Latest update: 10/12/2008 

- Barack Obama - Democrats (USA) - John McCain - Republicans (USA) - US election 2008 - USA


'Rednecks for Obama' gear up for the US election campaign
No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.
Since 1956, the state of Missouri has always voted for the man who ended up being president. A group called "Rednecks for Obama" started a campaign in favour of Barack Obama. But is rural America ready to vote for a black president?
By Emmanuel SAINT-MARTIN / Guillaume MEYER (text)

Related links

On the web

Welcome to the state of Missouri. This is quite literally the middle of America. And since 1956, the people here have always voted for the man who ended up being president.

 

Tony Wiesman is the proud owner of several guns. He likes to hunt and fish. This retired policeman calls himself a redneck. With his best friend Les, he started Rednecks for Obama. Their goal is to tell rural america that Obama is OK.

 

But even these two enthusiastic supporters realise that their neighbours may not be ready yet for a black president. Against the odds, Tony and Les have decided to campaign actively for Obama.

 

A few kilometers away, on the legendary Route 66, the Elbow Inn is a well-known stop for bikers. Although many here don’t like to talk politics, most have one thing in common with McCain : they were in the military and fought in a war. Although none of them support Barack Obama, they say it is not because he is black.

 

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(1) Reaction

Obama is just one of the good old boys

by Gator (not verified) - 10/10/2008 - 06:19

We support Obama because he's one of us!
He supports guns, gun shows, hunting, and self defense!
He supports NASCAR racing, off road vehicles, and loud Harleys!!!
He supports beer guzzling, big fat beer guts, and junk foods!!!
He loves country folk music, fiddle playin', and square dancing too!
That good ol' boy that Obama !!! Yee Haw!
Obama enjoys a good cigar, a pack of nonfilter Camels, and some chewing tobacco when he sits out in the front yard on the old couch.
And on Sunday I can just see him and his family pulling up to the Baptist church in the ol' pick up truck with the kids a ridin' in the back. And he'll be cheerin' when the preacher starts a preachin' on the evils of abortion. Amen !!!
He's welcome to come and stay with us anytime on our little place down the end of the dirt road and enjoy some of ma's turnip greens and grits.
Yep, he'd be right at home, sure enough.

Read more
Close