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Cameras line up for Rednecks for Obama

Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 7:04 PM
Filed Under:

By David Friedman, msnbc.com photojournalist

Tony Viessman and Les Spencer, both from Rolla, Mo., may need to hire their own press agent before they leave Denver. I passed their position several times today and each time they were being filmed, photographed and interviewed by different people. I couldn’t resist asking Viessman myself – why does he think they’re attracting so much attention?

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Redneck and Racist are not always interchangeable.  And rednecks don’t have to be stupid only unsophisticated.

Former but still sometime redneck, Valdosta, GA (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:34 PM)

right on Mary!!! Let's stop talking like we're stupid and pick someone who can help save us. This world is tragic. Someone who will save our grandkids from a communistic like state. I voted wrong last time and it won't happen again!

DIANE HURD FELTON, DE. (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:37 PM)

I would like to think that most americans are past considering the color of skin to determine who they are going to vote for; however, it appears that in this election the african americans are the ones using the color of skin as a qualification.  Neither on of these candidates are going to save this country on their own, the american people are going to have to buck up and take control of their own destiny instead of leaving it up to "Uncle Sam" to save them.

Phil R. Up (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:38 PM)

You people are taking this too seriously.
so If I was to venture there must be a KKK for
Obama group out-there, you all gonna go ballistic
on me, right? (but there is, their hopeing an
Obama win will help to divide the county physically),
'course we all know that ain't gonna happen
Peace out!

PG (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:40 PM)

I believe it is a safe assumption to say that all of those folks who may question the redneck blood of these two men have most likely never stepped foot into Rollas city limits, Phelps County, or that part of Missouri in general. The term redneck is a widely used expression today. However, I believe it originally referred to farmers only; namely, those farmers who had worked in their fields all day and returned home with a sunburn on their neck. Why do so many Americans refuse to believe that stereotypes are merely stereotypes and not always truth? Not all rednecks hold racist sentiments, just in the same way that not all rednecks have to be farmers these days. I am proud that these Rednecks for Obama have chosen a term that will help relay their message to the communities back home. And, please tell me why two retired, grandfathers would care anything about publicity for their own benefit?

Additionally, Senator Obama stopped his motorcade to visit with these men and other supporters while he traveled through rural Missouri last month with Senator McCaskill. The mainstream media didnt pick-up on the story, but the locals did.

Barack the Vote 2008

Erika, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:41 PM)

There's no way a true redneck would vote for Obama! And it's not just because he's black!!!!! Most rednecks are simple hard working folk, and just don't agree with his way of getting things done you can't reason with the devil (Iran).  And you can't just kill babies.  Go McCain.

Martha Bessemer, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:41 PM)

I am an OLD VIRGINIA REDNECK, and I am voting for Obama, too!  I am tired of the same old same old.  Besides, I really think Barack is more our champion than that rich guy McCain.

Daddio on the Paddio (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:42 PM)

Why do people keep saying Obama is black?

He's half black and half white!

Race doesn't matter, but if you're going to mention it, get it right.

He is not the first black presidential candidate.

He is the first bi-racial candidate.  
So what?

I'm still voting for McCain.

Bubba Bear Humboldt, az (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:42 PM)

Redneck Gal -
You have to earn your turn at the trough.  That's the problem with America today - too many people who think like you - unjustified self-entitlement.

Rick, VA Beach (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:43 PM)

First, yes there are Rednecks in Philadelphia! And second it's not necessarily race..........I'd vote for Colin Powell in an instant.  It's arrogant and nieve inexperience that makes me just shake my head and shout NOBAMA!

Joe Redneck, Philadelphia PA (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:43 PM)

Rednecks for Obama! Hillary, Ted, Nancy, Al,Bill, the DNC looks more like a family reunion of inbreeders.

Bobby (R-MN) (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:44 PM)

This is a very diverse country, and I imagine people from all walks of life support Obama.  There are probably tree huggers that support McCain too.  Why is that so hard to believe?  I find it interesting that some "Rednecks" are offended by this, as though there's something endemic to them about bigotry and ignorance.  Is that something to be proud of?  Rural areas can be enlightened, too.

Jmell, Kirkland, WA (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:46 PM)

If we vote another Republican in (mcSame), then we are doomed as a nation.  There is not one area of this country that Bush and his ilk have not destroyed.  The Republicnas are trying to get rid of the middle class.  Obama is our last hope.  He'll learn on the job like most of our presidents have. He'll lead us on to greatness.  McCain will just be 4 more years of Bush.

Mal Parker, Tucson, Arizona (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:48 PM)

He might be a redneck, but has no clue as to what Obama's stand on guns is. He is on record here in Illinois as wanting to take them away. I wonder what group he wants to get rid of? The lack of experience is what prevents me from voting for him. I can't even find anyone here that can say what he has done for Illinois..and he is supposed to represent me ( I don't think so!).

Bitter Redneck, Makanda, IL (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:48 PM)

OK, let's not make this a race issue. I am a very proud redneck (or mountain person, or hillbilly, depends on which state or area I'm in at the time) and although I have not totally made up my mind, at this moment I am leaning much more toward Obama. It has nothing to do with race, looks, religion, etc. It has to do with who I think will do the best job for this country. I hope the majority of Americans will vote with their heads and pay attention to the issues, not the polotics or party hoopla!

Robin, Northeast, Pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:53 PM)

No real Redneck would will vote for Obama because a true Redneck doesnt believe in gun control and Obama does.  Just one of the many differences between Obama and the working class.

Chris, West Virginia (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:56 PM)

Can anybody out there think of ANY reason to vote for O-ama other than race??????

Roger Mullinix Gordonsville, Tennessee (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:58 PM)

thanks, Obvious.  i'm not a dem or obama supporter, but that needed to be said!

if beverly intended something else, she should have elucidated her point better.  this is why it is still okay to pick on everyday white people, sigh.

--proud southern redneck girl

honey, brunswick, ga (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:03 PM)

Beverly has it right, and she isn't being racist. Rednecks are generally conservative. I consider myself red neck and I'm not voting for the big O.  I would vote for a conservative, proud of America human being whether they are black, hispanic, oriental, female, etc.  I live in Mississippi and I am beyond race (and believe it or not a lot of us here are).  I look at a person's heart, beliefs and actions.

Why would I vote for the O? Someone who wants to raise taxes, believes America is on the decline, would pull a Neville Chamberlin and create more international problems than he solves, wants to continue the entitlement system which doesn't help people overcome being poor or in bad situations but rather perpetuates their condition, and generally associates with negative people who have their own agenda that are destructive to America?

You vote for him if you want.  In fact I encourage everyone to vote and vote for who ever they want to.

But my opinion is that this country needs is a strong, positive leader and the O doesn't fit that bill in my eyes.

Bob, Jackson, MS (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:07 PM)

If Rednecks really stand for hard-working Americans who work long hours often in the hot sun for an honest days wage, then Obama is the right President for you.  (Obama will do more for the middle-class than McCain, bottom line..)

Larry the cable guy (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:11 PM)

Rednecks for Obama?????  NO WAY.  This man is merely a publicity stunt.   No redneck would even considering voting for that man, they are exactly the opposite of what this character Obama is.  What a joke.  Ridiculous

_____________________________________________________

Yes way...They said they were rednecks...not stupid

Speak Truthfully (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:14 PM)

 Do these other folks commenting think that all country people are racist's? It certainly shows how narrow minded some republicans are. The republican party has become for the corporation and wealthy, by the corporation and wealthy. Instead of for the people, by the people the way our true fore fathers intended.  I know quite a few country people all planning on voting for Obama!  The republicans have evolved into the wealthy party everything is for the corporations and special interests, there is nothing conservative about them anymore. Look at our national debt and government spending under Bush - what more proof does one need?  This country boy will vote for Obama-Biden and knows many others that will too... The common folks right now are suffering and suffering alot more then they ever were the very first day that Bush took office - it's not rocket science!

K.Blessing, Tulsa, OK (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:16 PM)

Why does eveyone have to keep calling Obama black? He had a white mother which makes him half white/half black. Why can't we just call him a man???

Laura - redneck from North Carolina (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:20 PM)

If you live simply and are on the lower end of the economic scale, you're silly not to vote for Obama. A vote for anyone else is a vote against your own economic interest.

Anne, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:21 PM)

Rednecks?
Well I think there a new breed of rednecks.
Most rednecks (or even true americans) I know hold dear to
"the right to bear arms" and the right to defend yourself. Not going to get that with Obama.
He is so far left on that matter (firearms) that he is almost right.
Again, must be a new breed.

Jon Doe Rambo (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:23 PM)

It all depends on how you define "Redneck."  If you are talking about simple, down-to-earth, hard working, family oriented folks worried about feeding their family, providing health insurance, taking care of their parents, and giving their kids a better future than Obama is the President for them.  Not all Rednecks are racist.  Obama relates to the working class...that is where his Kansas roots are.

Sherri (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:31 PM)

I find it quite sad that the majority of people translate Redneck to mean Racist. This is another example of the ignorance found across the U.S.

Now for those of you that are so surprised by the slogan "Rednecks for Obama" you should lookup "Blue Dog Democrat". It's nothing new people.

Wade, Boston MA (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:31 PM)

I grew up in a small southern town... I drive a pickup truck...  I love my Guns... I was raised my my grandfather that grew up on a farm...  And I am Voting for Obama.  He is going to do MUCH more for WORKING Americans than McCain will. McCain wants to make the rich richer at the cost of hard working blue collar americans.  Go Obama!

Jason, Tampa Fl. (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:31 PM)

"If Rednecks really stand for hard-working Americans who work long hours often in the hot sun for an honest days wage, then Obama is the right President for you.  (Obama will do more for the middle-class than McCain, bottom line..) "

Not really. The vast majority of so called "upper class" or "wealthy" taxpayers are small buisiness owners. Increasing taxes on them will result in lower income, which they will then pass downhill. Either by increasing what they charge for their goods and services, or terminating employees. Neither of which is particularly benificial for the middle class.

jp in ca (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:34 PM)

I live in Western Kentucky,  on CNN and MSNBC  they say say race is NOT an issue in this election...are they blind or just stupid. The truly OLD LINE REDNECKS (read that New Republicans) will never ever, cross your heart, ever ever, vote for a black man for president.
If Jesus were to give the Sermon on the Mount at the Democratic convention they would complain that he was too Liberal.
I suspect at least a third of the Ky votes for Hillary were ANTI, the Black-guy - votes. They truly BELIEVE Obama is Islamic--they heard it at church no less..  The "N" word is still regularly heard on the streets here, and this town is 40% black.  
The Younger people are much more inclusive,(liberal).
There is hope but it will take a long while in this area.

Roger Perryman Hopkinsville, KY (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:35 PM)

I am a redneck and I will most definitely be voting for Obama.  Go Obama.

G. S. Covington,Ga. (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:36 PM)

Ok.  I have to weigh in on this.  I am from Georgia.  I'm a single mother to three kids, and I'm in Redneck land.  If the rest of the country thinks everybody in the south is racist or illiterate, then you guys need to get your head out of your ass.  Being a redneck is the same as being any blue collar worker in any other state.  They're not all racist pigs, or members of the Klan.  It doesn't matter what color you are, what state you're from, what background you have, or what income bracket you fall into, there's a little bit of redneck in most of us.  Hey, I'm that vote they say Obama can't get - I'm white, I'm a woman, I'm from the south, and I'm for Obama - oh yeah, And I approved this message.

Joli Walraven (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:38 PM)

These guys are just left wing liberals trying to get some attention. Rednecks really stand for hard-working Americans that is why 99.9% of us will not vote for Obama. He wants to put everybody on welfare and have the government be your boss.

Sy Hartman, Beaver, Oklahoma (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:39 PM)

It's not going to be easy for Obama-Biden when they reach the oval office.  It will take a while to start cleaning up the mess made in the past eight years.  Remember, with the team work of all U.S. Americans, we will reap positive results and once again stabilize our economy.  GO OBAMA-BIDEN!!

D. Yarboro, Orlando (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:39 PM)

My Mother's family is from West Virginia, and have lived there since the late 1700s. They were living there when it was still a part of Virginia. They were living in the Southern parts of West Virginia to boot. And yet, for sure, I am voting for Barack Obama. I am half white and half Hispanic, and a senior citizen. How's that for y'all!

Elisa Gonzalez Simms (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:43 PM)

No matter what anyone thinks, no candidate can fix everything but we have to select the lesser of two evils. If we...Non-Racist, Non-Judgemental, Equal rights for all wanting, peace seeking, Middle-class Americans... want any kind of relief then we have no choice ... Obama-Biden are our only hope.  

C.Murphy, SLC, UT (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:46 PM)

"Not really. The vast majority of so called "upper class" or "wealthy" taxpayers are small buisiness owners. Increasing taxes on them will result in lower income, which they will then pass downhill. Either by increasing what they charge for their goods and services, or terminating employees. Neither of which is particularly benificial for the middle class. - jp in ca" - That may be true in some instances, but it is not a huge percent of "small businesses" run by the "wealthy."  If they are considered small businesses, it's because it's family owned and run.  Believe me, the investments owned by one wealthy business owner could feed over a million people for year.  You understand what I'm saying cause you're wealthy, right jp in ca?

D. Yarboro, Orlando (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:48 PM)

LOL @ some of these comments.  No Redneck would vote for Obama?  Because all Rednecks have the same mind, can't think for themselves, and thus never deviate from the stereotype, amirite?

Patsy (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:50 PM)

I'm a white country republican women who busts my ass for a living 6 days a week just to make it by. I don't have a new car or a big home,I pay my bills and keep my family fed. My income makes the poor class, I'm tired of paying for the rich to get richer. Obama gets my vote. Not Bush's clone.

katrina dunton, hartland, maine (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:52 PM)

I have no idea why Obama is even in the running. Forget race the man race for a moment. He is a Junior Senator with 2 years of experience. Hey if you had to chose between 2 mechanics to work on you car. Would you pick one with 2 years of experience or one with 20 years of experience. He is just a real bad choice for the number one seat in the American Government. I still want Fred Thompson for president!

Average Joe, Newport News, VA (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:59 PM)

When I saw this video clip I was not surprised, when I read comments about this like "real rednecks would never vote for Obama" I do not understand. I am from a small town in southern Missouri where farming, drinking beer(maybe a little too much if thats possible), fishing,hunting, and other "redneck" activities take place. The shame of this is that race is an issue in this election when it SHOULD NOT BE, racism makes me sick to my stomach and it has no place in this country among rednecks or anyone else, and it's a shame a term that means good ole' country boy has been associated with racism because of the hate some people still cling onto. My message to racists out there is let your hate go, or it's going to be pretty sad when you will be saying your pledge of allegiance soon to a county with a black president. Go Obama, time for a change.

Country Boy, Southgern Missouri (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:05 PM)

"Rednecks for Obama" is as big a ruse as the rest of the Obama-Abiding campaign! They're probably the same "rednecks" that listen to Rage Against the Machine...or rednecks for Che! This guy's as fake as a three dollar bill, and so's everything about this campaign. I just hope we don't all end up with the hangover when this gen-x party is over!

J P from NC (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:08 PM)

jp in ca

Vast majority, that is a major overstatement.

I would say the vast majority of small businesses are struggling just as hard as the working class. This statement is probably closer to the truth.

jb in ca (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:12 PM)

Hooray for the two "Rednecks"; they are taking their time to actively support the candidate they think is best to become the next President of the United States.  Shame on  "The Obvious, VA", for jumping to the conclusion that Beverly is a racist just because she does not think that "real" Rednecks would vote for Obama.  What a tragedy for America if everyone who does not support Obama is going to be called a racist.  

Al, Canandaigua, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:12 PM)

I am a Muslim and I think OBAMA is too naive, inexperienced, and liberal for the country I live in, which is the USA. McCain might be flawed, but Obama is a typical two-faced liberal and an greenhorn at that. Turning the US into a giant version of Illinois would be a DISASTER and that is the limit of Obama's experience.

Khan (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:14 PM)

I'm Black, and I've lived enough places and dealt with enough people to agree: Redneck does not equal racist.  The larger part of redneck mentality is basically "I'm hard-working, I don't pretend to be sophisticated, I'm more impressed by deeds than words, and my priorities are focused on my God, my family, mytown

Philly (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:22 PM)

Hey Curtis Caffey, Your President Bush seems the definition of a post turtle.  I forgive you the first time for voting for him because "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —President George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

I am picking Obama because the war was/is wrong.  I've been there twice and I know from first hand knowledge.  More Iraqis were/are being killed since we "Freed" them from the evil Saddam Hussein.

We are spending billions a month on the war when we could give every American Healthcare and great jobs with that money.

We are rebuilding a nation that hate Americans when we can't even provide New Orleans residents and other poor neighborhoods decent housing.

We are paying about $4 a gallon to a nation of American haters when millions of home owners are losing their houses.

You don't have to be an economical genius to figure out once we stop spending billions of dollars month in Iraq the economy will be better.

Robert, Denver (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:22 PM)

Patsy, LOL @ your response, all I can say is if the voters are happy with the situation America is in today, than vote for McCain. If you want to get out of the mess that we are in, than you will choose Obama. It's really a No Brainer !!! But, I didn't believe that Bush would win again either.

Angie, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:25 PM)

More than anything, a redneck is defined by his/her love of individual liberty.  To think that any true "redneck" would be willing to give those liberties up to the nanny state that B. Hussein Obama would create is as ludicrous as John Kerry's hunting photo ops in the last election.  The issue has nothing to do with race despite the best efforts of Obama's supporters to make it into a race issue.  The fact that Obama's supporters are mainly urban liberals makes this picture seem newsworthy, however one only has to look at a map of the counties that voted for Kerry to see where the support for the Democratic/Socialist Party lies.  For those that would argue that Obama isn't a socialist elitist take a look at his voting record in the Senate - like the bill he voted for that would ban the sale of firearms within 5 miles of a school!!!!  This would effectively shut down every sporting goods store in the rural United States!!!!  Yep, he knows rural America

Nate Olson, Westby, MT (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:25 PM)

Roger Perryman's comments about Jesus sermon on the mount made me chuckle. I am a senior white woman and  always say to a prejudice person, Quote "wouldn't you be suprised if when you meet your maker on judgement day he is black", unquote. He then may ask you how did you treat my children on earth!

Sandee - Michigan (Sent Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:26 PM)



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