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Rural Senators Endorsing Obama

by BooMan
Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 09:55:39 AM EST

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), the second-ranking party leader in the Senate, says President Bill Clinton’s comments about Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) are getting “too personal” and called on the former president to refrain from attacking Obama’s integrity.
“I’m really troubled by his questioning the sincerity of Barack Obama’s opposition to the war in Iraq,” Durbin said. “I really think it is unfortunate to question Barack’s sincerity on the war. He has been there from the start, opposing this war.”

Meanwhile, Claire McCaskill, joins Tim Johnson, and Ben Nelson in endorsing Obama. I read this development two ways...on the one hand these endorsements are coming from very conservative senators. On the other hand, the conservatism of their respective electorates probably explains their preference better than their affinity for the candidates or their policies. What do I mean?

I mean that South Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri might be better fits for the kind of New Democrat policies the Clintons espouse, but Hillary's personality (or reputation) overwhelms that. What's remarkable is that the senators would rather go with a black politician from Chicago than with Hillary Clinton. In a weird sort of way this is a good thing and a sign of progress in the way rural America looks at race. But it is strange to see.

Rural Senators Endorsing Obama | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (4.00 / 3)

Dear Democrats, I beg of thee, do not make Hil your nominee.

by wilderness wench on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 10:03:18 AM EST

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (4.00 / 2)

Obama is seen as conservative on the fiscal ledger and progressive on social issues. We wait for his plan.

The GOP are salivating for Hillary, preparing for her to be the nominee.

They've posted the Hillary Spendometer.

HRC's proposed spending reads good - her $5,000 baby bonus for each child born in the U.S - will be music to the ears of many in the party.

But here comes the GOP spin. She'll need to raise taxes as the economy Is in recession, falling revenues will impact her proposals.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 10:20:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

She'll need to raise taxes as the economy Is in recession

Because if she tries to borrow the money, she may find that tab maxxed about because of Bush's war.

Getting back to Obama's rural appeal, this is not unprecedented that 'rural' states would go for a black candidate. By the time Jesse ran in 1984, people were hurting because of Reaganomics. Jesse came to visit white townspeople who wouldn't have normally voted for a black man--and some flew the rebel flag (I heard about this in places like West Virginia and Missouri) AND shook his hand, hoping that he would draw attention to their plight:

This from the NYT, dated 1988:

This morning, for example, Mr. Jackson left Houston at dawn and flew here for a hastily added meeting with a farm family, Dorothy and Robert Mau, and their sons, Danny and Martin, in nearby Chatham. The family's 1400-acre farm, which largely grows corn and soybeans, has been stricken by the Middle West drought.
Reagan Chided on Farms
''It's time for our Government to institute emergency measures to save family farmers and ranchers, urban water supplies and consumers' pocketbooks,'' said Mr. Jackson after walking through the parched fields. ''Obviously the President hasn't done enough - he just ordered a study.
''It's time for a moratorium on farm foreclosures and the use of surplus grain for ranchers who are affected. It's a rural crisis.''

and also this excerpt from Keep Hope Alive: Jesse Jackson's 1988 Presidential Campaign.

Wisconsin, with only a black population of 4%, went for Jackson in a big way in their primary because dairy farmers were hurting and towns were depressed.

Better check out what local issues are brewing for 'rural' places bordering Illini, and elsewhere. Recession usually hits out of the way joints like this first and hardest.

An untypical Negro

by blksista (gab1954@gmail.com) on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 04:38:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 1)

I can only speak to Missouri. I think it's three things:

Obama is a neighbor. Missouri and Illinois border each other and the media market for one of Missouri's two cities (St. Louis)extends into Illinois. So we get a lot of Illinois news and hear a lot about Obama and he gets good press. He's fairly popular.
Hillary is irrationally hated in out-state (rural) Missouri. And I do mean irrationally. It is impossible to have any kind of discussion about her with most out-staters. Now, the the rural people in Southern Missouri (which is in fact very southern)may not vote for a black candidate. But they don't irrationally hate Obama; they simply wouldn't vote for a black person (and even that seems to be changing a bit - southern Illinois is like southern Missouri and they seem to like Obama). There's a key difference. Missouri Democrats hopes the rural people stay home because the Republican ticket is so weak. Hillary could bring them out; Obama probably wouldn't. We have a HUGE governors race on the ticket. We don't want Republicans coming out angry to vote.
Obama helped McCaskill a lot when she was running for Senator. He did multiple fund raisers for her and he was such a celebrity that they were big draws. We were one of his stops on his GOTV tour the weekend before the election and he was the featured speaker at the St. Louis GOTV rally. Hillary? Hillary came into the state during that election to raise money for ... herself. Now - it's not like she took that money away from Claire because the donors were already maxed out on Claire. But she didn't do it to help Claire.

So to the extent that Claire was going to endorse anybody, I don't think this endorsement is much of a surprise.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 10:47:00 AM EST

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

btw - for some reason I find it very funny that you call McCaskill a rural senator. Yes most of the state is rural, but aren't most? Are Bob Casey and Arlan Spector rural senators? I've driven through Pennsylvania - lots of rural areas ... In fact, what IS a rural state?

Or is it HER that you think is rural? McCaskill (like all Democrats) won the state by getting huge turnout in the cities and depressing Republican turnout in the rural areas. I think of her personally, as urban.

Or is this just East Coast Librul Elitism rearing its ugly head :)

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 10:58:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

Missouri is a bit like Pennsylvania, with Kansas City being like Pittsburgh and St. Louis like Philly. I can see that. Yet, McCaskill is still developing a voting record that more nearly resembles that of a prairie state senator than a rust best senator. And I think she would endorse Hillary if not for the bad reputation she has as a 'liberal' in her state.

by BooMan on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:05:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

I think you should examine your East Coast Elitist conscience on this use of "rural" - cuz it sounds pejorative to me :)

I think if Claire was choosing to endorse solely on issues she'd probably endorse Hillary. You're right, she is a conservative Democrat (although it's interesting that she became MORE conservative when she got to Washington, which is something none of us in Missouri really understand). But politics isn't just issues its ... politics. I think she endorsed him for the three reasons I put above. None of which were based on issues.

We're on a roll endorsing Obama here in the eastern part of the state:

McCaskill joins the region's Democratic members of Congress in her support of Obama. Reps. Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan, both D-St. Louis, are backing their Illinois neighbor, as is Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay is supporting Clinton, along with ex-U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-St. Louis County. Clinton's state director state Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis.

So, in part Obama is seen as the local guy here in St. Louis. But, also, McCaskill isn't tied in with the old time Gephardt machine. In fact I'm not sure Gephardt helped her much in the 2006 election. Mayor Slay, for instance, is very tied into the Gephardt camp and thus made the politically stupid move of endorsing Hillary months ago. He could have garnered a lot of goodwill from the St. Louis black community (which he is in need of for a number of reason) but was strongarmed by the Gephardt camp into endorsing Hillary. So, issues have very little to do with most of the endorsements.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:18:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (4.00 / 2)

Maybe you should examine your urban bias, since rural is a neutral term ;)

by BooMan on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:27:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

In Booman's defense, not that he needs it, McCaskill won by going after Jim Talent in the rural areas of Missouri.
And to a certain extent told us Metropolitan based Dems. vote for me, because the alternative is Jim Talent.

by americanforliberty on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 12:17:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

oh, I know. I'm just teasing BooMan because he's prejudiced against the midwest ;)

But she didn't win the rural areas, she just caused Talent to win by less.

I remember election night and watching returns. You know how it is -- all Republican until the cities/suburbs come in at the end.

Newbies didn't understand why we were so excited as returns kept coming in showing her losing and we'd say - but the margin is GREAT! Talent is winning by less than he should.

We need that again AND big turnout from the cities. You have a big race on your side -- for Congress, right? Will Kay Barnes bring them out?

btw - I'm not defending any of McCaskill's votes in Congress - especially FISA. I'm very vocal over at ShowMeProgress about my disappointment in her record. And her staff is tired of me calling, I'm sure.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 12:26:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

I should give her credit where due - she didn't vote for Kyle-Lieberman.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 12:31:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

Yes, I think Congressman Graves will be home on the farm this time next year. His lost will allow him to spend more time with his family.

by americanforliberty on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 12:35:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

Arkansas also borders your state, although I doubt there is much, if any, media penetration. But I don't suppose the Ozarks are too pro-Clinton.

by BooMan on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:10:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 1)

Well, we're bordered by Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahamo, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.

There are two major media markets (Kansas City Missouri and St. Louis Missouri) that overlap into Kansas and Illinois respectively. There's a decent sized media market in Springfield Missouri (the Ozarks) that may overlap some into Northwestern Arkansas area. The other decent sized media market is in the center of the state where Jefferson City (the state capital) and Columbia (the University of Missouri) are.

The Ozarks (southwestern Missouri) would not be pro-Clinton. That is John Ashcroft/Roy Blunt territory and is where the forces of evil gather. It is not pro - ANY Democrat. Southeastern Missouri isn't much better.

It is specifically this part of the state that we want to stay quiet and depressed about the Republican ticket. It's all very much guided by churches down there. If we were really lucky, Mitt Romney would get the nomination. If we are unfortunate, it will be Huckabee.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:25:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

I wonder how black evangelicals would respond to a Clinton-Huckabee race. I suspect that Huckabee could make not insignificant inroads there, particularly if there is lingering resentment over the defeat of Obama.

by BooMan on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:31:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

It's an interesting question that I hadn't thought about. I would normally guess that Black Evangelicals in my state would go Democratic but that's because all the Black Evangelicals that I know are in St. Louis. Of course Democratic turnout in the cities is key so those are the people to be worried about.

I hadn't wondered if Huckabee could cut into that support - but it's possible. He comes across as a good man. (I haven't looked into his black support in Arkansas, that would be interesting.) And his populism would help him. And if, as you say, they are angry at Clinton, it could turn them.

Although to be fair if Obama wasn't running the black community would be wholeheartedly supporting Clinton. There was huge support for Bill. One of Al Gore's stupider moves in 2000 was to refuse requests by the St. Louis Black community to have Bill Clinton come to GOTV. If you are going to carry Missouri you have to have huge turnout in the cities. We didn't. Clinton could have helped Gore.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:41:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 1)

One thing to keep in mind about Huckabee is that parol issue. The man that he helped get out on parol went on to rape and murder a woman - in Missouri. So if Huckabee is the nominee southern Missouri can expect to see lots of attack ads about that. It could help blunt some Evangelical fervor. At least that's what we hope :)

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:44:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

I'm a Black Evangelical - my take on that question was posted here.

The Underground Railroad

by Oscar In Louisville on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 04:30:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

your take on it doesn't surprise me. I disagree with you, but that's not the point. I think your position will be shared by many and it could have an effect on the election.

by BooMan on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 04:35:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 1)

Interesting. But I think a President Huckabee would be a disaster purely on the grounds that his choices for the Supreme Court would, imo, be disastrous.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 04:42:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 1)

Via Antonio French, one of the local bloggers:

One factor in McCaskill's endorsement may have been that her relationship with Hillary Clinton has been a bit shaky dating back to when McCaskill was running for the senate in 2006.
During an appearance that year on NBC's "Meet the Press", McCaskill said she didn't want former President Bill Clinton, who had previously appeared at a rally for McCaskill in St. Louis, anywhere near her daughter. PubDef.net learned that the next day a fundraiser the Clintons had scheduled for McCaskill in New York was canceled.
Here's the transcript from that October 8, 2006 show:
MR. RUSSERT: You're having Bill Clinton come in to raise money for you. Do you think Bill Clinton was a great president?
MS. McCASKILL: I do. I think--I have a lot of problems with some of his, his, his personal issues. I said at...
MR. RUSSERT: But do you...
MS. McCASKILL: I said at the time, "I think he's been a great leader, but I don't want my daughter near him."
MR. RUSSERT: You said that, according to New Yorker magazine, that you don't think Hillary Clinton would be a good Democratic nominee because she couldn't win Democrats in Missouri. True?
MS. McCASKILL: Well, you know, honestly, the presidential politics is going to get very intense and very, frankly, there's going to be a lot of back and forth after November. I don't want to get into presidential politics today.
MR. RUSSERT: Would you like to see her president?
MS. McCASKILL: You know, I, I, I think any Democratic nominee is going to be better than this president.

Full disclosure: I think Antonio does some work for Obama campaign. But he works hard on his blog and it's generally accurate factually. I hadn't heard this story before though.

Help me raise money for Jay Nixon, the next Democratic governor of Missouri

by maryb2004 on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 01:07:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 0)

wow.

by BooMan on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 01:17:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rural Senators Endorsing Obama (none / 1)

If memory serves, most Dem presidents inherit a downturned economy from their Rep predecessor. This one will particularly nasty and Hillary would be severely handicapped from getting one iota of bipartisan agreement.
Rural parts of the country, big & little ag have been suffering droughts, tainted products, excessive fuel costs, etc. and they're tapped.
This country doesn't have the luxury anymore to spend time on Hillary bashing.

good post:
http://agonist.org/stirling_newberry/20080112/recessions_stimulus_and_broken_politics

No Hillary, you were outspent by the people not the Obama campaign.

by mainsailset (rideback@gmail.com) on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:03:07 AM EST

Clinton joined Lieberman on Iraq War Resolutions (none / 1)

.
TPM - Compare And Contrast: Hillary And Obama's Votes On Iraq

Especially interesting are the posted comments and links added to article:

On March 30, 2007 - 2:52pm SandThroughTheEyeGlass said:

"...I never heard anyone in the progressive community warn that Bush would not allow the inspectors to finish their job..."

The warnings were made/implied in the Senate, which has a lot more credibility than the blogosphere. Some Senators did read the PNAC guide to regime change without WMD's.

Levin's Resolution

H/T: Links for you to explore other amendments that would have provided checks and balances, and more importantly "prevented a war".

Of course Hillary Clinton joined Joe Lieberman on his untimely Iran resolution! The best explanation is her dependance on the Jewish vote in her home state and AIPAC support.

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Sun Jan 13th, 2008 at 11:35:06 AM EST

Rural Senators Endorsing Obama | 24 comments (24 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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