Sunshine for McCain or Obama?

Evergreen, Alabama to Pensacola, Florida

Apparently just after the American civil war, the Panhandle of Florida tried to become part of Alabama. Alabama said no. I can’t imagine this did much for the Panhandle’s ego.

Undaunted, it has spent an optimistic couple of decades trying to convince everyone to call it the Emerald Coast, rather than the Redneck Riviera. But the Redneck Riviera name has stuck – and appropriately so because this end of Florida is full-on red Republican territory.

Like other battleground states, the actual combat zone in Florida is small. The other end of the Sunshine State – down around Miami – is a Democratic stronghold. Half way down towards Miami, the Interstate 4 cuts across the middle of Florida, running from Daytona Beach to Tampa, and this is the real frontline.

Unfortunately for John McCain, the I-4 corridor, with its chaotic demographic and large number of independent voters, has been annihilated by home foreclosures and job losses. Up in the beach resort of Pensacola, where he spent time in the sixties training as a pilot, the Republican vote is in the bag. Elsewhere Barack Obama is edging ahead in the polls in Florida, spending an astonishing $5.3million on TV ads in the last two weeks alone.

Because Florida got eliminated from proceedings in the primaries, for having the audacity to move the date of its vote, the Obama machine in Florida was a slow starter. (Each of Florida’s delegates was eventually allowed half a vote when the Democratic leaders spotted that disenfranchising the state which decided the 2000 election with 537 votes wasn't necessarily the best idea. Hillary Clinton would have picked them up if it had mattered by then. McCain won the GOP primary.)

The slow start has since been resolved. Almost half a million black voters stayed at home at the last election, but are now the target of a massive campaign to get the vote out. The Democrats have registered well over twice as many new voters than the Republicans in this state.

The primary debacle was in line with Florida’s somewhat lively history when it comes to voting. Accusations tend to fly after each election. In 2000, the hanging chads kept the nation on the edge of its seats. In 2004, George Bush pulled further ahead.

Since then, however, the president’s brother, Jeb Bush stood down as the Governor of Florida and gone off to work for Lehman's. Which may have seemed a good idea at the time. He was replaced by another Republican, Charlie Crist, who was an outside shot for the vice-president candidacy at one point.

Both Joe Biden and Sarah Palin are being dispatched to the state this week, indicating that the two sides consider the state vital and ultra-close. You can be pretty sure neither Biden or Palin will be referring to the Redneck Riviera.

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Comments

[Daphne Kenward]

I think all rednecks should show their true colours, and vote blue for a change, after all what did Bush do for you?. Even Rednecks are feeling the aftermath of 8 years of George Bush. The fact is the whole world is getting a taste of what it's like to be unemployed.

Can't afford petrol for your SUV, what's Bush or McCain done for anyone lately?.

Who has been Bankrupting America over 8 years is another question, and more over where was McCain while it was going on? I know they was having parties while America was being blown away.

How much of George Bush's money is going towards the bailout?. Did any Rednecks get bailed out, if the answer is no why vote for a bunch of traitors, who sold out America.
The next question is how did Sept 11th happen, who was really behind it? whose watch did it occur on?.

Who started the illegal war? and why. What did the American people get out of it except more dead bodies. And 6 Trillion extra debts.

Who said 3 months later that the war was over and 7 years later its still going on. Who is paying 10 Billion per month to keeping it going? Think of something 10 Billion a month could do in America for American people, health care? what about, education? how about rebuilding levies, instead of Bridges falling down while people are on their way home from work. These Bridges could be repaired. 10 Billion per month could provide new jobs.
Instead of Banks going Bust they could be investing in America and the American people.

Well that is why I would rather see my government invest in the people and our country.
Could I vote for McCain & Palin, I would have to shake my head and say, they must think I am deaf, dumb, and blind. No chance on earth. I don't care what sleeze they spread against Obama, I would rather take a chance on some one who want to invest in the American people.

War's is something you have if it's necessary, not a first resort. McCain is an old boy, he served in the war in Vietnaham he is 72, at what age does most people retire? Most people I know retire at 65. How sharp do you think any one needs to be to drive a racing car? much more to run the biggest economy in the world, think about it. You need to be as sharp as a knife, McCain says he doen not understand the economy, why is he running?.

Will a McCain & Palin put confidence in Wall Street, or the Global economy, I doubt it.
People around the world will not trust a McCain leadership, he is too old and has no concept of the economy. The most I would expect from McCain is the start of another war and the question is if America is Bankrupt how is McCain planning to pay for his pet project starting wars.

America needs a steady pair of hands, and a sound VP. McCain and Palin frightens the world and the global economy.

[r. burns]

I can only hope Daphne is unable to vote. OTOH, if she takes 30 minutes and does some research she might come around

[Jess]

Honey Child,Daphne,[as we say here in America].You don't need a comment sheet ,you need your own Blog,for sure.I'm much afraid that 'Rednecks' do not think much,so they won't hardly follow your suggestion.In fact Americans are very private ,and feel strongly about their voting,and Their paying of Taxes too,as you Brits may have discovered over the years.
A bit of advice here is,if your enemy ever looks at you the way our President Bush looks at his Enemies,Run,Run, because you haven't much time,to get away.
He may not be at all perfect,but let me assure you ,he is still our leader ,and I am assured he would protect us Yanks with all his Might,if dangers intrude.

[Richard Milne]

I wonder how many Americans have noticed how utterly ludicrous the electoral college system is? Florida for instance has 25 electoral votes, and in any sane system these would be distributed proportionally between the candidates according to their share of the vote, not given in a lump to one or the other.

Had this been the case in 2000, college votes would have been distributed Bush-13, Gore-12, the dispute would have been over 1 vote not 25, Gore would have won and the America would not be in the mess it is in now!