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February 05, 2008
Obama handily beats Clinton in Hamilton County; rural vote way different
Unlike Hamblen County, where Hillary Clinton cleaned up, Barack Obama has 52.72% of the vote, to Hillary Clinton's 42.98%, in Hamilton County (with 89% of precincts reporting).
Also, in Hawkins County: Clinton 74%, Obama 17%.
Why would rural Tennessee Democrats go for a Clinton, of all people, over the awe-inspiring Barack Obama? What is the cause of such a disparity between the hinterlands and even just a moderately more urban area?
Leaves me scratching my head in wonder, I tell ya.
Political News | By joe lance | 10:46 PM
Comments
while I wish it wasnt the case, I'm thinking race is a big factor.
Posted by: bobw at February 6, 2008 08:44 AM
I think a bit of racism, but more, that those communities are not too diverse. That is why diversity is so important - when people live and work together, they learn they have more alike than different in their lives.
Posted by: Candy at February 6, 2008 09:07 AM
Maybe Tennessee's not ready for change?
Or rather, Tennessee Democrats aren't ready for change. They must like losing general elections (hat tip 2000 and 2004).
They closed polls early in Memphis due to weather. Could have made a difference. Also, where was Harold Ford? Obama came down here and campaigned for him in 2006.
But yeah, racism undoubtedly played a role.
Posted by: davidm. at February 6, 2008 10:39 AM
If it was most rural parts of TN are you sure it wasn't a name recognition issue?
Posted by: Carrie at February 6, 2008 01:08 PM
I'm not sure of anything about it. That's an angle that has crossed my mind, and probably had some impact, but may not be responsible for the bulk of it.
Posted by: joe lance at February 6, 2008 01:27 PM
Candy put it in a different light, above, when she indicated that rural whites are simply unused to diversity. But then again, there are all those false email rumors about Obama in circulation.
Posted by: joe lance at February 6, 2008 01:36 PM
yeah I've got a well educated and intelligent co-worker talking about his "ties to Islam" and saying it's not worth the risk.
Posted by: bobw at February 6, 2008 02:01 PM
I've heard that he's the anti-christ. Where do these rumors come from?
Posted by: davidm. at February 6, 2008 02:18 PM
Harold Ford is too busy working for Fox"News" and running the DLC (which is very much a Clintonesque organization -- it supported the Iraq war, has a reputation for triangulation on the issues, and is very cozy with big business), so it's not surprising that he didn't try to help out Obama at all (although it is still kinda crappy of him).
Posted by: alice at February 6, 2008 02:50 PM
That's right. I forgot that Ford was a "policy man" these days...(falsetto voice: jo-oke).
Posted by: davidm. at February 6, 2008 02:59 PM
I dont think racism plays as big of a role as it used too. We have a black democrat state rep representing a gop district in the east state. In Alabama a black democrat won a state house race last week in a 98% white diistrict. In northeast mississippi a black democrat won a senate seat in a 95 % white district. In Georgia there are two black GOPers serving in the state house. So this isnt the old south anymore.
Posted by: dan t at February 7, 2008 08:16 PM