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Title: W Virginia keeps distance from Obama
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URL Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2a50425a- ... 7658,s01=1.html?nclick_check=1
Published: May 11, 2008
Author: Andrew Ward
Post Date: 2008-05-12 09:59:34 by Peppa
Ping List: *Obama Reality Check* Subscribe to *Obama Reality Check*
Keywords: Obama
Views: 2548
Comments: 202
Like most people in Mingo County, West Virginia, Leonard Simpson is a lifelong Democrat. But given a choice between Barack Obama and John McCain in November, the 67-year-old retired coalminer would vote Republican. “I heard that Obama is a Muslim and his wife’s an atheist,” said Mr Simpson, drawing on a cigarette outside the fire station in Williamson, a coalmining town of 3,400 people surrounded by lush wooded hillsides. A landslide victory for Mrs Clinton in West Virginia will do little to improve her fading hopes of winning the Democratic nomination, because Mr Obama has an almost insurmountable lead in the overall race. But Tuesday’s contest is likely to reinforce Mrs Clinton’s argument that she would be the stronger opponent for Mr McCain in November, and raise fresh doubts about whether the US is ready to elect its first black president. Occupying a swathe of the Appalachian Mountains on the threshold between the Bible Belt and the Rust Belt, West Virginia is a swing state that voted twice for George W. Bush but backed Democrats in six of the eight prior presidential elections. No Democrat has been elected to the White House without carrying West Virginia since 1916, yet Mr Obama appears to have little chance of winning there in November. Recent opinion polls indicate that Mrs Clinton would narrowly beat Mr McCain in the state but Mr Obama would lose by nearly 20 percentage points. West Virginia is hostile territory for Mr Obama because it has few of the African-Americans and affluent, college-educated whites who provide his strongest support. The state has the lowest college graduation rate in the US, the second lowest median household income, and one of the highest proportions of white residents, at 96 per cent. A visit to Mingo County, a Democratic stronghold in the heart of the Appalachian coalfields, reveals the scale of Mr Obama’s challenge – not only in West Virginia but in white, working-class communities across the US. With a gun shop on its main street and churches dotted throughout the town, Williamson is the kind of community evoked by Mr Obama’s controversial comments last month about “bitter” small-town voters who “cling to guns or religion”. “If he is the nominee, the Democrats have no chance of winning West Virginia,” said Missy Endicott, a 40- year-old school administrator. “He doesn’t understand ordinary Americans.” Ms Endicott was among roughly 500 people who crammed into the Williamson Fire Department building on Friday to attend a rally by Bill Clinton, the former president. He told them his wife represented “people like you, in places like this”, and urged voters to turn out in record numbers on Tuesday to send a message to the “higher-type people” who were trying to force her out of the race. Local leaders said Mr Clinton was the most important visitor to Williamson since John F. Kennedy passed through during the 1960 election campaign. Mr Kennedy’s victory in the West Virginia primary that year was a crucial step towards proving his electability as the first Catholic president. Nearly five decades later, the state appears less willing to help Mr Obama break down barriers to the White House. None of the 22 Democrats interviewed by the Financial Times at the Clinton rally would commit themselves to voting for Mr Obama if he became the nominee, and half said they definitely would not. The depth of opposition is particularly striking considering that Mingo County is one of the most Democratic places in West Virginia, having cast about 85 per cent of its votes for the party in the 2006 midterm elections. If Mr Obama cannot win there in November, he has little chance of carrying the state. Most people questioned said they mistrusted Mr Obama because of doubts about his patriotism and “values”, stemming from his cosmopolitan background, his exotic name and the controversy surrounding “anti-American” sermons by Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor. Several people said they believed he was a Muslim – an unfounded rumour that has circulated on the internet for months – despite the contradiction with his 20-year membership of Mr Wright’s church in Chicago. Others mentioned his refusal to wear a Stars and Stripes badge and controversial remarks by his wife, Michelle, who described America as “mean” and implied that she had never been proud of the US until her husband ran for president. Conservative commentators have questioned Mr Obama’s patriotism for months and the issue is expected to be one of the Republicans’ main lines of attack if he wins the nomination. “The American people want a president who loves their country as much as they do,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist. Obama supporters believe patriotism is being used as code to harness racist sentiment. Josh Fry, a 24-year-old ambulance driver from Williamson, insisted he was not racist but said he would feel more comfortable with Mr McCain, the 71-year-old Vietnam war hero, in the White House. “I want someone who is a full-blooded American as president,” he said.
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#123. To: FOH, Peppa (#120)
This in regard Fort Emanuel in Belgium.. "Earlier, Germany shocked the world at another fortress. The Battle for France began with the coup de main capture of the key and powerful world class Belgium fortification, Fort Eban Emanuel. The fort and defensive lynch pin to the northern flank, fell in a matter of hours. Later, in 1942, Germany demonstrated it's might again, at Sevastopol against the Soviets. At great cost, a mighty Soviet fortress was destroyed and captured by the von Manstein led German Crimean Army." The nucleus of the German force was originated and trained by the Russians.
That is a great link FOH. Bookmarked... thank you.
Smells like socialism to me. Sure does. "NeoCommies" and "NeoCons" got the same game going on today, nearly perfected it appears...
The nucleus of the German force was originated and trained by the Russians. Wow. Naivete'? Allies today, enemies tomorrow? This does not bode well with current foreign Army training strategy does it?
Yes. There was a bright spot in your link however. A time of atonement. Inescapable.
I say this tounge in cheek, but I suspect it has a lot of truth. Obama has the women's vote. With so much indoctrination by the media not to be a racist many the women will vote for Obama to prove they are not and half the women will vote for him because he is a good looking black that they fantasize having sex with. It is things like that rather than their true position on the issues that determine how most people vote.
The Soviets got everything that was due them. Hitler was much smarter and shrewder than that lout Stalin, however, they were brothers under the skin. Proof??? They started WWII in concert by invading Poland. Your history books never mention the cowardly communists waiting until the Poles were engaged in survival in the West when they invaded from the East. Vultures in for picking the carcass.
This in regard Fort Emanuel in Belgium.. "Earlier, Germany shocked the world at another fortress. The Battle for France began with the coup de main capture of the key and powerful world class Belgium fortification, Fort Eban Emanuel. The fort and defensive lynch pin to the northern flank, fell in a matter of hours. Later, in 1942, Germany demonstrated it's might again, at Sevastopol against the Soviets. At great cost, a mighty Soviet fortress was destroyed and captured by the von Manstein led German Crimean Army." The nucleus of the German force was originated and trained by the Russians. That explains a lot. +++ I was poking around and ran into this. Fact, fiction or other ?
More from "A secret aviation school"... Eight German two-place Heinkel HD 17 reconnaissance aircraft with the 450hp Napier Lions engine were brought to Lipetsk in the summer of 1926 with the aim to train observers. These airplanes were designed and built by the Heinkel firm based on a special Reichswehr order for the Lipetsk Aviation School. E. Heinkel writes in his memoirs: "Baaaaaah" ;)
It is things like that rather than their true position on the issues that determine how most people vote. I think many people would agree with you DW. One thing I'll toss into the mix though, is the RPRevolution has brought sanity back to the plate, and is something so many of our younger previously apathetic demoralized adults have drawn to. This is why his message is feared. I consider this election a demarcation point from the 'ways' of political seduction of the past to the reality of today. No matter who wins, the celebration won't last long.
Proof??? They started WWII in concert by invading Poland. Your history books never mention the cowardly communists waiting until the Poles were engaged in survival in the West when they invaded from the East. Vultures in for picking the carcass. FDR was a brother, too... "I do not believe in communism any more than you do, but there is nothing wrong with the communists in this country. Several of the best friends I have are Communists." Franklin D. Roosevelt
Sick sick sick. Nope, my history was taught all from the perspective of all good guys v all bad guys. Nothing about bankers, and brothers and so on.
One of my mentors was an aeronautical engineer with Messerschimidt. Born before the Weimar, lived thru it and Hitler. My history was neither sanitized nor revised by Jewish historians.
I'm thankful that you're here...TY
Obama is going to ensure 100 year war McCain wins. Way to go Obama supporters!
God is always good!
The only problem with "none of the above" is the ones under "none of the above." Instead of "none of the above", it should say "none of these candidates."
God is always good!
You never know... some say Obama is still too weak on National Security to win. He may promise 200 or 300 years of war. Any way this goes, the only issue off the table, is leaving the ME.
LOL!! What a deal.
One of my mentors was an aeronautical engineer with Messerschimidt. Born before the Weimar, lived thru it and Hitler. My history was neither sanitized nor revised by Jewish historians. I'm thankful that you're here...TY Ditto that!
A vote of support for Obummer is a vote for 100 years more of war with McKooK, by the same people that paid lip service to Ron Paul.
Could we compromise with..."None of these losers"....
Extremely disturbing. Anyone that can't see that Obama is a racist SOB doesn't deserve to vote IMO. America can do without these people and do quite fine.
God is always good!
Which former Ron Paul supporter recently said this in 4um ?
Our resident and non-resident white guilters have worked themselves into a frenzy over the past few weeks, rabidly frothing at the mouth while extolling the coming of their savior. Come Nov. and the votes are counted, lets see who is left standing. Will be interesting.
I think it's quite possible that those particular folks could not stand that certain issues would be left to the states. They have a narrow agenda, and nothing, NOTHING, else matters. The only way to get there is via the most radical leftist, otherwise either candidate would do. The hammer was to scream racism. Enforcement was browbeating, silencing debate on other issues. I'm not too inclined to believe the conversion rate was very high. It hasn't worked for the GOP, and it won't work for these folks. FWIW.
Mike Ferret.
God is always good!
I read it and blame it on Mike. Am I right????
I do, I do!
When a socialists mouth is in high gear and froth is visible, that means their brain is in the idle mode.
Heh, I see my PR firm is still getting that Pavlovian response to my presence. As an old friend put it, never worry if they are talking about you as long as they get your name correct enough so they know whom they refer to.
LOL!! I notice that another opportunity to debate was rebuked today. It wasn't fair that all the facts could come into play apparently.
As an old friend put it, never worry if they are talking about you as long as they get your name correct enough so they know whom they refer to. I'm sorry, who are you?
Were you and Pavlovian close friends?? hehehehehe
Actually, that comment was made in the low gear modus of a matter of fact mentioning of whom I have supported over the years. I am not responding to FOH as he does not discuss, but only baits and harasses. It is better to ignore such people, as arguing with an idiot who relishes mud throwing is a problematic thing to do creating a situation where the casual observer can't tell who is the hater and who is the baited.
One does not do political activism without coming to understand Pavlovian responses well. It just comes with the territory. ;-)
Got me there, I'm not wearing my name tag today. ;-)
You might have a word with your PR team though...;)
Now now Mike, calm down. I have known you too long to believe anyone gets under your skin. Hell, I remember you and that bike from what, ten years ago????? If FOH irritates you whack him back or ignore but dont bozo. The only poster here that gets under my skin is angle, all she said was...I dont like or agree with anything you write... She crushed me right there. I try to be extra nice but so far no gain.
Comments (164 - 202) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestRussia training German army...
#124. To: FOH (#120)
..."Everything is based on ideological cooperation".
#125. To: Cynicom, Peppa, aristeides, robin, christine, *Obama Reality Check* (#122)
"Everything is based on ideological cooperation".
#126. To: Cynicom (#123)
At great cost, a mighty Soviet fortress was destroyed and captured by the von Manstein led German Crimean Army."
#127. To: FOH (#125)
Sure does. "NeoCommies" and "NeoCons" got the same game going on today, nearly perfected it appears...
#128. To: Peppa (#0)
#129. To: Peppa, FOH (#126)
This does not bode well with current foreign Army training strategy does it?
#130. To: Cynicom (#123)
Russia training German army...
#131. To: Peppa, Cynicom (#124)
Thank Cyni !
When I returned to Warnemuende from Sweden, I was told that a certain visitor wished to see me. When I met him, he didn't introduce himself. Later, I found out that his name was Student. In spite of his civilian clothes, I felt from the outset that he was a military man. He made it a condition that our talk should be kept in confidence.
After our first conversation, it still was not clear whom he really represented. Only some time later I understood who he was and the real reason for his visit. "With the government's permission, the Reichswehr assisted in reorganizing the army of Soviet Russia. That country needed the technological achievements Germany had. Wilberg headed the Reichswehr Aviation Department. He made a trip to Russia to study the possibility of training pilots there using airplanes built secretly in Germany.
At the time, I could not understand why the visitor asked whether I would be able to make a landplane with a speed of 220 km/h and ceiling of 6000 meters, which could be employed as a short-range reconnaissance aircraft. I asked him what financial resources he had. The man smiled and said that he was ready to buy such an airplane immediately after it was built. After a bit of thought, I agreed. Thus, from 1923 on I became a participant in providing armaments for the German Army. To the surprise of the judges at the Nuremberg trial, the government itself financed this. The HD 17, my first airplane for the Reichswehr, had to be built in secrecy, playing cat-and-mouse with the Allied Commission on Aircraft Construction. The game was extremely dangerous for me. I could lose all or find myself under strict surveillance and constant supervision. I think fortune was on my side.
#132. To: DWornock (#128)
It is things like that rather than their true position on the issues that determine how most people vote.
#133. To: DWornock (#128)
I say this tounge in cheek, but I suspect it has a lot of truth. Obama has the women's vote. With so much indoctrination by the media not to be a racist many the women will vote for Obama to prove they are not and half the women will vote for him because he is a good looking black that they fantasize having sex with.
#134. To: Cynicom (#129)
The Soviets got everything that was due them. Hitler was much smarter and shrewder than that lout Stalin, however, they were brothers under the skin.
#135. To: Cynicom (#129)
Proof??? They started WWII in concert by invading Poland. Your history books never mention the cowardly communists waiting until the Poles were engaged in survival in the West when they invaded from the East. Vultures in for picking the carcass.
#136. To: FOH (#131)
To the surprise of the judges at the Nuremberg trial, the government itself financed this. The HD 17, my first airplane for the Reichswehr, had to be built in secrecy, playing cat-and-mouse with the Allied Commission on Aircraft Construction. The game was extremely dangerous for me. I could lose all or find myself under strict surveillance and constant supervision. I think fortune was on my side.
#137. To: Cynicom (#136)
One of my mentors was an aeronautical engineer with Messerschimidt. Born before the Weimar, lived thru it and Hitler. My history was neither sanitized nor revised by Jewish historians.
#138. To: Peppa, *Racist 2008* (#0)
No Democrat has been elected to the White House without carrying West Virginia since 1916, yet Mr Obama appears to have little chance of winning there in November. Recent opinion polls indicate that Mrs Clinton would narrowly beat Mr McCain in the state but Mr Obama would lose by nearly 20 percentage points.
#139. To: Peppa (#0)
#140. To: TwentyTwelve (#139)
LOLOL
#141. To: Cynicom (#9)
In Nov. if ballots were allowed a box of..none of the above... that would be a winner.
#142. To: RickyJ (#138)
Obama is going to ensure 100 year war McCain wins. Way to go Obama supporters!
#143. To: TwentyTwelve (#139)
#144. To: FOH, Cyni (#137)
To: Cynicom
#145. To: RickyJ (#138)
#146. To: RickyJ (#141)
"none of these candidates."
#147. To: Cynicom (#15)
Somehow such self-flagellation by these people is disturbing to normal Americans.
#148. To: Cynicom, ALL, *Obama Reality Check* (#145)
"...I first voted for McGovern and still deeply admire the man. I voted for Jerry Brown, Jesse Jackson, Ralph Nader, and many others who never made it to the nomination or were third party and never voted for Bill Clinton, held my nose to vote Carter and Dukakis, supported Kerry mostly as a strong anti-George Bush reaction, and Obama is the very very first Democrat I have supported this early and so enthusiastically..."
#149. To: RickyJ (#147)
#150. To: Cynicom (#145)
A vote of support for Obummer is a vote for 100 years more of war with McKooK, by the same people that paid lip service to Ron Paul.
#151. To: FOH (#148)
#152. To: FOH (#148)
#153. To: FOH (#148)
"...I first voted for McGovern and still deeply admire the man. I voted for Jerry Brown, Jesse Jackson, Ralph Nader, and many others who never made it to the nomination or were third party and never voted for Bill Clinton, held my nose to vote Carter and Dukakis, supported Kerry mostly as a strong anti-George Bush reaction, and Obama is the very very first Democrat I have supported this early and so enthusiastically..." Which former Ron Paul supporter recently said this in 4um ?
#154. To: Peppa (#150)
#155. To: Peppa (#153)
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." Robert F. Kennedy
#156. To: Cynicom (#154)
When a socialists mouth is in high gear and froth is visible, that means their brain is in the idle mode.
#157. To: Ferret Mike (#155)
Heh, I see my PR firm is still getting that Pavlovian response to my presence.
#158. To: Ferret Mike (#155)
Pavlovian
#159. To: Cynicom (#154)
"When a socialists mouth is in high gear and froth is visible, that means their brain is in the idle mode."
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." Robert F. Kennedy
#160. To: Cynicom (#158)
"Were you and Pavlovian close friends?? hehehehehe"
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." Robert F. Kennedy
#161. To: Peppa (#157)
"I'm sorry, who are you?"
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." Robert F. Kennedy
#162. To: Ferret Mike (#161)
Got me there, I'm not wearing my name tag today. ;-)
#163. To: Ferret Mike (#159)
(Edited)
I am not responding to FOH as he does not discuss, but only baits and harasses.
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