Look. The media have misrepresented what happened in the deep south on election day.

[Syrinx]

There's been a lot made, in the national mass-media, and even here on DU, of the supposed "fact" that Barack Obama received only one in ten "white" votes here in Alabama, for example.

Ten percent. One in ten.

The true number appears to be closer to 17% or 18%, up to maybe 20%.

I know that still isn't a huge percentage, but let's look at the facts.

John McCain won Alabama handily, at 59% to 39%. That's a healthy (for McCain) twenty-point margin.

But flash back to 2004. George Bush beat John Kerry 62% to 37%. That's an even healthier margin (for Bush), at 25%.

So statewide, Obama did 5 points better than John Kerry did last time around.

Flash forward again to 2008, and to Alabama's "whitest" county. Winston county in 97.9% white, and 0.6% black, according to 2006 Census Bureau estimates. Barack Obama received 17.5% of the vote in this whitest, and supposedly most insular, of all Alabama counties.

Before we get to the biggest county in the state, let me mention that I'm not aware of any particular surge here in black voter turnout, as compared to white voter turnout. Turnout was healthy, all around.

Jefferson County is the biggest county in the state. That's where Birmingham is. In 2004, George Bush won Jefferson by exactly nine points. In 2008, Barack Obama won Jefferson by 5.1%, 52.2% to 47.1%. I was pleasantly surprised by that result. I wasn't expecting Obama to take Jefferson County.

I'm not trying to convince anyone that Alabama is in any real way "liberal" or "progressive." It's obviously not. What I'm telling you is that real Southern Democrats, and liberals and progressives, did not abandon Obama because he is black. That is a lie being perpetuated by the mass media for their own benefit, whatever that mysterious benefit is.

Supposedly, it is for the same reason that they have bombarded us with Tim Russert's ludicrously simplistic conception of "blue states" and "red states."

Our American society is perhaps the most complicated society to ever exist on this blue earth. And for whatever reason, the Borg cannot resist the temptation to meddle in our apparent progress.

I remember vividly on election night, John King highlighting on his "magic map" a large swath of the South, in which he proclaimed "not a single county voted for Obama... A sad reminder of Jim Crow..."

Sadly, I laughed at his ignorance (or was it?) when he displayed his electronic wonder, with vast stretches of majority African-American counties tinted in Russert's red crayon.

I knew instantly that John King was either an over-paid hack of astounding ignorance, or a willing accomplice to the continued sowing of ignorance. (To what ends, I'm still trying to determine, exactly.)

And along these lines, Bill Maher owes an apology to the people of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and we are still waiting.

TUSCALOOSA | Two weeks ago on his HBO show "Real Time," comedian, social commentator and movie producer Bill Maher said something to the effect he would believe race had not played a role in the 2008 presidential election "When Tuscaloosa, Alabama, votes for Barack Obama."

Well, guess what, Bill, our fine city of 80,000 or so on the banks of the lovely Black Warrior River, went overwhelmingly for Obama, 62 percent to 38 percent, by my preliminary, rough estimate.

Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee. These are not liberal paradises. I, for one, have never claimed them to be. But I'm telling you that the VAST majority of voters that would vote against a candidate because of his or her race already belong to the Republican party.

The Deep South is a conservative region by-and-large. Even the African-American population down here is more conservative, at least socially, than you may realize. I don't like it anymore than you do.

I've reached middle-age, as difficult as it is for me to believe. Schools here were still racially segregated just a few years before I started going to school. I didn't realize all that stuff when I was a kid. I had a black "girlfriend" in the first grade. I didn't know at the time, that a few years earlier, me and her would have been shipped off to different schools just because of our skin. But I know that history now.

I want to see more progress before I die. I think it is important to push back against these "memes" that paint the Deep South as some alien culture. Down here, we still have plenty of problems. On that scale, religious fundamentalism (among both white and black folk) is far ahead of any systemic racism.

I'm just trying to help some of you understand the South. It's not quite the way you think it is.

[Berry Cool]

1. Don't just blame Russert.

There have been plenty of parties that have helped push the red state-blue state mentality. Including liberal ones. And let's not forget how, four years ago, many liberals were ready to secede from what they called "Jesusland." Completely ignoring how much of what they called "Jesusland" failed to fit neatly into their stereotype of it.

[Syrinx]

9. I didn't mean to just blame Russert

I completely agree with you.

It greatly disappoints me when I see posts about "JesusLand" and "Fuck The South," by people that consider themselves so high and mighty in terms of tolerance.

Those people claim to represent the interests of "downtrodden minorities," while at the same time condemning states and entire regions because only 40% (instead of 51%) of the people there agree with their political views. Talk about hypocrisy!

I only mentioned Russert because I think he was the person that popularized the red-state/blue-state dichotomy.

Cheers!

:toast:

[Adelante]

2. Thank you for this interesting OP

Recommended.

[Syrinx]

10. thanks!

Always nice for the ego to get a rec from a mod. :)

Do you really live in Mexico? That's interesting.

[rosesaylavee]

3. Good OP

I think I have mentioned it here before, but I have had the opportunity to speak on the phone with a lot of individuals in Alabama this past year. When I was calling states in the Southeast, it was hands down my favorite state to call because of the consistant politeness and honest communication I had with those who I spoke with.

I think when broadband is made more widely available and our neighbors in your state and in the southern part of mine get their news from a wider variety of outlets - not just Rush and Faux News, we will see an expanded progressiveness in these seemingly red counties. These are reasonable people inundated with fear-based reality promoted by RW pundits trying to keep their jobs and ratings.

Doesn't surprise me that this myth is being perpetuated by the Republicans. They had to have success somewhere. If they had lost Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, we would have had to put Xanax in the water supply or something equally drastic.

My prediction is that we will see Alabama and Georgia and Mississippi go for Obama next time. I think the evidence will be overwhelming by then that the DEM ticket is the way to go if we want to better our economy and provide more job opportunities for everyone across the board.

[Kalyke]

4. Hit the nail on the head.

I live in the Southeast - Tennessee - and thank you for your kind words about the politeness of my brethern. :)

But, what I really wanted to thank you for is your comment about right-wing radio. I've been on a tear since the election (and, actually before) regarding this issue. The South is right-wing and votes so not because they're racist, but because they don't have valid information about Democrats. There is only right-wing radio down here and, as such, the only thing most people know about Democrats is as it's told through the rightwing radio filter. In other words, nothing.

The best method to overcome this is to talk with us (not to us as so many blue staters seem to want to do). I thank you for talking with us and not to us. You did good. :)

[rosesaylavee]

5. You are welcome

It is far to easy to judge other parts of the country on the stereotypes fed us by the media. I have lived in rural areas where there is little to no choice in radio and television outlets. I think that ultimately, Americans feel that they are a honest and forthright people. If given the correct information and an opportunity to see both sides, a reasonable person will make a reasonable decision.

There are only two issues holding many people back from voting for the DEM ticket. Abortion and GLBT rights. If we can address those issues (or concerns used to control them and their vote!) in some different way or persuade people that these are lesser concerns than getting food/work and creating a sustainable economy, addressing global warming and securing the country... than we will have new voters in our corner next election. Only way I know how to do that is to get them the information they don't have now.

[Syrinx]

11. I'm glad to hear that most Alabamians were polite

Did you get many ones that weren't? Did many use the n-word in regards to Obama? I wouldn't be surprised if there were some.

Sometimes, I feel like Xanax is already in the water supply. :)

[rosesaylavee]

16. Never had ONE Alabaman not be polite.

And as anyone who makes cold calls for a living, you know that is extraordinary. In fact, my adjective for Alabamans is 'sweet' and I don't use that word usually.

Of course, we were talking about construction projects - not politics so trigger words were never a problem. I did have a contractor in Virginia who told me several times last Spring that Virginia would NEVER vote for a n----- . Fortunately, my job responsibilities changed and I didn't have to talk with him after the primaries. I don't think I would have been able to stand it. I thought of him on election night. :P

[Stevepol]

6. How the hell do they know what the percentage is?

When the vote is counted in total secrecy by private companies without verification using machines that have been shown in every serious study to be completely open to fraudulent programming, hacking, or patching, especially by insiders, in ways that are completely undetectable, how the hell do you know what the results are? AL uses Diebold I believe as does GA. TX uses machines from a variety of vendors, none of them trustworthy and easily hacked or fraudulently programmed. FL had paper for the first time state-wide and didn't use the touch screens at least.

But for most of the south it's completely faith-based. In other words, there's no reason to have the slightest confidence in the alleged results.

[Syrinx]

12. Alabama mostly uses optical scan ballots

I can't remember, right now, the name of the company that makes the machines.

But every county, save one, uses the optical scan, that you fill in like an SAT or ACT test.

There's one county down on the coast that I think uses Diebold touch-screen machines. I can't remember if it's Baldwin County or Mobile County.

I do think it is interesting that Alabama was solidly Democratic, until electronic voting came in, and we've been solidly Republican ever since. But it coincides with the "Reagan Revolution." I'm not really sure what to make of it.

[trof]

18. Baldwin uses optical scan.

The total vote was about 75%-25% McCain.
No big surprise, we're heavily repug and only about 10% black.
As of last August we now have exactly ONE elected Democrat in office in the entire county and that was for a 'non-partisan' city council seat.
Before that, and for years before, there were none.
Hey, but we got nice beaches and lots of fresh shrimp.
;-)

[qwlauren35]

7. There is plenty to love about the South... for starters, it's WARMER!

I met a lot of fundamentalists when I lived there. And some were among the most loving, gentle people you'd ever meet in your life.

There is a tendency, probably a human tendency, not just American, to quickly label, and thus define others for our own convenience.

Yes, the ability to quickly say "friend" vs. "enemy" is good for instinctive survival. But we have grown accustomed to oversimplifying the world around us. And in doing so, drawing very flawed conclusions.

I still remember reading Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, and the idea that psychohistorians could analyze and predict societal behavior... except in the advent of a true one-person maverick/anomaly.
And to do so required massive amounts of computing power.

Yes, the nuances of humanity can be factorialized into numbers. But we cannot be reduced into one dimensional black or white.

The South is not a monolith, it is not a single entity. It is not frozen in time. It is not a place where the people are incapable of moving forward. If it was all of those things, there would not be so many people from the rest of America who are going there for a fresh start in their lives.

[Syrinx]

13. I've toyed with an idea

It's most probably not practical. But I'd like to see an organized movement to have people relocate from the most progressive states to the least progressive states, to make the less progressive states more progressive, while still keeping our base states safe. Probably not practical... but it's something I've thought about before.

[trof]

26. And that's what I like about the south.

Won't you come with me to Alabamy
Let's go see my dear old Mammy
She's fryin' eggs and boiling hammy
That's what I like about the South

Now there you can make no mistakey
Where those nerves are never shaky
Ought to taste her layer cakey
That's what I like about the South

She's got baked ribs and candied yams
Those sugar-cured Virginia hams
Basement full of those berry jams
An' that's what I like about the South

Hot corn bread, black-eyed peas
You can eat as much as you please
'Cause it's never out of season
That's what I like about the South

Aahhh, don't take one, have two
There's dark brown and chocolate too
Suits me, they must suit you
'Cause that's what I like about the South

Well it's way, way down where the cane grows tall
Down where they say "Y'all"
Walk on in with that Southern drawl
'Cause that's what I like about the South

Down where they have those pretty queens
Keep a-dreamin' those dreamy dreams
Well let's sip that absinthe in New Orleans
That's what I like about the South

Here come old Bob with all the news
Got the boxback coat with button shoes
But he's all caught up with his union dues
An' that's what I like about the South

Here come old Roy down the street
Ho, can't you hear those tappin' feet
He would rather sleep than eat
An' that's what I like about the South

Now every time I pass your door
You act like you don't want me no more
Why don't you shake that head and sigh
And I'll go walkin' by

On, on, on and on and on
Honey, when you tell me that you love me
Then how come you close your eyes

Did I tell you 'bout the place called Doo-wah-diddy
It ain't no town and it ain't no city
It's just awful small, but awful pretty
That's Doo-wah-diddy

Well I didn't come here to criticise
I'm not here to sympathise
But don't tell me those no-good lies
That a lyin' gal like you can devise

You love me like I love you
Send me fifty P-D-Q
Roses are red and violets are pink
If I don't get all fifty, I don't show

She's got backbones and turnip greens
Ham hocks and butter beans
You, me and New Orleans
An' that's what I like about the South

[klook]

8. It was in Alabama that I first saw

this bumper sticker:
"ATTENTION SARAH PALIN -- Jesus was a Community Organizer, and Pontius Pilate was a Governor."

There are many enlightened, progressive people in the Heart of Dixie, and elsewhere throughout the South.

I hope those morons who were saying "F the South" 4 years ago are enjoying the taste of crow now that Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia, have gone Blue for Obama. I'm looking forward to a more Democratic South in the future. Let's keep working on it!!

:yourock:

[Syrinx]

14. I like the way you think!

And I like that bumper sticker. I saw one of them the other day.

:yourock: too!

:)

[DallasNE]

15. So Right

The map showing where McCain performed better than George W. Bush in 2004 was very revealing. It was pretty much limited to an arch that extended from West Virginia to Oklahoma with only small pockets elsewhere. How did Huntsville do? That is an upscale, white area in Alabama. I suspect that Obama did better there than Kerry did.

[tom_paine]

17. Excellently well said.

[Alcibiades]

19. The New South

Is real. The future of Alabama is here in North Carolina, where Obama won. Southern Democrats plus northern transplants will eventually mean a Democratic majority in the south.

The irony for me is that, despite the right-wing hate talk about Obama being the most liberal nominee **ever**, the reality is--and his appointments show this--he's a moderate, centrist Democrat, just like most southern Democrats.

There are also millions of progressive southern Democrats who most folks seem to assume away. We've been fighting the good fight right here where it's needed most, while the best many folks can do is to preach to the converted because they happen to live in Democratic places such as California or Massachusetts. We can be proud of our role in this past election, and we will all do our damnedest to turn the south blue again!

[struggle4progress]

20. If we continue to organize as progressives, we can continue to make gains:

Americans don't want to hear phony happy talk; they want to hear about issues, and surely we can talk honestly about issues in a language they can understand

I grew up in Dallas, Texas, one of this country's right-wing centers -- and fled the place as soon as I was able. Here's news I never ever expected to see:

Obama won Dallas county, Texas 57% to 42%
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7813894

[GrpCaptMandrake]

21. Thanks for that!

As a born Alabamian myself (Florence), and apparently of a similar age as you (45) it often grieves me to hear the rest of the nation write-off Democrats, Liberals, Progressives who are in places where others of the same stripe might wilt like hothouse flowers. By gawd, it's HARD to be a "librul" in Alabama, but there are thousands and thousands of folks who are.

As the only Southerner doing "liberal" talk, I have a great respect and abiding love for my liberal brothers and sisters who live in places like Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and South Carolina. Those people are truly walking the walk and talking the talk. They are the ones whose hard, ceaseless labor will someday turn the "red" south blue again. They are the ones who can remind the "conservative" south that liberalism literally saved their bacon. Where I come from, liberalism literally brought the 20th century to people. The TVA brought cheap hydro-powered electricity and flood control that stemmed the nightmarish ebb and flow of yellow fever. FDR saved the region from utter devastation, both physically and economically. "Conservative" southerners conveniently forget that and, as you note, right-wing hateradio isn't planning on disabusing them any time soon.

Pass the collards, cornbread and beans, please. I'll try to keep room for a little pecan or sweet potato pie for after.


Get On The H.O.R.N.!
www.headonradionetwork.com
America's Liberal Voice

[yardwork]

22. Thank you for this OP. I was surprised by the exit polls in Alabama.

I'm glad to know that they probably aren't accurate. All across the south, more white people voted for Obama than voted for Kerry in 2004.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

23. Good read!

:hi:

[defendandprotect]

24. ..allowing for computer steals, Obama may have even won more...!!!

[defendandprotect]

25. BTW...did I hear a news report about your Governor under investigation--???

Or did I mishear that--??? Alabama--??

[Syrinx]

28. I haven't heard anything about Bob Riley being investigated

Maybe you are thinking of Larry Langford, the mayor of Birmingham. He's an African-American Democrat and sort of a goofball. (He's trying to get the Olympic Games to come to Birmingham.) But he's being pursued by Alice Martin, perhaps the most partisan prosecutor in the nation.

[defendandprotect]

30. Think that's it --- thanks

[liberaltrucker]

27. I'm gonna do some research

On Walker, Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan, Jackson, etc.

I'd bet they mirror or better Winston's vote. Yep, the times they are a-changin'
Slowly but surely. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will a Democratic Deep
South. But it WILL happen, in time. Recently, my 5 YO granddaughter said "Wepubwecans
are BAD". I inquired, "Sweetie, where did you hear that"? "At school". She attends
a private school sponsored by our Church. Hey, it's a start.

[Syrinx]

29. now, THAT'S an encouraging report!

Excellent! :thumbsup: