Obama Supporters Mocking West Virginia Are Missing the Point.

[Barack_America]

Listen, I know that despite Obama now being the "presumptive Democratic nominee" many of us are still on edge. We all know what this "electability" issue is really about and have every right to be disappointed with our party and our country for even considering it.

That being said, heaping all of this frustration and anxiety onto West Virginia is simply unfair. True Hillary will win in a landslide tonight and racism will play no small part in that victory. But if you believe that racism hasn't been a factor in most, if not all, of our elections thus far, you are fooling yourselves. Look no further than the primaries in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania after Obama assumed "front-runner" status.

So to hold West Virginia up as some sort of poster-child for racism in this country is not only wrong (as racism exists in EVERY state in this union in one form or another), but it is completely missing the point of the Obama campaign and Obama's message altogether.

If I could sum up his message in one sentence, it would be this: We Are All in This Together.

And yes, that includes West Virginia too.

Do you all remember this video that we clung to when it was not so certain others would see in Obama's candidacy what we saw?

Can you honestly watch that video and tell me that our candidate would want us to paint an entire population and state in such broad strokes? To dismiss a people as being somehow beneath us? To write off a state suffering from dependence on a dying industry and lack of educational opportunities as being "backwards" and thus worthless? (forgive me as, being a native of Michigan, this one strikes particularly close to home).

Excuse me but, aren't they "us"? Aren't we "one people"? Aren't their problems our problems? Isn't that what this campaign is about?

True, we must fight to take our country in a different direction when it comes to racism, but isn't that a burden that we ALL share? Doesn't shunning people who harbor those beliefs only deepen the divide?

Sorry if this sounds preachy, I did not intend it to be. But what has always drawn me to Obama has been his willingness to at least try to understand where others are coming from. Not to dismiss them or fight them, but to work together wherever possible.

That's it. Enjoy the returns tonight. All I ask is that we tone down the inevitable West Virginia bashing a bit. We've got some great DUers and Democrats from West Virginia, after all.

Thanks for your consideration.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. WV is beautiful

[AllentownJake]

2. I disagree on one point

I've been making fun of West Virginia and New Jersey long before Obama was even a state Senator.

Mostly because New Jersey is accross the river and their obnoxious drivers and West Virginia has too many speed traps. I think that might actually be part of their state budget.

[Cant trust em]

3. Jake, you're on fire today.

Seems like every WV post there is you're on top of it. The U.S. is a fascinating place. I need to get out more.

[AllentownJake]

6. I'm sure the people

of New Jersey and West Virginia say the same things about us.

When I lived in Indiana the opinions I heard of the people from Ohio and Michigan was pretty much similar.

[Cant trust em]

10. You learn something new everyday. I had no idea of the rivalries you have there.

The best I can do is San Francisco vs. L.A. Everyone I talk to who lives up here hates L.A.

[AllentownJake]

12. California is bigger

and everyone in the country hates you :rofl:

I kid I kid.

[Cant trust em]

13. I love going to other parts of the country, and they talk to me like I'm from Mars.

It's always a nice treat for me.

[AllentownJake]

15. Everyone can say what they want over

West Virginia hate day....they get it for a day...California gets it 365 days a year.

[Cant trust em]

22. When regular people do it, the CA ribbing is funny.

But what really pisses me off is when politicians take shots at "San Francisco latte-sipping elitists" and then show up to ask me for money.

[AllentownJake]

25. Its an easy target

San Francisco = Gay in the media. Nevermind everything else about the city. Gay people are free to be who they are there so it's an easy target.

When they are bashing San Francisco they aren't bashing the city....they are bashing gay people. Its actually more despicable in my eyes than what's being said about WV I digress however.

[Cant trust em]

29. Don't even get me started.

I knew I should have quit while I was a head and we were just talking funny stuff.

[AllentownJake]

32. Sorry

[Cant trust em]

33. It's OK. Looking at my avatar always cheers me up.

He needs a snack.

[BryMan]

49. Snack eh?

*tosses the big fishy a few baby seals* LOL yeah, yeah I went there PETA ppl. :evilgrin:

[Cant trust em]

50. What's not ethical treatment about a snaack?

Shark's gotta eat.

[potone]

53. Indeed! How about a Republican or two?

Sushi!

[Cant trust em]

54. Too quick for them. Shark's teeth are sharp.

How about death by sea lion?

[potone]

60. That works for me!

We've all been tortured for 7 long years and it isn't over. You have some especially tasty Republicans in southern California. I know what, you can send them up here to Oregon to feed our sea lions! We have too many hungry ones eating our salmon.

[Cant trust em]

62. Orange County would provide lots of tasty meats for those sea lions.

[potone]

70. It certainly would. It's a win/win situation!

You, by the way, have a wicked sense of humor!:-)

[greguganus]

72. You were a head? n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

35. And here it's Anchorage and Fairbanks

which we affectionately call "Squarebanks." :)

[Cant trust em]

38. Yeah. Fairbanks. Fuck those motherfuckers.

just kidding.

Sorry for the vulgar language, but it wouldn't have been as funny otherwise.

[Blue_In_AK]

61. Fairbanks is a haven

for some of Alaska's most rabid conservatives, so I'll agree with you there. :rofl:

Although I have to qualify that somewhat by saying that the very wonderful DUer NorthOfDenali lives up there, so it does at least have that redeeming quality.

[Cant trust em]

63. My roommate spent two months last summer cruising around AK

His pictures are amazing. I really want to go.

[Blue_In_AK]

64. You'd love it.

I think everybody ought to get up here at least once in their lives. It's not like anyplace in the Lower 48.


San Francisco and the Bay Area used to be my favorite place until I moved up here. I lived down there in the early '70s.

[woolldog]

73. It's funny b/c few in LA hate SF.

And few in LA even realize that they're hated by those in SF. I've lived in both places and that was an interesting disconnect.

[Cant trust em]

74. I'm not sure what it is about L.A. that inspires so much disdain among San Franciscans

I can't all be because of the driving and traffic.

[Barack_America]

4. Okay then, can we agree not to do it in his name?

:shrug:

As a Michigander, I have a seemingly genetic distaste for Ohio. I will refrain if you will refrain.

;)

ETA: Did you end up going down there?

[AllentownJake]

7. The people of Indiana

Agree with you...however Michigan is only a slight step above Ohio in their eyes..

[Heather MC]

67. GO BUCKS!!!

[PM7nj]

9. Maybe if Pennsylvanians learned HOW to drive, we wouldn't be se obnoxious!

:spank:

[AllentownJake]

11. Damn you to hell New Jersey!!!

There isn't a day that goes by in my life that you won't hear explitive New Jersey Driver.

[eridani]

71. You could try fixing your roads, too n/t

[PM7nj]

5. Thank you.

The WV bashing has been ridiculous. Thank you for this.

[calmblueocean]

8. Couldn't agree more.

When was the last time you were convinced to change your mind by someone else's contempt for you?

Answer: Never.

But I bet you can think of a time that someone showed contempt for you that made you sure you'd never change your mind, just to spite that person.

[Barack_America]

14. Contempt.

That is the word I was looking for, but didn't find.

Thank you and I couldn't agree more.

[Carrieyazel]

16. Good post. Some Obama supporters seem fixated on bashing an entire state

while at the same time promoting a "50-state strategy", and "we need to compete in every state."

[AllentownJake]

20. Except New Jersey

[still_one]

17. your point is good, however when one campaign trys to exploit race that IS the problem

[FARAFIELD]

18. ummm... YOU are missing the point

People MOCK WV anyhow. I live in NC, (Im not from here) and people her DEMS and likewise Mock them all the time. I always say it should say welcome to WV and show an humoungus traffic ticket. The most popular Joke here about WV's are "What was the West Virginians Last words?" answer "hey look at me!". And so it goes. I dont mock them, its just clear (and to OBAMA as well when you look back to his leaked Prediction thingy) that he was going to get wasted in KY, WV and Tenn And OK. thats just the way it goes WV is a zero, it will not matter, isnt in play. Neither is Alabama, but we dont hear Hillary going on about it. They simply are voting against Obama and that doesnt bother me (other than that is a silly reason). But to them he is an outsider, and it might as well be the 21st Hijacker running against Hillary, and Ill give you one more reality check. If edwards was still in the race he would kick obamas ass as well. Its just the nature of the state.

[Barack_America]

23. Actually, the point was that we shouldn't be mocking West Virginia for Obama's sake...

Because he would likely not appreciate it.

People's inherent predjudices towards one state or another are their own, although of questionable benefit.

[Raejeanowl]

27. It Certainly Doesn't Help The "Elitist" Rap, Does It? n/t

[Barack_America]

30. Too true. n/t

[Blondiegrrl]

52. John Edwards is on the ballot in WV.

I'll bet he'll get a substantial number of votes, despite the fact that he's no longer in the race.

[qazplm]

19. you are right

until Obama came along no one ever made fun of WV. Or Mississippi. Or Alabama. Or Louisiana.

This is ridiculous.

[Barack_America]

28. See post #23.

Sure we all have our little "interstate rivalries", some in good fun, some not. But to dismiss an entire state as backwoods rednecks for the sake of our candidate is certainly not helpful.

[qazplm]

31. whatever "we" do is irrelevant

Obama hasn't dismissed WV as "backwards rednecks".

He's written it off as a sure Clinton win sure, but Hillary did the same thing in several of Obama's big win states and no one accused her of anything.

[Barack_America]

37. Actually, I think it is relevant.

DU and the collective blogosphere are increasingly setting the tone for the media in this country. We represent Obama's campaign here (in whatever small part) and that does matter.

Shall I dig up the "one voice can change a room" video for you? It's actually featured at the end of the video I linked.

One post can change a message board...and if it can change a message board, it can change the blogosphere...

;)

[AllentownJake]

40. You've insprired me

As soon as this election is over. My campaign to make New Jersey and independent Country and to have their drivers removed from PA's rodes will begin.

[Berry Cool]

21. I'm from Cleveland. Everybody laughs at us.

Of course, we have had our fun with West Virginia and Kentucky, in part because being from Ohio, we need someone to pretend we are better than. That's what it's all about, isn't it--pretending you're better than those people over there?

Seriously, there is no "them" when it comes to America. It's US.

And, because I know what it was like to have Ohio derided as Racist Central when we had our primary, and what it was like to have been blamed for Bush's victory in 2004 even though I did not vote for him, you will not find me taking easy collective potshots at West Virginians.

Sure, it has its racists. So does every state. The question is, what are we going to do about it? Ridicule people, or find a way to change things?

[hfojvt]

24. country roads, take me home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEZgpJ9TfjE

anybody who beats Duke is okay in my book.

[TheFarseer]

26. I feel like WV should be mostly on our side

The side that wants good jobs for hard-working Americans. I think we haven't given them enough reasons to vote for us. We can be for that stuff all we want, but GOP has delivered on unrestricted gun rights, chipping away at abortion and tax cuts (which I feel most in WV would want) We've got to deliver on jobs, energy policy and healthcare. This, I feel Obama can do.

To illustrate my point, in 2000, our Senator Ben Nelson ran against a total crackpot, whose only real issue was pro-death penalty, and almost lost 50-49%. Ben did a good job representing us. By 2006, people recognized that Ben did a good job representing us and he defeated an even better funded crackpot by a wide margin. Results matter.

[jefferson_dem]

34. I agree!

The "WV doesn't count" excuse is beneath this campaign. We mocked Hillary's folks for doing the same thing.

The 50-state strategy is what it is. We should fight for every vote every where.

That way, once elected, Obama will be POTUS of All the People...as it should be!

[AllentownJake]

36. Except for New Jersey

I really don't think we need to include them.

[PM7nj]

39. Nah... Just North Jersey.

We really should let them form their own country. :D

[AllentownJake]

41. Awesome

Starting around Phillipsburg.

[Barack_America]

43. There's only one way to fix this...

I'm driving you over to New Jersey in your car. When we get there, I'm jumping out and leaving you stranded without the $3 you need to get back. That way, you'll be dependent on the good folks of NJ to help you get home.

(as a safety clause, you are permitted to cross for free at Lambertville, if it takes you longer than 2 weeks before anybody helps you out ;))

[AllentownJake]

45. I'd rather walk

than get into a car with them. Might take a while but my statistical chance of surviving will be much better.

[a la izquierda]

57. Ok, really??

I would rather slit my throat than drive in PA. Ever. Again. Worse than driving in Texas.

I grew up in NJ. We know what we're doing and demand you do the same, or get the hell out of the way.:evilgrin:

[AllentownJake]

58. Good

Stay the fuck out of my state!

Are people starting to see how ridiculous this West Virginia thing is?

[a la izquierda]

68. wow, did you not get the fucking joke?

there was a smiley devil next to it.
i would stay out of your state, but my beloved sister lives in scranton. i'll stay out of your unhinged way though. jeezum pete.
lighten the fuck up!!!

[jefferson_dem]

47. 90% of what I know about NJ I learned from Tony Soprano.

Is that wrong?

[Cant trust em]

42. You should post this as an OP.

Good stuff here.

[PM7nj]

48. New Jersey. "You can come in for free but you have to pay to leave."

[dailykoff]

44. She should have campaigned for the nominee, and that's Obama.

She didn't. She's a disgrace.

[LisaL]

51. He is not the nominee.

Did he get enough votes for the nomination? No. Until and unless he does, shut up.

[BeyondGeography]

46. Hazel Dickens is a cool old gal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ARJ9UoFa5U&feature=related

[AllentownJake]

55. Sorry I crapped New Jersey all over here

I just think this entire bash West Virginia than the holier than thou defend it shit is ridiculous.

I started my own New Jersey thread. Hopefully people get it is satire.

[Barack_America]

65. Thanks for clarifying...

I figured that's what it was all about. But then again, I'm not a native Pennsylvanian and I have noticed a strong NJ hatred since I moved here, so...

[JeanGrey]

56. I am not in it "together" for anyone who is racist. Period.

Irregardless of the people who are racist, Obama will be the nominee and the President. Those that are bigots will have to learn to get over it. It's better for them anyway, the sooner they start the better. We aren't going to put up with racism anymore. You can bluster and spew hate, but you will be ignored - at the polls and in life.

[Barack_America]

66. Please see post #59

I think that says it better than I could have.

[carolinayellowdog]

59. Attacks on entire states are misguided and counterproductive

But DU is not nearly as bad now as it was after the 2004 election when a horrifying number of DUers expressed hatred for the entire South and all Southerners, proudly and repeatedly. At the time, I noticed a West Virginian and a Kentuckian piling on attacking the ignorant, bigoted Southerners-- and thought who the hell are they to look down on Virginia which is a lot less ignorant and bigoted than their states? This time around, and since the 2006 election really, Virginians have been lauded instead of insulted because of our voting, but having been on the receiving end of regional hatred in 2004-05 I feel sorry for the West Virginian DUers today.

Hating an entire state is only a notch down on the scale of evil from hating an entire region, or an entire nation, or an entire gender. It's stereotyping and scapegoating, saving they're all alike and they're all to blame. That's pure evil.

[a la izquierda]

69. i live in Oklahoma now.

we get shit on constantly.
and i grew up in NJ, apparently the butt of the joke on this board. :)
i'm damned either way.