Southern-based New York Times reporter Adam Nossiter once again went hunting around for racially charged quotes from Alabamans, and bagged his limit, in Tuesday's front-page story from Vernon, Ala, "For South, a Waning Hold on National Politics."
Nossiter argued, with no doubt a little glee, that the South's rejection of Obama spelled the region's political marginalization for years to come:
Fear of the politician with the unusual name and look did not end with last Tuesday's vote in this rural red swatch where buck heads and rifles hang on the wall. This corner of the Deep South still resonates with negative feelings about the race of President-elect Barack Obama.
What may have ended on Election Day, though, is the centrality of the South to national politics. By voting so emphatically for Senator John McCain over Mr. Obama -- supporting him in some areas in even greater numbers than they did President Bush -- voters from Texas to South Carolina and Kentucky may have marginalized their region for some time to come, political experts say.
Later, Nossiter implied that states that went for McCain were clinging to their "Confederate past," and rehashed the stereotype (embraced by the Times) of stupid pro-McCain Southerners one paragraph later:
Along the Atlantic Coast, parts of the "suburban South," notably Virginia and North Carolina, made history last week in breaking from their Confederate past and supporting Mr. Obama. Those states have experienced an influx of better educated and more prosperous voters in recent years, pointing them in a different political direction than states farther west, like Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and Appalachian sections of Kentucky and Tennessee.
Southern counties that voted more heavily Republican this year than in 2004 tended to be poorer, less educated and whiter, a statistical analysis by The New York Times shows. Mr. Obama won in only 44 counties in the Appalachian belt, a stretch of 410 counties that runs from New York to Mississippi. Many of those counties, rural and isolated, have been less exposed to the diversity, educational achievement and economic progress experienced by more prosperous areas.
Nossiter harped on race, as if there could be no other explanation for white Alabamans rejecting Obama's pitch:
And Mr. Obama's race appears to have been the critical deciding factor in pushing ever greater numbers of white Southerners away from the Democrats.
Here in Alabama, where Mr. McCain won 60.4 percent of the vote in his best Southern showing, he had the support of nearly 9 in 10 whites, according to exit polls, a figure comparable to other Southern states. Alabama analysts pointed to the persistence of traditional white Southern attitudes on race as the deciding factor in Mr. McCain's strong margin.
Furthering his image of a backward South, Nossiter dutifully concluded with some ignorant quotes from Alabamans.
Race was a strong subtext in post-election conversations across the socioeconomic spectrum here in Vernon, the small, struggling seat of Lamar County on the Mississippi border.
One white woman said she feared that blacks would now become more "aggressive," while another volunteered that she was bothered by the idea of a black man "over me" in the White House.
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Nossiter
November 14, 2008 - 11:26 ET by NorthCoasterNossiter = Ignorant Elitist Snob
I'll be damned. Now the
November 14, 2008 - 11:30 ET by ConservativeRexI'll be damned. Now the liberals in the MSM won't let anyone have a different point of view without making fun of them or ridiculing them. That's not very inclusive.
P.O.S. NY TIMES AND THEIR ILK
November 14, 2008 - 11:51 ET by MrShySouthern counties that voted more heavily Republican this year than in 2004 tended to be poorer, less educated and whiter, a statistical analysis by The New York Times shows. Mr. Obama won in only 44 counties in the Appalachian belt, a stretch of 410 counties that runs from New York to Mississippi. Many of those counties, rural and isolated, have been less exposed to the diversity, educational achievement and economic progress experienced by more prosperous areas.
I wait with baited breath when one of these pompous liberal schmucks conversely mans up and writes what is even MORE of a reality, like this:
Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and West Coast urban/city counties that voted WAY more heavily Democratic this year than in 2004 tended to be poorer, less educated and blacker/latino'er, a statistical analysis by The New York Times shows. Mr. McCain won in only XX counties out of XXX,XXX counties. Many of those counties, urban and isolated, have been less exposed to the diversity, educational achievement and economic progress experienced by more prosperous areas.
This insufferable, elitist, class/race-defining "journalism" makes me puke.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
I love how those in the
November 14, 2008 - 20:47 ET by SRPwrdI love how those in the South, who respect religion, values, and tradition, are the only intolerant ones. Yet those of us in Coastal States are supposed to be ultra-tolerant. I only see race bashing coming from San Fran around here, must be the weather....
»→ NYT
November 14, 2008 - 11:34 ET by Cool ArrowDid the NYT point the finger at New Jersey for this Cross Burning?
Did I somehow forget New Jersey is now a Southern State?
We call him 'Scrotum-breath Nossiter' down here
November 14, 2008 - 11:37 ET by Mica the MagnificentI moved from New York to South Carolina 8 years ago.
I do not have a confederate past and I am not afraid to have a black man as POTUS.
I didn't want THAT black man as POTUS.
BTW: My sister-in-law lives on Long Island, where I am from. She pays $12,500 year in property taxes. I live in a similar house in S.C. with the same sq. footage and I pay $647 per yr.
I live in a backwards Republican state, and she lives in a progressive lib state.
We aim to keep'er this a way, this a-way, this-a-way, dixieland.
How does blowing up a police station end the Vietnam war? - - A question Chris Cuomo, I'm sure, was about to ask Ayers
He should be a trophy on someones wall
November 14, 2008 - 11:37 ET by expatriotLater, Nossiter implied that states that went for McCain were clinging to their "Confederate past," and rehashed the stereotype (embraced by the Times) of stupid pro-McCain Southerners one paragraph later:
I guess that this idiot is unable to get past the fact that sterotypes go both ways. I am not from the south but I can spot a carpet bagger when I see one.
Here in Alabama, where Mr. McCain won 60.4 percent of the vote in his best Southern showing, he had the support of nearly 9 in 10 whites, according to exit polls, a figure comparable to other Southern states. Alabama analysts pointed to the persistence of traditional white Southern attitudes on race as the deciding factor in Mr. McCain's strong margin.
And didn't Obambi get 9 out of 10 black votes? He misses the point totally and needs to move to a country that he loves. Stop trashing my country.
Adam Nossiter can _____ my
November 14, 2008 - 11:44 ET by R D HelmAdam Nossiter can _____ my southern, lilly-white, libertarian ______.
Please fill in the blanks as you see fit. :-)
BTW-Anybody want to forward a guess as to how long we will have to wait before the NYT sends a reporter into the depths of Harlem to ask black people why they voted in such high numbers for the messiah?
-Dave
Did this country just elect Obama/Biden, or was it Soros/Ayers?
Dave/RD
November 14, 2008 - 11:47 ET by MrShyExactly! I pointed out the same despicable hypocrisy in my post above.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Nasty Nossiter
November 14, 2008 - 11:51 ET by SeashellHe is just a typical liberal reporter looking for a story that will further his career with the NYT and what better way than to insult republicians as being racist and stupid. I'm sure that you could go anywhere in the country and find people that will make remarks like those Nossiter cited, not just southerners.
We rejected Obama for one main reason: we are mostly republicians here. We believe in small govt., pro-life, low taxes, strong military, gun rights, etc. It had nothing to do with the color of his skin.
Nossiter's artical was offensive and hateful. I suggest Mr. Nossiter leave the south if he thinks this is true.
Seashell
November 14, 2008 - 11:55 ET by MrShy"Nossiter's artical was offensive and hateful."
You got it.
Man, I have not been on the boards much here at NB since November 4th, but this article is so riddled with meet-my-liberal-quota journalism garbage, I have hot, hot steam shooting out of my ears and nose.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
I have hot, hot steam
November 14, 2008 - 11:58 ET by SeashellI have hot, hot steam shooting out of my ears and nose.
Imagine how I feel as a proud southerner!
He's right of course, a Confederate past explains the results...
November 14, 2008 - 11:56 ET by Prester John....in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, the Dakotas, Montana, Alaska. Oh wait, you mean those states don't have a Confederate past?
Never mind.
I'm just a racist for not voting Obama?
November 14, 2008 - 12:42 ET by MNotaroOf course everyone who did not vote for Obama is being considered a racist! Maybe I didn't vote for him because he is not qualified.. maybe I didn't vote for him because of his health plan which is going to increase my premiums...maybe I didn't vote for him because he is a elite socialist and wants to tax hard working people and give it to the unemployed! But of course none of that matters to the liberal illuminati? I'm just a racist!
I am sick of my state of
November 14, 2008 - 12:40 ET by suzycreamcheeseI am sick of my state of Alabama being labelled redneck, backwards, and uneducated. It's not true at all. And I suppose blacks the country over who voted for Obama are ivy-league schooled intelligensia.
We voted for McCain because we knew he would be less damaging to the United States than Obama. I guess only time will tell if we were correct.
Hey suzy, I'm sick of CA
November 14, 2008 - 12:45 ET by semolina_filcherHey suzy, I'm sick of CA being branded the state of gays, lesbos and enviro-wackos and feminazis. Wanna trade? I mean there are a lot of reasonable people in this state too. We're not all enviro-wackos (don't get me wrong, I care about the environment, just not in a "religious" way), I care about positive diversity (not the reverse woe-is-me because I'm black or Hispanic).
I love singin "sweet home alabama" from my Army years if that makes you feel better....
You can't fool me
November 14, 2008 - 13:33 ET by iiiireadersemolina - I lived in California for many years and it is the state of gays, lesbos, enviro-wackos and feminazis - as well as hollywood effete and druggies. I left three years ago because I was reasonable and the direction the state was taking was unalterable.
You see, in other places, people just take care of the environment - without having to state their position and what the heck is "positive diversity"? Sounds like crazy California speak to me.
Still living in CA after all
November 14, 2008 - 13:47 ET by semolina_filcherStill living in CA after all these years...positive diversity is the opposite of political correctness that we are frequently subjected to around here in the Bay -SF Areas. I get along fine with blacks, Hispanics, and whites but in their liberal, PC speak, you'd have to think as black, hispanic or otherwise in order to be considered part of a diverse society. Sure the gays, lesbos, feminazis and enviro-wackos are pretty much still the rule but I blame that on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Sierra Club. I also blame RINO Gov. SchwarzenKennedy and all the Democratic lawmakers from this once-proud state.
Not crazy CA speak..just speaking my mind, is all.
Oh, BTW, Obama is not mein fuhrer
The sad thing is
November 14, 2008 - 14:40 ET by iiiireaderThe sad thing is that when I grew up in Santa Monica - the diversity you speak of was just the neighborhood kids - I had friends of all racial, social, and ethnic backgrounds. We didn't know that it was diverse - it was just kids playing. Of course, that was before the Soviet Monica country was created. We were mostly kids in blue collar familes just trying to live the American dream. Back then California was a leader in education and Santa Monica was one of the top districts in California.
California changed too much for me - my moving got both of my daughters to move, too, which was one of the primary reasons I left. I'm glad to see some sane individuals still hanging in there. It seems even crazier from the outside looking in.
Good luck to you - unfortunately, I think you will really need it.
Suzy
November 14, 2008 - 15:26 ET by ricklailA while back I worte a letter to the editor of our local paper about the industry I was seeing in Alabama like the Hyunda plant outside of Montgemery (?) or the new KIA plant going in at the Al/Ga. line on I-85. Then there is the steel manufacter building the plant near Mobile. My point was that Alabama could not longer be looked down upon. It was grabbing industry like crazy while here in NC everything is leaving. I don't feel like that about Alabama. Right now the Tide is making a comeback on the national scene so it looks like all is well, except for Auburn.
YOU CAN KEEP "THE CHANGE" PALIN 2012
Suzy
November 14, 2008 - 17:46 ET by SeashellI am sick of my state of Alabama being labelled redneck, backwards, and uneducated.
I feel the same way about SC. Also, if you go to church and are a republican, you are a member of that "evil" religious right. Good lord! Do democrats not go to church?? (They need to)
»→ Seashell
November 14, 2008 - 17:54 ET by Cool ArrowI like being a redneck.
Cool
November 14, 2008 - 18:28 ET by SeashellWell, between you and me, I'm a little redneck myself. ;-)
Well if the South ever does
November 14, 2008 - 13:25 ET by mrbucketWell if the South ever does decide to rise again, I'll be the first to cross the line and head that way. $625 a year in property tax!? That's... wild!
"Fear of the politician
November 14, 2008 - 14:17 ET by chessplayer"Fear of the politician with the unusual name and look did not end with last Tuesday's vote in this rural red swatch where buck heads and rifles hang on the wall."
Wait. Did`nt The One say that Republicans would play the race card and say that he he looked different from other Presidents? So isn`t saying he looks unusual racist?
I hope they write more stories like this!
November 14, 2008 - 15:04 ET by oorampIf it (the Stories) will keep just one more *damn* yankee in northern loser land, instead of coming here and stinking up the place, it is worth every word.
Yankees are the worst transplants that there is, they talk funny, look ugly, smell bad, loaded with diseases (at least mental ones), have bad attitudes, hard on the eyes, step on toes, and then want to burn the bridge after they cross it.
Do us all a favor and go home and tell'em how bad it is here, how the people are so evil that you almost didn't make it out.
The roads are terrible, they tear-up those jap cars you love so much.
The hunters walk down the streets with their guns over their shoulders dragging today's dinner behind them.
I can't believe why any of them damn yankees would want to live here anyway, and look-out if them yankees bring their sisters with them, you can't get them to come out all winter long, even when it's seventy degrees outside in December. Maybe that's why they are so damn ugly.
Anyway, keep on writing ny slimes, keep the real ignorant people up there with you. long live toyota! yea!!!
remember the republican prosperity 94-06,
as the democrat depression deepings 06-??
I hope that you don't
November 14, 2008 - 15:13 ET by Tim the EnchanterI hope that you don't consider all of us up here in the north who are trapped behind enemy lines as "damn Yankees". BTW, I've read "The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War", and I have to agree with the author's position: the South was correct.
Exemptions are issued on
November 14, 2008 - 16:22 ET by oorampExemptions are issued on a case by case basis.
#1 Bring your own women, (Extras provide bonus points).
#2 Have to have gun and hunting license. (Some exceptions allowed), like purchasing them here, fishing pole and license, extra women, etc.
#3 at least one "American" made car is a must, truck is bonus points, two Chevy trucks is almost an automatic exemption, almost.
#4 MUST SPEAK THE LANGUAGE, no "used guys allowed"
#5 Must have own moonshine and barbeque recipe.
#6 Can not be a member of the government (except military, automatic exemption), old dying media (no exemptions allowed or exceptions), or academia, nor have the desire to be one.
E-mail apps, Depending on where you want permission to become a southerner at one of the address below.
e-mail apps to GOOD OLE BOYS NETWORK @ THE OLD SOUTH . COM attach photos of truck and women. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_South
OR
Love the dixieland@ the deep south.com Attach photos of trucks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_South
Remember the republican prosperity 94-06,
As the democrat depression deepens 06-??
AMERICAN BY BIRTH, SOUTHERN
November 14, 2008 - 15:28 ET by ricklailAMERICAN BY BIRTH, SOUTHERN BY THE GRACE OF GOD!
YOU CAN KEEP "THE CHANGE" PALIN 2012
Southern voters voted
November 14, 2008 - 15:53 ET by TN MomSouthern voters voted against Obama because we're poor, dumb, and racist? Is NYT/Adam Nossiter saying that only those who voted for Obama are rich, educated, and tolerant? Now that is an Elitist statement if I ever heard one!
The NYT loves to play the race card; they just are not willing to accept that millions of voters do not trust/like Obama. The sooner the NYT goes out of business, the better for our country!
This PROUD Southerner voted Country First!!
He just asks the questions
November 14, 2008 - 22:25 ET by TASS71as loaded as possible, so thaqt he can get the answer that he wants. Even if his results came out that "Southerners voted against Obama because of his politics and his liberal viewpoints", he would never report it, nor would the NYT print it. I would have been thrilled to put in a vote for, say, Dr. Alan Keyes, or Col.(ret) Russel Honore, or former Lt. Governor Michael Steele, or Dr. Condaleeza Rice, or former Congressman JC Watts, if any of them had run for the Republican nomination. It's got nothing to do with his skin color, it's his politics that, well frankly, suck. Oh, and by the way, I'm white as the day is long. Hmmm, according to this fool of a reporter, that must make me uneducated, unenlightened, racist, etc., etc., etc., ad endless nauseum...
The NYT
November 14, 2008 - 23:28 ET by CANCON1Cannot be redeemed!
It is over,. They are beyond saving. A joke.