Posted on 08/03/2003 6:06:42 PM PDT by wimpycat
Voters in the heart of this heavily Democratic community struggle to name at least one of the nine Democratic presidential hopefuls competing in the S.C. primary six months from now.
Some were deeply disappointed to learn former Vice President Al Gore is not running.
"You mean he's not a candidate?" asked Jessie James, a 38-year-old recreation hall clerk.
Judging by interviews with two dozen people, voters here don't seem to be paying attention to the contest. Their time is being taken up by more pressing matters -- vacations, preparing children for the opening of school and managing their businesses.
Ida B. Cantey, a 47-year-old furniture store clerk, said it's way too early to focus on a primary that is six months away. But she promised to take a closer look this fall.
"I don't have time to read newspapers or watch television," Cantey said. But, she added, "I will vote."
Right now, U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri is somebody she might support. But, again, that could change.
One thing is certain. She will not vote for President George Bush, a Republican. "All Bush cares about is power, money and awe," Cantey said.
Harry Ratterree, a 56-year-old carpet-tile store owner, accepted the challenge to name all nine Democratic candidates. He got as far as U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
"He's the only one I know, and I thought he was the man from North Carolina, whose name escapes me."
That would be U.S. Sen. John Edwards, a native of Seneca just a few counties to the west.
For those playing along at home, the nine Democrats in the race are Kerry, Edwards, Gephardt, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, U.S. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York.
Abdullah Furgaw, a 54-year-old variety store owner, looked over the list of candidates.
"Hmm," he said, pausing for a moment. "I'm going to be honest with you right now. I don't know any at the moment, and that's the truth. I'll just wait and see what jumps out of the water."
COUNTY IMPORTANT FOR DEMOCRATS
Historically, Fairfield County has voted Democratic. The county's population is 55 percent black, and black voters are the Democrats' most loyal S.C. constituents.
In 2002, Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges carried Fairfield over Republican challenger Mark Sanford, 68 percent to 32 percent. And in the 2000 presidential race, Fairfield voters preferred Gore over Bush, 63 percent to 36 percent.
With African-Americans expected to cast a majority, or a near majority, of votes in South Carolina's 2004 presidential primary, Fairfield will be a key county.
The Democratic presidential candidates have been spending the bulk of their time campaigning in largely black communities from here to Jasper County.
U.S. Rep. John Spratt Jr., a Democrat who represents Fairfield in Congress, has endorsed Gephardt in the primary.
Right now, however, no Democratic candidate has a clear advantage in South Carolina. Lieberman, Gore's vice presidential running mate in 2000, was the only candidate to register in the double digits -- at 13 percent -- when likely voters in the S.C. primary were asked to name who they favored, according to a survey released Friday.
Asked which Democrats come to mind first, a handful of Fairfield voters mentioned Edwards.
"I like Edwards just because he's from South Carolina," said 56-year-old barber Gary Brown, but he doesn't think Edwards -- or any of the Democrats -- has much of a shot at beating Bush in South Carolina.
Gordon MacKinnon, a 50-year-old jeweler and video store owner who named four of the nine candidates, said his favorite is Dean.
"He gets a little bit feisty sometimes," he said. "I think that's good."
MacKinnon would like to see Sharpton make a strong run, too. "He'd drive them all crazy."
'THE ONLY PRESIDENT WE EVER HAD'
Two blocks down the street, at Pauling's Barbershop, most customers didn't have the foggiest idea who was running. But that didn't put a damper on debate.
"I don't bother to know anymore," said 30-year-old barber Dexter Pauling, "because the Republicans are going to cheat and steal and do what they want" -- his assessment of the Florida vote-counting mess in the 2000 presidential election.
His 28-year-old brother and fellow barber, Clarence Pauling III, said Edwards has impressed him the most of the candidates he's seen. "I saw him on TV, and he seemed like a down-to-earth person."
The oldest of the three haircutting brothers, 40-year-old Bernard Pauling, chimed in, "We're all going to get Bush-whacked‘ .‘.‘. the only president we ever had was Bill Clinton."
The few Republican voters in this county remain loyal to Bush and show no inclination to vote in the Democratic primary -- even to create a little mischief.
"I'm pretty much a true Southerner -- a Republican who really doesn't know he's a Republican," said Jimmy Burroughs, a 45-year-old pawnshop owner.
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Just to give you an idea of how CLUELESS many Democrats are, and how much "fire" the nine Democrat candidates are generating among their base. Nobody knows, and nobody cares. It will be interesting to see the turnout percentage in South Carolina when it comes time for the primary.
They quote one person who didn't know Al Gore isn't running for President again, and another one who can't name John Edwards...Edwards, who was born in South Carolina.
Obviously, you've forgotten all about the Dims in Palm Beach County, Florida - they couldn't even distinguish Buchanan from Lieberman. If anything, they've actually regressed from that fine 2000 form.
Still wanna bet? I'll be more than happy to take your money :).
Like, She Who Must Not Be Named in a tanksuit?
I agree with the gag-or-giggle alert. This shows how pathetic the average Socialist voter is; but it also shows how pathetic the sheelpe are.
It's the same kind of thinking that goes into MTVs "Rock the Vote." They get some doped up rock star in front of a camera who says "Democracy only works when we all have a voice."
STFU
I have a message for all the Rock the Voters. If you don't want to take the time to learn the issues stay the hell home, smoke a bong, and watch Friends on election night. I will be happy to make the decisions for you.
I think most rats are rats because their daddy was a rat. The few rats who think they think about the issues really don't think about issues. The word "think" and "feel" are interchangable for them. You often hear Liberals say things like "I feel that President Bush is not listening to the people."
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