Obama Should Try W.Va. Strategy (votes, campaign, Democrats, Republican)
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Link to Op-Ed Piece
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/OPINION02/806120364 - broken link)
I like this little piece about the Scots-Irish of Appalachia and why we as a people don't like Obama. This guy KINDA gets it a little bit, but even this barely scratches the surface. Marginalization, pretentious attitudes about us, the feeling that nobody gives a **** about you. Refreshing to hear after having my people trashed by the entire country for a month for being classified as subhuman trash. Maybe give some of the younger "progressives" around here who are prejudiced against Appalachians some perspective. Or maybe it won't.
Quote:
They are often described as having what scholars call an "oppositional culture." This is found among people who have a historic grievance against the power structure, and an ongoing sense of marginalization. Blacks, Jews and Arab Americans all have aspects of an oppositional culture. Such peoples view the political system with a suspicion that other people just don't like them. They are sometimes difficult, often fixated on symbolic slights.
Today, the Scots-Irish are among the poorest Americans. They are also among the least respected, often described as hillbillies, rednecks, trailer trash, fundamentalists. They are blamed for sexism and racism. When Obama said that such people cling to their bigotry, Bibles and guns, he said exactly what they suspected he and his supporters were saying behind their back. This has to be fixed.
Interestingly, Obama actually does have a decent shot in this state. He's only down a few points in the last poll that was released.
Location: Jonquil City (aka Smyrna) Georgia- by Atlanta
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They are often described as having what scholars call an "oppositional culture." This is found among people who have a historic grievance against the power structure, and an ongoing sense of marginalization. Blacks, Jews and Arab Americans all have aspects of an oppositional culture. Such peoples view the political system with a suspicion that other people just don't like them. They are sometimes difficult, often fixated on symbolic slights.
Today, the Scots-Irish are among the poorest Americans. They are also among the least respected, often described as hillbillies, rednecks, trailer trash, fundamentalists. They are blamed for sexism and racism. When Obama said that such people cling to their bigotry, Bibles and guns, he said exactly what they suspected he and his supporters were saying behind their back. This has to be fixed.
I hate it everytime people- including Patrick Buchannon brings up the fact that these people are Irish. A majority might be but not all of them by far. And just because a person might be Irish does not mean we are all drunken racist trailer park trash. And, if it has to be "fixed" then they have to "fix" it. Nobody else can.
Seriously he isnt going to win there so why bother spending money?
He is within 8 points and you hit the nail on the head. He will be able to outspend McCain on media by a large margin just like Clinton. He will be forcing McCain to compete in every state and spend his limited funds in every state and come up short somewhere. So yes you could say he is flushing money down the toilet if he loses but McCain will be flushing it to win. By all indications Obama can do more flushing state to state. That is part of their strategy.
Such a massive financial advantage will allow Obama to compete in more states than McCain and force his rival to defend states that should rightfully be Republican wins.
Obama’s use of such tactics has already been on display in the primary.
Pennsylvania was a must-win for Clinton and, given its large population of working-class Democrats and women, was a long shot for Obama.
Still, he spent $10 million advertising in the Keystone State. Why? He forced Clinton to spend all her money and much of her time there to ensure she pocketed a 10-point win.
Meanwhile, Obama moved ahead of her to the next set of equally critical primary states. He pulled ahead of her in North Carolina, squeezed the gap in Indiana and essentially ended any hope of a then-bankrupt Clinton overtaking him in the delegate race.
In the general election, Obama could afford to set up large operations in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico and a host of other states — maybe even McCain’s own Arizona..
Such a massive financial advantage will allow Obama to compete in more states than McCain and force his rival to defend states that should rightfully be Republican wins.
Obama’s use of such tactics has already been on display in the primary.
Pennsylvania was a must-win for Clinton and, given its large population of working-class Democrats and women, was a long shot for Obama.
Still, he spent $10 million advertising in the Keystone State. Why? He forced Clinton to spend all her money and much of her time there to ensure she pocketed a 10-point win.
Meanwhile, Obama moved ahead of her to the next set of equally critical primary states. He pulled ahead of her in North Carolina, squeezed the gap in Indiana and essentially ended any hope of a then-bankrupt Clinton overtaking him in the delegate race.
In the general election, Obama could afford to set up large operations in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico and a host of other states — maybe even McCain’s own Arizona..
Just because Obama has money does not mean he should not spend it wisely. Spending it in W VA would not be wise in my view. He will not win there. Better to spend it in places like Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania and other places where he has a chance.
He needs 19 more electorial votes than Kerry got.
I hate it everytime people- including Patrick Buchannon brings up the fact that these people are Irish. A majority might be but not all of them by far. And just because a person might be Irish does not mean we are all drunken racist trailer park trash. And, if it has to be "fixed" then they have to "fix" it. Nobody else can.
That's not what you were saying a little bit ago. Weren't you one of the posters claiming what a bunch of racist, redneck, trailer-trashers people in WV and KY were?
So, I take it you're Irish?
If so, now you know how it feels to be painted with such a broad brush, as you have done in the past to the people of those states.
I guess in your mind the "Irish" are excluded from that taint.
Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
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OK, so how should we view the Scots-Irish "culture" here...?
Quote:
Originally Posted by WVUPharm2007
I like this little piece about the Scots-Irish of Appalachia and why we as a people don't like Obama. This guy KINDA gets it a little bit, but even this barely scratches the surface. Marginalization, pretentious attitudes about us, the feeling that nobody gives a **** about you. Refreshing to hear after having my people trashed by the entire country for a month for being classified as subhuman trash. Maybe give some of the younger "progressives" around here who are prejudiced against Appalachians some perspective. Or maybe it won't.
OK, "WVUPharm2007", so you're tired of "prejudice" against Appalachians and "your people".
Even James Webb in his book "Born Fighting" admits that his Scots-Irish kinfolk distinguish themselves by a general combativeness and a love of fighting & drinking, a "cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face" stubbornness, a clannishness that often begets bigotry, blind faith in their leaders & fundamentalist religion, and a general disdain for higher education. So not surprisingly they make up the poorest segment of the population, the most h.s. dropouts, the highest rate of unwed mothers, the greatest users & producers of meth.... the list goes on! So besides disapproval (a.k.a. "prejudice"), what pray-tell IS the "proper" way to view this "culture" (which the rest of us pay for, by the way)?
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OK, so how should we view the Scots-Irish "culture" here...?
