Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2008 > May > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJim Webb on the coolness of working-class whites toward Barack Obama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clearly, throughout this presidential election, candidates, journalists and, yes, even bloggers will be talking much about race, feeling for new boundaries with our toes without actually stepping over the precipice.
This morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) had his toe out — carefully describing the cool feelings of the white working class toward Barack Obama, the likely Democratic presidential nominee.
Keep in mind that Webb, like everyone else in the world, has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Obama.
Click on the frame to listen, but the interesting stuff starts just before the five minute mark. Webb is responding to a question from former Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan.
Says Webb:
”This is a very powerful cultural group that’s always underestimated, and it’s not simply in the Appalachian Mountains. But that original settlement that I wrote about began in Pennsylvania, went into Pennsylvania, went down the Appalachian Mountains into northern Georgia, northern Alabama, then spilled west.
“They formed sort of the core group in terms of value systems of working class white America, and we shouldn’t be surprised at the way that they’re voting right now.
“And the reason I would say that is — black America and Scots-Irish America are like tortured siblings. They both have long history and they both missed the boat when it came to all of the larger benefits that a lot of other people were able to receive. There’s a saying in the Appalachian mountains that they say to one another, and it’s, “if you’re poor and white, you’re out of sight.”
“The fact that they would line up and vote this way is not so much a comment on Barrack. I think Barack is saying a lot of good things that will appeal to this cultural group in time.
“When I hear people say this is racism, my back gets up a little bit, because that’s my cultural group. This isn’t Selma, 1965.
This is the result of how affirmative action, which was basically a justifiable concept when it applied to African Americans, expanded to every single ethnic group in America that was not white, and these were the people who had not received benefits and were not getting anything out of it. And they’re basically saying, hey, let’s pay attention to what has happened to this cultural group in terms of opportunities.
“…If this cultural group could get at the same table as black America you could rechange populist American politics. Because they have so much in common in terms of what they need out of government.”
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Comments
By COL. [retd] A.M.Khajawall
May 21, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Dear Fellow Americans,
Our Great-grand Nation, the United States of America is facing and will face very critical and substantial “Challenges” in coming, months, years, and next decade[s].
It is very essential as well as critical that we pick our next President keeping in mind the following criteria.
A candidate who has a clear and candid ” Vision and Mission” for our Nation.
A candidate with ” Strong Character and Stable Integrity” in-spite of adversity during our present election process.
A candidate with sound and sustained “Presidential Temperament” and ” Judgment”.
A candidate with little “Washington exposure” and “real connectedness with people and future generation”.
A candidate who “Inspires us up” rather than “Tears us Down”.
A candidate not based on sexism, racism,regionalism,and ageism and as well as “ attempts to bring us together “
In my professional, political and personal opinion, the only candidate that meets the all above characteristics and has shown constant and consistent coolness, calmness, and connectedness { PRESIDENTIAL TEMPERAMENT } is Senator Barrack Obama.
As an independent registered voter since 1980. I voted for Carter, voted for Reagan, voted for First Bush, and second Bush in 2000 and In the process last interest in Washington politics and I stopped voting. Getting disinterested and disgusted in our political process and stopping voting that was a very bad decision in any circumstance, particularly under present circumstances.
This time we can not afford to stay on side lines and let “Washington” stay the same.We can not afford our Greatgreat Nation to become less than what we are, what we were and what we can be?
We need to send clear, careful and candid message to the world and some time 24 hour partisan divisive media, that WE the American people will set the agenda for our future and America will be back.
These partisan media outlets are trying to deprive, dupe, and derail us and our Nation in getting it right this time. We not let it happen this time or in future.
Some of these partisan media and pundits are trying their best to deny us better future and continue focus our weaknesses and generate bitter future for us and our Greatgrand Nation. { Our Greatgrand Nations people are persistently and constantly subjected to this Psychological Terrorism” without common people’s knowledge. The common and regular people do not have time to see thru and sort thru this psychological terrorism perpetuated by some of these partisan media outlets. I find it tragic, unfortunate, and sad [ Probably they do not care about our Greatgrand Nation ].
We the Americans should not and would not to allow Some these partisan media outlets psychologically terrorized, traumatized and silence us this time or any time in future.
I am sure that we will get it right this time and elect Senator Obama our next President.
Let us remember that our Greatgrand is constituted of family, friends,fellowships, faith, funds,foundation, fun, and future with fairness and freedom and without fear, favor, or failure .
We can not afford to lose any of above. Let us stand up, be counted, save, build our Greatgrand Nation for centuries to come and regain our world economic, moral, and power status back.
God Bless our Great grand Nation and its diverse people.
Our Greatgrand nation needs present and future stability, security, safety,sustained progress and restoration of our due status in this perilous Global World at the all levels.
Yours sincerely,
COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall M.D. Forensic Psychiatrist. Disables American Veteran. Las Vegas Nevada. Cell: 951-505-6975
By ben
May 21, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
I like Jim Webb, but stating that affirmative action has been “expanded to every single ethnic group in America that was not white” is incorrect. There are protected groups to which AA applies. Some groups, some non-white MINORITIES, can not take advantage of AA. Secondly, the biggest beneficiary of Affirmative Action is women of all colors including white.
Now, if Sen Webb were attempting to explain why a certain group felt this way about AA, complete with the misunderstanding of how it worked, then I get his point. However, if what is printed up top is to be taken at face value, then he’s perpetuating the myths surrounding Affirmative Action. That’s not good.
By While Liberal Chick
May 21, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Ben, the article says Sen. Webb was explaining “the cool feelings” of a certain segment of the population. Therefore describing their perception is more pertinent than describing “how it really works,” which would be an action item if your goal is to dispell myths and win these people over. Still, people relate to what happens in their own lives more than statistics you can quote them. To win them over, address their issues so they don’t feel like everyone else’s issues are important except theirs.
By lucky
May 21, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Is there no “black working class”? I never hear that reference.
By lucky
May 21, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Is there no “black working class”? I never hear that reference.
By irene in mass
May 21, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
I really like the idea of Webb on the ticket with Obama. Talk about balance! Webb is best known for his military expertise, but he has a near perfect alliance with Obama on economic policies and on the process of governing. Webb’s approach to getting his GI Bill passed is the best illustration of the kind of politics Obama believes we need to pursue for all the complex problems that face the nation. People who think Obama wouldn’t warm to a guy like Webb forget that he came up through Chicago’s system—he can handle himself just fine around two fisted guys. I think they’d be unbeatable. He doesn’t need a woman on the ticket to attract HRC supporters—his stand on the issues, especially in comparison to McCain’s, will persuade most to support the ticket if not the man (men). If Webb could help introduce Obama to Appalachia, McCain would not have a foothold.
By bobbysell
May 21, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Webb on the ticket would be tremendous, and I think it is highly probable. He has been taking a higher profile on the various political shows, especially the Sunday morning group. He has some of the national security bona fides Obama lacks. I also agree that Obama shows intellectual curiousity about the other guy that will serve us well in dealing with a world where we do not have all the cards. We need to vote in November people and take our country back.
By GodHatesTrash
May 22, 2008 5:57 AM | Link to this
Webb is right - hillbilly culture is responsible for the generational poverty in Appalachia and much of rural America - and redneck culture is killing our country.
Ghetto culture and redneck culture have much in common - hopelessness, a love and belief in violence, and a worship of stupidity and superstition.
It is past time for you rednecks to get up on your hindlegs and join the 21st century.
Stop being and acting like trash.
By Mr. Reality
May 22, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Lucky…
As always the working black class doesn’t exist….
Call ( 678 ) WE VOTE 1 ( 678 ) 938-6831 And SEE your message and voice heard & posted at www.farrelvotes.blogspot.com! Messages are posted daily.
By observer
May 22, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
SAN FRANCISCO—A new poll released today in California finds political momentum shifting dramatically toward Barack Obama—and away from both Hillary Clinton and John McCain—in the nation’s most populous state.
According to a survey conducted over the past 10 days by the Public Policy Institute of California, 59 percent of likely voters here now have a “favorable” impression of Democrat Obama, while a majority view both of the other candidates unfavorably.
In a state whose Democratic primary Clinton won in February, 51 percent of voters now say they have an unfavorable opinion of her; 53 percent of voters feel the same way about Republican McCain.
Obama, meanwhile, seems to be making strides across nearly every constituency. If the general election were held today, 54 percent of Californians say they would vote for him, compared with 37 percent for McCain. That gap has widened by 8 points since March. Obama enjoys the support of more than 80 percent of Democrats here, along with over half (55 percent) of independents. He leads McCain among men and women and is viewed favorably by nearly 70 percent of Latinos—a powerful political group, experts note, not just in California but in several other western states, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada.
While there has been an epidemic of hand-wringing among Democratic political analysts over Obama’s inability to win over low-income white voters in states like Kentucky and West Virginia, where Clinton has dominated recent primaries, California seems to be a different story. Obama leads McCain by a double-digit margin here among likely voters, no matter what their incomes. He enjoys a 55-to-35 percent lead among those who make less than $40,000 a year, including whites; a 55-to-36 percent lead among those who make between $40,000 and $80,000; and a 53-to-37 percent lead among those who make $80,000 or more.
“As the presidential campaign has moved further away from California, what’s been taking place is solid support among Democrats and increasing support among independent voters,” says Mark Baldassare, president of the Public Policy Institute of California, the nonpartisan group that released the poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 voters. “John McCain is certainly going to have his work cut out for him here.”
Before it comes to that, the survey may offer a much-needed boost to the Obama campaign, which has faced questions—many of them from Clinton herself—about its candidate’s general election chances after dramatic defeats in West Virginia and Kentucky. The new poll, Baldassare says, not only demonstrates how difficult it may be to pigeonhole white working-class voters, many of whom turned their backs on Obama in the South, but it also reveals how much voters’ views can evolve once the acrimony of the primary season begins to fade. In California, at least, Latinos and low-income whites—two groups who strongly supported Clinton in the state’s primary—have rallied behind their second choice in the months since February. “These numbers are particularly telling in a state that Clinton won easily,” says Baldassare. “For Democrats who supported Clinton, time has passed, and looking at the general election, up against McCain, they are coming together.”
By Gary
May 22, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
If one wonders why Democrats have had a hard time in the last 40 years at winning elections then look no further to the words that came out of the mouth of GodHatesTrash When the people of the Democrat party and their supporters continue to belittle working class folks and southerners then they get what they deserve, election losses. Those same sentiments have been used to describe southern or working whites as “rednecks” and the national party thumbs there nose to these folks. Well one day they may learn their lesson and recognize the people who once made them a major national party. Until then expect Republicans to continue to control the Presidency.
Oh yeah and VP candidates outside of Lyndon B Johnson and Teddy Roosevelt, don’t have much of a factor on the Presidential race. People will not be voting for Jim Webb, they will be voting for Barack Obama.
By Copyleft
May 22, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
They certainly will, Gary… they certainly will.
By Captain Reality Bites
May 23, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
So Gary we get s** because you live in fear, thanks a-hole
By Gary
May 23, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
No Captain, I don’t live in fear. I live with pride and hope. If people think southerners and working class folks live in fear, then that is why they are losing elections. The southerner and working class whites want a leader who they can relate to and who hears the issues that are important to them(education, health care, taxes, etc)and offers suggestions to help them. They also take offense when a candidate puts down the military, the country, or themselves. They don’t like elitists and that is why Obama will have a hard time winning them over and thus the Election in November.
And yes copy left those people who vote for Obama will go ahead and vote for him. But if anyone thinks that Jim Webb, Ed Rendell, or any other blue collar Democrat is going to bring over the “Reagan Democrats” well then they are mistaken. I am tired of hearing the punditry suggest a VP candidate will help pull in swing voters. It never happens unless that someone is very popular in a certain area of the country such as Johnson was in Texas when Kennedy was elected or when William McKinley chose a war hero by the name of Teddy Roosevelt to be his running mate at the turn of the 20th century. Right now, neither party has that kind of person who they can pick for the VP.
Also, gotta love those who support ultra-liberals. When they disagree with you they call you names instead of graciously disagreeing and having a simple minded debate. That attitude is what is wrong with this country.
By Will Jones
May 24, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
It’s wrong-headed to be “gracious” with traitors…or their shills committing Misprision of Treason - also a Federal crime.
Just because the Pollyannas, the cowards and morons aren’t willing to confront the fact, recognized by eighty percent of Americans, that Bush and Cheney committed 9-11 (Viz. Emeritus Professor David Ray Griffin, PhD), doesn’t get the job of restoring righteous governance done.
Obama/Webb this Fall is just a start, unless Hillary’s darkest dream is fulfilled. She is pure evil: did you think Winthrop’s “yard-baby” Bill was unequally yoked? And McCain is a walking corpse living the curse of a goat serving Rome who threw away his jet, betrayed his wife, and married the Mob.
Death for treason. Grace is by Annuit Coeptis. Grace for treason sends them back to the Creator by the noose.
www.theamericanfundament.blogspot.com
By deltatina
May 25, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Will,
Seems a little harsh why not fly them coach thru Newark…
By Washington30
May 28, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
I am learning a little something about rural White America, since people like Obama and Webb started speaking out. I am biracial ( not of white decent, but latin and AA). And I didn’t give rural Americans a thougth, I lumped them up there with rich or middle class and never poor. I appreciate what Obama and Webb are trying to do.
By Will Jones
May 28, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
No less harsh than sending thousands of us to die for a homosexual draft-dodger’s lies in Iraq.
Weed the garden or lose the crop. In America we must have Truth and Justice for the Generations. That our children’s children be neither slave nor slavemaster, treason must not be permitted to prosper.
Expropriation and extirpation after convictions and execution of those who committed 9-11 (Viz. David Ray Griffin’s irrefutable scholarship) for the entire Fifth Column and its fascist plutocracy now trying to destroy the People and the Constitution.
Be true to the Mottoes. Honor the Founders.
Death for Treason Annuit Coeptis
www.theamericanfundament.blogspot.com
By Churchill
May 28, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Why are working class Democrat voters racist? I thought all the racism in this country was on the right? How can this be? Democrats love diversity. Right? I am stunned. Stunned.
Well at least the Democrat Party can no longer point the finger of racism towards the right. Most people agree that the racist Democrat party has lost all standing with regard to the race issue. Peace.