Rural Economic Woes May Provide Opening For Obama - (Plus Video)

[WillyT]

<snip>

BELLEVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- The folks in this picturesque mountain community with red barns and Amish buggies have been voting overwhelmingly Republican in national elections for decades.

But tough economic times in Mifflin County and in rural areas all around the country have created possible openings for Democrat Barack Obama.

President Bush won nearly 70 percent of the county's vote in both 2000 and 2004, but the standard of living here has declined steadily during his administration.

The farm equipment factory that employed 500 workers here is closing. So is the milk plant. Farmers are facing skyrocketing feed and fertilizer costs, and gas prices are squeezing household budgets of those who now have to drive elsewhere for work.

Nationally, Bush won almost 60 percent of the rural vote, but Republican John McCain doesn't appear to be doing as well.

In an AP-Yahoo News Poll in June, rural voters favored McCain over Obama, 40 percent to 34 percent. About 34 percent of rural voters said McCain "shares my values,'' compared to 27 percent who said Obama did.

Recognizing an opportunity, Obama has opened more offices in rural areas than any other Democratic presidential candidate in years, pushing a message focused on job creation. Neighborhood campaign teams have been going door to door talking about Obama and his economic policies. In Ohio, his campaign recently announced a "Barns for Obama'' effort, in which farmers are encouraged to paint their barn with Obama's logo.

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Link: http://www.dailymail.com/News/200808170169

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVHGa6mia7Q

Enjoy!!!

:hi:

[WillyT]

1. Ah Well...

Apparently GD: P has become the province of the bitch and moan crew.

:shrug:

[cliffordu]

2. I'll kick this, cause I like it. Now I gotta get back to disenfranchising fr**p*rs.

:hi:

[unfaithful_servant]

3. Forget slogans and expensive offices

Come up with some real job creating policy and he'll win their votes.

People who have lost their jobs and are facing homelessness and have no access to health care are not fooled by slogans. They're skeptical voters.

Raise the bar Obama, live up to the standards of previous Dem leaders and talk real economic reform, not T Boone Pickens / bumper sticker slick talk.

You can do it. Get out there and make Democrats proud by living up to your party's rich history instead of rejecting it.