.

I'm white, however, I've always lived in neighborhoods that were at least 50-50, have gone to churches that were mixed, and worked in jobs that were racially diverse. I, and most of the people I know are proud of our diverse city. On the job, at church, and across our fences we talk openly about race relations.

However, because our major industries are medicine and banking (although that's dwindling FAST), we have a large contingent of "non-southerners" here. It's so funny how condescending they can be...they think we're low-information even though we're a major college town and many of us hold post-graduate degrees. And when talking about race relations, they will whisper the word "black." White and black, we'll look at them like WTF?

Yes there are parts of our state that is still racist, I'll admit that. But I've traveled far and wide in this country, and I've encountered racists wherever I've been. I've also met so many northern transplants who have moved here, who insist on living in an all-white suburb, who will insist the city proper is unsafe, who grab their purses close to themselves when an African American is in the vicinity, who lock their car doors when riding downtown, and who refuse to be downtown after 5:00 pm.

Those of us, black and white, who have been here for a long time, have a good laugh at their expense. So when you blue-staters are writing off those of us who live in red states...just a heads up, those of us that live in urban areas of red states, well, we consider ourselves more progressive and evolved than "y'all."

[Greyhound]

41. It's about far more than race, it is a cultural divide, made impassable

by the fact that one side will not bend.

Personally, I don't believe that anyone should be forced to participate in that which they find distasteful or offensive, therefore you should feel free to leave and we should let you go.

[mentalsolstice]

55. My point proved!

Many "non-southerners" refuse to realize that many southerners are evolved and just as informed and progressive as they are. You're the ones that won't bend, you're like school-yard bullies, always looking for someone to pick on.

And sorry I'm not leaving...

[Greyhound]

60. Show us that your reply is not just more BS, please name the issue that "we" will not bend on. n/t

[spoony]

49. well put n/t

[fujiyama]

42. It might not even play outside the very deep south and parts of Appalachia

VA, NC, and FL are all in play after all...and if you look at it extremely optimistically, you might say GA is as well (I lean a bit on the conservative side so I'll say it isn't).

The republican strategy through the last 30-40 years will hopefully be proven to be garbage on Nov 4. If Obama takes VA, NC, AND FL, we can say the southern strategy may be dead.

[JCMach1]

44. Keep to the Dean 50 state strategy... it worked in 2006 and is working

in 2008

[Vickers]

47. Man, it's tough being a Southern Liberal some days...

Don't give up on us, baby!

/david_soul

:P

[Are_grits_groceries]

48. Y'all want to kill mockingbirds too?

Just recently a great essay was written on DU about Atticus from "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Barack Obama.
That book has always been my favorite, and a lot of people carried on about how that was their favorite book too. Well guess what? You can't get rid of the South without getting rid of Atticus, Scout, Jem, and even Boo. Sure you will get rid of the Ewells and the Cunninghams, but you will lose a great deal. TKAM is my favorite book because it shows all of the South. It has the courageous right up there with the meanness. Atticus didn't parachute in from Akron or Detroit to save the day. He was Southern to the bone. He was just a different part of this region that is ignored. Google Judge Frank M. Johnson when you finish wishing we would disappear. Google Myles Horton and Reverend Will D. Campbell. It is hard enough to live down here constantly pushing and then come to DU and be trashed all over again. If we go, Atticus and Boo are coming with us.
:rant:

[bigtree]

53. recommended

:kick:

[Scriptor Ignotus]

56. McCain is up huge in Alabama

but not as big (down to single digit lead now) in both Mississippi and Georgia. Anyone know why?