To DUers in the southland, see any hopeful shifts for a Dem victory in your state?

Senator Jim Webb of Virgina told Tim Russert on Meet The Press yesterday that he believes a Democrat could win Virginia in the GE for President. Tim also asked him who he would like to endorse; Jim responded with a laugh and said he would endorse whoever the Dems nominated.

If John Edwards is our nominee, I'd like to think he has a good shot in NC; but I grew up in GA in the 60's - the south sometimes changes at the speed of molasses. I even hear from relatives still down there that a few NASCAR dads they know are finally sick of what BushCo has done to the common folk, but many more still live and breath the bible belt mentality. They like preacher man Huckabee (yuk!).

QUESTION: Other than Virgina (and maybe Florida), do you think any Dem nominee has a chance to win in the south? Any of our southern DU brethren see any signs that the times may be changing down in the southland?

Texas will have a better showing than in the past, but the progress is slow and it will be years before it reaches that point. There will be urban areas that will make good progress, but the rural areas will hold the state back.


I know that's not exactly breaking news. Sorry. :(

at winning the Presidency. The vote is usually around 60% Republican, 40% Democrat. Mississippi is 65% white, 35% black. Get the picture?

We're pretty much in the Stone Age here. I'm just waiting to see which idiot replaces Trent Lott.:scared:

Too many fundies and Kool-Aid drinkers. And not only that but it's also the home of OxyRush and Coultergeist.

I've seen a couple of large Fred Thompson signs outside of Tampa. Probably the most prevalent signs have been yard signs for Ron Paul that I've seen here and there around Clearwater.

Outside of a few (and far between) bumper stickers I can't even detect a Democratic presence.

I see some Edwards bumper stickers and many road signs for Paul. I've lived here all my life and have no idea how this is going to go.

They don't like him there, even the Dems called him Senator Gone because he started running for president nearly as soon as he became a senator and they didn't appreciate that. He wouldn't have won re-election for Senate, which is why he didn't dual like Lieberman, anyway.

That said - no, with this group of Democrats, I don't see any changes. I don't even think Virginia will go blue this year, to be honest. Yes, Southerners are fed up with Bush, but they don't really see a Democrat - like, say Webb - in whom they can identify (psst... Edwards is too rich, pretty and stand-offish to woo the independent white males in the South - and they're the vote turners). The only way the Dem will win is if the religious wrong splinter off with their own candidate and split the Republican/Right-leaning Indie vote - but not because the Dem did much to help people (we don't have anyone running, save Kucinich, who won't make it to the general election, that actually cares about the little people).

I'm sorry to be so depressing - but I don't hold out much hope for the 2008 presidential election. There COULD be some Congressional changes, though - and I'd rather work toward that. A clear majority in the Senate, theoretically, would be better than the presidency anyway.

And, this is why I'm not too into this year's primary. I really don't see a Dem who can flip any red states.

Thanks Clark2008 for the thoughtful words.

Yep. Pretty depressing assessment alright, but realistic. I know southern culture and was not expecting too much shift, but it has been over 20 years since I lived there --- maybe things have changed a bit?

I do agree with your assessment of a split rethug vote. No way in hell most southern rebels gonna pull the lever for Rudy. Won't happen any more then they would for Hillary. If Rudy gets the nod, maybe many will simply stay home.

What about Wes Clark as a VP choice for our nominee? Hear anything regarding his being open to considering that possibility?

BTW, I'm a little more optimistic then you regarding the GE. If it is Edwards (despite NC) or Obama, I feel we have a chance. If it's Hillary, forget it - even if Wes is her VP.