Obama First Democratic Presidential Candidate To Carry VA Since 1964
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Sen. Barack Obama narrowly carried Virginia on Tuesday, becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to do so since 1964, despite losing heavily to the GOP in Southwest Virginia. SOUND-OFF: Tell us how you feel about the presidential election? Is America ready for a Democratic president after two Republican terms? Is the USA ready for an African American President?
Sen. Barack Obama narrowly carried Virginia on Tuesday, becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to do so since 1964, despite losing heavily to the GOP in Southwest Virginia.
Even after an ambitious campaign by the Illinois senator that ranged all over the state, Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin swept virtually every municipality from Bristol to the coalfield counties – and by margins generally greater than those by which George W. Bush edged John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election.
The GOP presidential ticket also won overwhelmingly in East Tennessee and carried the Volunteer State.
From the early days of the campaign, analysts said Obama was pursuing a strategy in Virginia first charted by L. Douglas Wilder, who became the state’s first African-American governor by winning big in the urban Democratic strongholds and holding down his losses in the more rural, conservative areas of the state. Wilder became the nation’s first elected black governor.
Obama’s victory was narrower in Virginia than pollsters forecast in the run-up to Election Day, which on average gave the Democrat an advantage of 4 percentage points, according to the independent Web site realclearpolitics.com, which aggregates poll data.
The battle for Virginia, a state newly in play thanks to changing demographics in the northern part of the state, focused unprecedented attention on the Southwest region, drawing a parade of presidential hopefuls to the region since the state’s February primary.
Gov. Mike Huckabee made a stopover at Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Blountville. Former President Bill Clinton spoke at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon on behalf of his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who sought the Democratic nomination for president.
As the race reached a fever pitch, Obama visited Bristol and Lebanon. Sen. Joe Biden, Obama’s running mate, attended the United Mine Workers of America’s annual fish fry in Castlewood, and on Monday, McCain landed in Blountville, also at the airport.
The presidential race sparked heavy and early turnout, and involvement by residents who had never before knocked on a door on behalf of a candidate, made a political phone call or distributed campaign literature.
“It’s a turning point in our country’s history,” said Marge Hudson, a real estate agent and longtime resident of Bristol, Va.
Hudson, a newcomer to political campaigns, placed her business on the backburner while she concentrated on enlisting support for McCain and Palin, becoming a precinct captain for the GOP.
It also kindled the interest of those still ineligible to vote, like 14-year-old Zach Tuggle, a freshman at Tennessee High School, who on Tuesday stood with an Obama banner outside the YWCA in Bristol, Tenn.
“My mom’s a single parent,” he said. “Obama’s economic plan offers more financial padding for our family.”
Still others, like a man who stopped an Obama volunteer outside the YWCA, were undecided with only hours before polls closed.
“What can you tell me about this Obama guy?” asked the man in a camouflage T-shirt who pulled up in a white SUV to speak to volunteer Larry Hartsock. “What’s he changing? Is it for good or for bad?”
Momentum in recent weeks had surged in Obama’s favor, and even some voters in Tennessee – a reliably red state that went decisively for McCain – were subdued about the GOP ticket’s prospects.
“I feel like my candidate isn’t going to win,” said Phillip Booher, a truck driver who lives in Bristol, Tenn., who stood beside his wife, Pam. “It seems like everyone’s saying Obama will get it.”
Pam Booher declined to say who received her vote, but said it’s “probably not the same” vote cast by her husband.
Early voting was heavy in both Bristols, with short-lived lines and no reported snags. There was no frenzied rush at the close of polls; just a few stragglers who trickled in. Among the very last to cast a vote in Bristol, Tenn., was a woman who uses an electric wheelchair.
With five minutes to vote, Katrina Thomas cast her ballot for Obama, she said, speaking in a slow, labored manner.
Thomas has multiple sclerosis, a debilitating immune system disease that has left her unable to walk for more than 12 years. Friends transported her to her polling station at the YWCA late Tuesday.
“The economy is almost as bad as it was during the Great Depression,” Thomas said.
The African-American woman also praised Obama as a role model and hope-bringer.
Submitting her vote, Thomas said, “felt very, very final. This man is going to change the world, bring forward positive change. I did my part.”
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Reader Reactions
Why are you being so critical of my use of Obama’s middle name in my post? Even saying that it discredits my previous thoughts??
I was mearly calling the fellow by his proper, birth given name…..just like will happen as he is sworn in on 1-20-09. All the other president before him and after him will be called by their full names too.
Your the ones that are making it an issue….not me. When folks flare up about something or make an issue out of nothing, it is usually because it is a sore spot for that person.?!
Justthefacts, I was somewhat interested in your post, until I came to the end of it to see your rogue innuendo of Obama’s name. At that point, the entire post lost credit of any rationality because the true intent became clear, albeit masked behind religion. Hussein is from the Semitic word hasan, meaning “good” or “handsome.“ Husayn is the diminutive, affectionate form. It would be more honest if you would just stop talking from the shadows, like so many others, and speak what you really mean.
brownrxmd;
Obama was the first black guy to be on the ballot as a major party candidate in an American election. I think that is CLEARLY what Anybody was saying. Why do you feel you must mischaracterize that?
awesome “justthefacts”! I’d like to just say that Obama isn’t the first black man to run for President though nor is he the worlds first black leader, or even “non Caucasian” leader. I would lay odds that north Korea’s president is closer to being the antichrist, some folks say Marilyn Manson is the antichrist, heck even my fist ex-wife is closer to being the antichrist, she’s on her fifth or sixth husband, talks a pretty good talk, and even promises the good stuff!
justthefacts;
You bring up a good point with your statistics there. And you ask what’s the difference.
The difference is that John McCain is not the first white guy to run for office. You might be inclined to think or say, that’s not my fault, I never owned slaves, etc.
Fair enough. But this a point, which I think is at the crux of race in America today. You didn’t own any slaves, you may not have been around during Jim Crow. However; the fact that these institutions existed as matter of law, even if a generation or more ago, has played a significant role in where black people are today.
Keep in mind; I am not advocating that voting for someone based on their race is good. In fact it is not good at all. But a little understanding may be in order. People who experienced segregation and generation after generation in poverty as a direct result of the enslavement of their ancestors, might be inclined to vote for someone who represents their experience. I would rather that not be the case, but I can honestly say that I don’t blame them. When the novelty of having a black president has worn off, I would expect to see a different turn-out. BTW, did you see how 24% of whites said that race was ‘an important factor?‘ That is problematic as well.
Furthermore on racism;
It is not simply black and white. If you use Obama’s middle name as a means of insinuating that he is un-Christian, or un-American; then you are a racist. Admittedly your not being racist toward black people per se, but you are prejudicing those of middle eastern, as well as African dissent.
Finally on the whole anti-Christ thing: If the Anti-Christ is supposed to be all drawing everyone towards him, then why was Ronald Reagan not considered the anti-Christ. In 1984, he won every state, except D.C. and Minnesota. He drew more people, he was a great speaker, he boasted of great things… Why didn’t I hear anyone saying that he was the anti-Christ? Could it possibly be because he was a white guy with a normal enough sounding name? I think so. I think that all this talk about Barack HUSSEIN Obama being the anti-christ, is really just racism disguised as religion.
So many to respond to and so little time, but here we go.
First off to those who cry racism on the part of those who vote for McCain…..did you watch the election coverage? I for one was watching NBC as they started reporting about the exit polls in VA. They reported something like 40% of white voters were voting for Obama, while 90+% of black voters were voting for Obama. My question would be, did 90+% of blacks agree with his beliefs, policies and promises or were they voting to get the first black president? If 90+% of white voters voted for McCain, the media would be screaming racism, so what is the difference?
I for one voted not for white or black, and not because of white or black. I voted for the man that I thought most closely aligned with the morals and values that would like to see in DC. Was I thrilled with either choice I had? No, I was not. I think that too many Americans let race, age and hate of president Bush rule there decision in voting. They cast their vote for Obama’s “change” without really thinking of how he would or could make the changes.
For those who are debating if God is involved in the election or not, let me assure you he was. Everything that happens is part of the plan of God. Do I think that Obama is the anti-Christ? I do not know, but I am not going to say he is not or totally dismiss the possibility. Tch24201, you can read many places in the Bible about the anti-Christ, false prophet and many other titles for the same person. A lot of text is found in 1 John chapters 2 and 4 along with 2 John chapter 1 and the book of Revelation. This person is said to be a great speaker, boasting great things, one who comes in sheep’s clothing. This person will draw many to them without people realizing what is happening. And thus are the reasons that I do not completely rule it out. Oh and by the way, you might want to use an older translation of the Bible such as the KJV. Some of the new versions of the Bible have had word removed or changed words to make it “feel better” to the modern society. However, as long as the Bible teaches you there is only ONE savior (Jesus Christ) and only ONE way to get to heaven (thru Jesus Christ), you should be ok with the version you use.
In closing, I hope that President Barack Hussein Obama does do well and that our country makes a turn around……but if he should fall on his face or turn our world upside down……………I’ll be waiting with my “Don’t Blame Me, I Voted for McCain” bumper sticker!
Chester—it was not my intention to offend or demean you. Some of the postings about Obama being the Anti-Christ, equating him to those who commit terrorist acts on home soil, and of having a hidden agenda disturb me also (those are the ones I said sort of scare me!) I have always enjoyed reading your posts because they are usually one of the few that are sound, intelligent, non-critical in a personal way, and hope only to present the facts as you see them and try to prove them to be. I was looking forward to honest and open decent debate in the future. And you see that I stated, were the shoe on the other foot, maybe I would have gloated a bit too! I just didn’t expect it from you is all, you have always seemed to be a person of conviction with only good intentions for the future of this country, respectful, if disagreeing, of the views of others. Perhaps my worries are unfounded, but as Anybody said, I am being honest in stating them, for that I thank you Anybody. And as Anybody said, we have to put this behind us, all the nastiness, and work together. That is my plan. Chester, it was honestly not my intention to provoke you, we don’t need that, I am sorry if I have. I am looking towards the future with bright hopes and new dreams. How can we not all be happy if the things Obama promised come into being? He has my support and prayers.
You should really take the time to read what I wrote and comprehend it. You just don’t get my point and that’s o.k. I personally don’t care what you think. You have shown yourself to be a very ignorant speaking person with no respect whatsoever for anyone esle’s opinion which is what this all is. What you say is not the gospel no more than what I say is. You just have to stoop to lower levels to try to make your point than I do. Manners has alot to do with mudslinging..it is bad manners to mudsling. Just state the facts or your opinion and move on, no need to be nasty. I feel confidently that you do not represent the majority of Democrats and that is an assuring feeling, who would want four years of YOU. And by the way, find another word for the day. Omnipotent is used up.
Nuff;
Let me first say that I appreciate the fact that you have been posting your support of McCain, and that you have shown some class here this morning. I appreciate that you have those fears, I think that they are unfounded, but you’re honest and that is OK.
Now when people post things like, “Less than a decade after Muslim Radicals kill 3,000 Americans on US soil, we elect a Muslim Radical to be President,“ it’s a little hard not to be offended and want to gloat to those people. Or when people say post things like, “God did, however, allow us to “choose” Obamana to complete his work that is so dramatically detailed in Revelations!!! I hope we are ready for the “change,“
This innuendo is so incredibly divisive. People who said such things during the campaign did nothing to help their candidate. Now, after the fact, they are doing nothing but making people want to say things like, “you’re a bunch of bitter racists.“
Obviously that is painting with broad brush. Not everyone who voted for McCain did so because they thought Obama hides a secret desire to take America down from within. There are some who disagree on his policies. I don’t think anyone would gloat towards someone like that.
I for one am glad this election is over. I hope that we can all get moving in the correct direction. We have a lot of work to do, and Obama is under no illusions that it will be easy. When people pray for the end of the world, they are not helping. I do hope such people would disassemble the wall of fear they surround themselves in, and be a part of the solution as you, Nuff seem to be doing.
For that I thank you.
I, too, am disappointed in you Chester. I had thought that you would be the only one not gloating over your candidate winning. Had my candidate won, McCain, I would have been pleased and relieved, but the majority spoke and that is what makes the United States great. Now, we must all pull together, put all this nastiness behind us, and make this country even better than it has ever been. That won’t happen if people are calling others losers and feeling vidicated because their candidate won. I have to say that I am just a bit afraid: afraid of what Ms. Obama might say and do while her husband is president because of the awful remark she made of finally being proud of being an American—what did this say to other countries?; afraid that Rev. Wright will be a constant visitor to the White House as well as some of the other unsavory (in my opinion) characters that Obama has associated himself with in the past; afraid of Obama’s stance on dealing with other world leaders—we can not appear to be a weak country; afraid of who he owes ‘favors’ to because of campaign contributions. BUT—I am hopeful that Obama will be able to instigate some of the promises that he made that I feel will be impossible, but keep in my heart that might be possible because they would be for the good of us all. I believe that Obama is honest in his wanting to do what is the very best for this country. Only time will tell, and I will support Obama as completely as I would have McCain had he won. I would like to think that I would have been among the few who didn’t gloat had McCain won, but since that didn’t happen, I won’t know will I?! I know there will be some that will be bitter but let us wait and see what happens in four years. We can either be gloating if you must or see that Obama was able to do what he promised. I am hoping for the latter.
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