On the subject of Rand Paul, Jack Conway, and making generalizations about Southern states

[Darth_Ole]

I've not posted in a while, but the latest poll showing Conway having closed the gap to two points with Paul has me encouraged! (The same group's poll four weeks ago had Conway down by 15).

Ergo, my fellow DUers, one thing that will help the cause in my native Kentucky (and elsewhere) is exuding optimism and energy through your comments on this board, donating, getting in touch with friends/family you know in Kentucky and urging them to vote for Conway.

I make this suggestion particularly because I frequently see posts here and on other forums that make assertions like, "Kentucky is a racist state, and will probably elect Paul in a landslide."

A "racist" state! Imagine: A state in which literally everyone is a racist! That must include me!

Making such broad assumptions about entire states, particularly in the south, is quite a turnoff even for us progressives. Prejudice exists all over this country, and we have no business writing off any state based on our misunderstandings of it-- the latest polls in Kentucky prove this. Obama's victories in Virginia and North Carolina in 2008 are further indicators of the potential success.

Yes, Jack Conway is a mixed bag: He opposes cap and trade and letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealth expire, but he has also strongly supported a public health option and the Employee Free Choice Act. It's been a while since Kentucky has had a state-wide candidate that is this liberal, and it's certainly been a while that a Kentucky candidate this liberal in has a shot at WINNING.

So please stop the condescension toward certain states. We'll be better off for it.

Five weeks left. Let's do this shit!

[Bluzmann57]

1. Right you are.

I live in Iowa, a state which went for Obama in '08 and I have heard some awful stuff coming from people's mouths. Proving your point about bigotry being everywhere. Let's hope that Mr. Conway can pull off the upset down there in Kentucky and you people can get better representation than you have now.

[JustAmused]

2. Thank you

I totally agree with you. I am also in Kentucky. I quit posting here years ago, although I continued to read because of that kind of prejudice against the south. Let's get Jack elected !!!

[karynnj]

3. Excellent points and very persuasively written

Conway does seem to be a very engaging candidate in the small number of things I have read. With the reputation he has from his current work, his personality (from the few things I've read) and the fact that he is better looking than Scott Brown, without the vanity would have likely made him a very strong candidate anywhere. The fact that he is competitive in this year (which is hard almost everywhere) in Kentucky suggests that even if he loses, he could be back the next time this seat (or McConnell's) is up.

Best wishes to him.

Like you, I think that Democrats changing the tone and showing enthusiasm - even if not completely felt at first and mocked (as it will be) by the media - could make the enthusiasm real. Remember that Limbaugh himself spoke of how devastating for generations letting the Democrats pass healthcare reform would be. That was likely never completely true, but it was true in the near term. Their own vague plan lists things that it will do - that are actually in the bill - and which they fought. We need to get the good points out. I remember reading that smiling or laughing, even if you intentionally laugh for no cause, physiologically will make you feel more relaxed and happier. Showing enthusiasm is contagious as well and it will annoy the Republicans (reason enough to do so!)

Not to mention, if Democrats begin to look happy, enthused, and more optimistic it could be disconcerting to Republicans and given that enthusiasm is based on red hot anger, they could spin downward if they see the promised Republican wave receding too fast. I have been watching Real Clear Politics, though it is a red site. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ They show the various polls as soon as available and blindly average the most recent ones. When a new poll comes in, if it changes the average, they for some period of times put a color coded arrow going up or down - reflecting the direction of the then winning candidate. For at least the last week, if I tallied the arrows favorable to us and to them - we have had more each and every day. Also, at top, the Senate number of pretty sure Democrats has risen from the high 40s to 50 (where the lowest of our "winners" is winning by 6%). There are 4 toss ups (NV, CO, KY, WV). This is the first time I have seen that at 50 or above. This already means, per their assessment, we are fighting over the size of the majority. This is a big deal - and interesting that it comes in the wake of their "pledge". Note that all these polls still have the high republican enthusiasm modeled in. If CW switched to us almost certain to retain both Houses, that very info could dampen their enthusiasm.

(Note this shows us losing PA, where Sestak has had momentum - there is nothing in their average that considers trends. In addition, they have Feingold as losing - which could happen - or when the Senate ends and Feingold is going from county to county as he always does people will remember why they liked him.

[Jennicut]

4. There are racist idiots in every state. I live in Connecticut and even we have

redneck-acting idiots. There is one right down the street from me who is a heavy tea-party supporter. I fully support those in red and purple states trying to move those states to blue. It is not an easy job.

[Bitwit1234]

5. I think this country would not be as mired down in racism

if it were not for the right wing blah masters, like Rush, Drudge, Malkin, Beck and fox. they preach 24/7 about this and people in the south especially, are led to believe that all their so called trials and tribulations are brought about by the black people.

[Clio the Leo]

6. Just like all us racists down here in TN & Al huh?

Sure, Southerners owned slaves and until we couldn't anymore and then enacted Jim Crow laws after that .... but we also got the Civil Rights Bill passed ... we had George Wallace blocking the door to progress ... but we also had Albert Gore Sr, authoring the Medicare Bill.

There are a few of us progressive flowers down here amongst the weeds aren't here? .... Thanks for reminding everyone. ;-)

[COLGATE4]

7. It's just way too easy to stereotype Southerners as all being

at least quasi-racist. And, as is true with all stereotypes, this is wildly inaccurate. There is certainly a significant segment of the American population that in its heart of heart is racist. These sentiments may have been more obvious at certain times during elections in the southern states, as an attenuated by-product of the Civil War but it's just not right, much less accurate to tar an entire state because some of its more vocal citizens hold disagreeable positions.