3 Strategies for an Obama Victory in WV

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3 Strategies for an Obama Victory in WV

Topic Author: Scott Saxton

Posted: 4:42 PM Jul 2, 2008

Replies Posted: 32 comments

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3 Strategies for an Obama Victory in WV

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin told several media sources this week that Barack Obama can win the state in November. Manchin says Obama simply needs to come here, sit down and talk.

But where?

Let's look at some recent strategies and chart out three possible options for Team Obama.

1. Ripley's July 4th parade.

Sure President George W. Bush has owned Independence Day in West Virginia by spending 4 of his 7 July 4th holidays in the mountain state, but this holiday wasn't always a GOP affair. In 1960, Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy joined the parade in Ripley and you know how that ended up for JFK. Pretty good. Obama can bring his flag pin, join the revelers in Jackson County and even stop by the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair.

2. Start your own whistlestop tour!

It worked for President Bill Clinton in 1996. Mr. Clinton had stops from a train in Ashland and Huntington before heading on to Chicago to accept his party's nomination for another term as president. Maybe Obama can adjust the train idea for something more in the pop culture right now like a trip on TTA's new bus route into Lawrence County, Ohio. He can go from Ironton to Huntington on his way to Denver for the convention later this summer and talk about the high cost of gas.

3. Racine's Labor Day Picnic

The United Mine Workers of America would be a friendly crowd for Obama on Labor Day in Boone County. However, results from here have been mixed in recent years. Former Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw found some ugly here and that didn't work out too well. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry stopped by in 2004 too. In fact, I remember he clung to his gun here. Candidate Kerry promised to return to Boone County for Labor Day 2005 if he was President Kerry. No return trip came of it. Still, a friendly rural crowd in Boone County might be a nice introduction to West Virginia voters for the Illinois Senator.

Now you map out a strategy. Where should Obama visit and why? Let me know!

Posted by: Lori When Obama said that people hold to their guns and religeon, it was a true statement. It just came out wrong. People in WV will vote against their economic wellbeing if they even percieve that their guns or their narrow minded belief system is questioned. I am a christian, but against organized religeon. It has no place in the political system. More wars have been raged, more people have died or tortured in the name of religeon. People are discriminated against. Our constitution states all men are created equal. It is time to fulfill that creed. I hope Obama and Biden come here. Start at WVU and work thier way down to Marshall. Talk specific about what the Bush policies have doen for average americans and that McCain will be the same. Talk about how people of wealth can get by with anything, as in Cindy McCain, addicted to prescription drugs, steeling them from her foundation. Rush Limbaugh. Need I say more?

Posted by: john All I can say is when the truth come out about something obama has done,and it is a shocker,he will be luckly if he get's to keep his curnt job,lol.And it will be out before this weekend.

Posted by: REA people you need to stop hating on OBAMA THIS IS GODS WORLD AND GOD IS IN CHARGE GOD BLESS YOU OBAMA

Posted by: Tiger First of all, where is Obama getting all of his money. I have never seen so much money for a presidental election in my entire life as this man is getting. Rumors has it that he is being backed by big oil companies so don't expect gas prices to go down if he is elected. Also, everything I have read and/or heard indicates that he is against coal so where does that leave WV, WITH NOTHING!!!!!

Posted by: Charlie I believe that many West Virginians will vote against Obama because he is black. Regardless of other rationals. I am a native West Virginian and have lived here all my life except for the four year in the U.S.A.F. and I am not black. I will vote for Obama because I think he is the hope for the future and not the past. I am tired of incompetent republican administrations!

Posted by: john dont write in hilliary,that equal a vote for osama

Posted by: Vicky I really don't think that Obama should go to Boone County. He is not welcome there. They are still clinging to their guns and religion. He really isn't welcome anywhere in this state. He should saved his money because he will need it in the fall. The democrats have handed the White House to the republicans again. As far as Jay, Byrd and Manchin are concerned, they are not representing the peple of this state. All superdelegates should stay home and not get to vote in August!!!!!WRITE IN HILLARY!iT IS OUR ONLY CHANCE!

Posted by: Jess What's wrong with the eastern panhandle? I'd love to see Obama come to my neck of the woods.

Posted by: john How about releaseing his orginial birth cirt,to prove to us in this country that he is even able to run for pres!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He keep's avoiding this issue,bye refering to the bad copy his web site has up.

Posted by: The other Bruce Wow,I'm almost speachless.Almost.I bet Scott Saxton gets a kick out of these blogs.None of you have come close to answering his question.I have noticed that you guys don't like the name Hussein.I guess if Barrack's middle name is Hussein then he must be just like Saddem Hussein.Hey, makes perfect sense to me.Every time I meet someone named Charles,I can't help from thinking that he must be just like Charles Manson.No way am I ever going to vote for anybody named Charles.Sorry.Hey Manson sounds a lot like Manchin.Whoa,this is getting too creepy.And to those of you who think West Virginians are uneducated,can you really trust statistics? I mean there just a bunch of numbers.Is an eighth grade education better than none.Is a high school diploma better than eighth grade?Is college better than high school?When do you say " I done learned enough"To answer Scott's question on how Obama can win WV.He can change his name.Maybe to Dick or Bush.Now there's some good American names we can trust?

Posted by: Bruce i agree with John.. what he says' is TRUE. And remember Good Folks of WV, What Hussain Obama said, "those people,have held on to their guns and their religon too LONG.. WELL do you have to be hit in the head,with a Brick.. he is a empty suit.. Noything more,nothing less. DON'T VOTE FOR HIM...

Posted by: Joe I wish people would quit saying that WV is uneducated for not voting for Obama. WV is a very "free" state and does not believe as Obama that you should take rights away from everyone because of the actions of a few. West Virginians do not believe that taking guns and rights from people that follow laws to the "t" will stop thug gangsters from shooting it out in our streets. WV has one of, if not the highest per capita of veterans per population, that is why WV has 4 veterans hospitals in their state. WV is a proud and grass roots state. I personally believe that West Virginians live the way the fore fathers wanted. I personally am proud to be a West Virginian and I believe that being proud and patriotic is a sign of strength not a sign of ignorance.

Posted by: Buckeye To boogerman workman: The people who refer to Sen Obama as "obama husein" are fear mongering because of ignorance or they are intentionally trying to mislead the uneducated public. His grandfather was a Muslim, and the name has been passed on just like "John Sidney" McCain. Obama's father who left him at age two, broke away from Islam and all religion, but kept the name in the family. Stop corrupting our democracy by making an innuendo that is only meant to deceive the casual voter. Your deceptive intentions are like a disease to democracy, and educated voters are the cure that leads to a strong democracy.

Posted by: Buckeye To Ron: Let me offer alternatives to a few of your points. You said "Remember the government has no money unless they tak ours, so why would you want universal health care". One view would be that we have universal police protection, universal fire department assistance, and universal access to public roads. Isn't health care at least as important as these other universals? We don't make people choose between paying for their rent or paying for police protection, but we do make them choose between their rent and health care. You also say that "Except for high oil prices our economy is booming". That is analogous to saying that except for our poor test scores, our school is doing terrific academically. Currently, there are too many sectors of our economy that depend on oil or gas prices in some way that it is impossible to have a "booming" economy with such high oil prices. I agree that drilling could have helped, but mandated fuel efficiency of cars could have been more effective.

Posted by: boogerman workman i agree with tammy obama husein save your supporters money dont waste your time coming to wv.......... besides why do these politicians come to campaign when the majority of people are at work. the only people the can show up in the middle of the day are those retired, unemployed, or those recieving "assistance" a.k.a. welfare

Posted by: Ron Obamo will ruin our economy and will not pull out of Iraq. Why be a loser when you are about to win. Remember the government has no money unless they tak ours, so why would you want universal health care. They can not even run medicare/medicaid or social security. Everyone bashes Bush, but at least he stands firm on his convictions. Except for high oil prices our economy is booming. Unemployment low, interest rates low. there are help wanted signs everywhere We have brought high oil and food prices on our selves by allowing politicians to ban driling and mandating our corn go the ethanol. As far as WV goes it has been run by Democrats for most of its existence, Rahall, Bird, Rockefeller have done nothing to help and support Obamo who love to shut down coal minining and take your guns.

Posted by: john I made it up?lol I can tell your an obama supporter,when you steal my name and make a post very funny!!!!! not.

Posted by: Buckeye To John: When I said reliable, I meant something that has been checked by an editor (like a published book or a newspaper/magazine article) or public records. In case you are unaware, internet websites are not credible sources. I am sure that if searched the internet thoroughly enough, I could find a site that claims that McCain wasn't really tortured when he was a POW or that he was tortured and has long term psychological damage from it. I wouldn't believe those claims anymore than I would the claims that you are making about Obama. If you really believe your claims, then take the time to visit the library and do some real research and let us know what you find.

Posted by: john And the worst thing I seen to me is the video with hilliary joh edwards and company standing on a stage with the flag,they were singing the anthem,everyone but Obama has their hands on their hearts,he has his hands down folded togather!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When ask about this,He (obama) stated the flag and anthem represnts(spelling) opperison and send's the wrong message to the world.He would like to see the bombs bursting in air takeing out of the anthem.And look up the name larry sinclair.you maybe shocked.

Posted by: john I posted a reply,but dont see it on here yet.If they dont post it all you have to do is use the net for yourself,and you will see the proof.

Posted by: john buckeye/jim, okay your right, i just made that stuff up. I pulled it out of where the sun doesn't shine, I jsut don't feel comfortable voting for someone different.

Posted by: Clem Tammy -- I don't know what "values" are important to you. I know that Obama shares my values. I think it is important to support our soldiers by bringing them out of harms way and taking great care of them when they return; to care for the physical well-being of all citizens by providing universal healthcare, and to leave this planet a better place for our grandchildren (and their grandchildren) by addressing global climate change.

Posted by: john All these fact's came from his own mouth,dont you watch him when he speaks.I dont know if they will let me post a link on here,but if they do just go there and get the fact's.there was a post yesterday by a black older lady in Alabama.It was so very true and so very correct,I have read it like 5 times already.all but the birth cit are proven fact's.clintons4mccain.com will answer any and all questions,there are alot more site's out there also.JustsayNodeal.com etc.not hard to find stuff out,and look google has blocked all anti-obama blog's.where the freedom of speach? And no this has nothing to do with him being half black

Posted by: jim John, where did you come up wih all this off the wall information?

Posted by: Buckeye To John: Do you have any verification or reliable sources for points 1,3,and 4? I also have reservations about giving money to churches, but my reservations have nothing to do with race. Point #5 is a legitimate debatable topic.

Posted by: john 1 he doesnt like the bomb's burting in air and wants to chanage it.2 he wants to give mega bucks to churchs like his former evil racist one.3 he supports us repaying for the pain inflected on slaves.4 He has not even released his copy of his org birth cirt,he has a bad copy of it on his site,but goes to great legenths to not discuss it.5 he will talk to roge leaders today(whoops he chanaged his mind).etc just for starters.he will never gain my trust.he needs to go back home to his reduced price home.just another polt.my opp and I'm sticking to it.Oh and getting rid of our nukes so his bud's can take us over eaiser and take our gun's from us.

Posted by: Buckeye To John: What exactly do you expect Obama to do to "BETRAY we the people"? (Details please) On the superdelegate issue, I was responding mostly to another post I saw criticizing Manchin.

Posted by: john To buckeye,You sound like obama.1 rayhall,rock,both pleg their votes before we even voted only our gov manchin waited for us,so dont try to cloud this.And this has nothing to do with flip flop.Think things are bad now?Wait till fist bumping,stalin govt,anthym changeing,rev wright etc.I can live with 4 more years of hard times.Bomb's burstin air.Rember our root's.At least repub's wont BETRAY we the people.NoBama!!!!

Posted by: Buckeye To Tammy: Do you really think the Republican Party has been good for the uneducated and poor? Voting perceived values landed Bush/Cheney in the White House for eight long years. How hard do we have to be hit in the wallet before we demand a different economic plan? Did you know that after Sen Obama graduated from college, he passed up well-paid opportunities in NY to be a lowly-paid community organizer in Chicago? He chose to be an advocate for the "poor, uneducated people". What is wrong with those values?

Posted by: Buckeye To John: The people of WV complaining about the superdelegates should consider this angle. When your supers voted for Sen. Obama, they may have been doing what they considered was best for our country. Let me explain. Regardless of how they would have voted, Sen. Obama was getting the nomination. So, a vote against that would have had the effect of picking a scab. It would only delay the healing needed by their Democratic Party, and the longer that wound needs to heal, the better chance McCain has to win. So, in my opinion, they should be complimented for their willingness to cast their ballot in a way that is unpopular in their state, but in the nation's best interest. Also, any Hillary Clinton supporter that supports McCain has to be a bigger flip-flopper that any politician. These supporters can't be voting on the issues if they make that drastic change.

Posted by: john No where in our state,Didnt you see how much we supported Clinton.Only to have our super del's tell us they know what's best for us.He didnt bother with us before,Dont bother now,Shame our big dem's are gonna make us a red state AGAIN.

Posted by: Tammy There isn't a snowball chance in the hot spot that Obama will win WV. WV may have poor, uneducated people but we have values and it's are values that will keep it from being an Obama win.