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Crossing Over: As the U.S. Economy Sputters, Working-Class Women Shift to Obama
Wall Street Journal ^ | October 11, 2008 | Jonathan Kaufman

Posted on 10/11/2008 8:04:47 AM PDT by reaganaut1

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Last month, in this once-sturdy auto town of 60,000, two white women sounded off at a union hall when talk turned to politics.

"I feel like a white female or a white male has fewer opportunities than the black man or the black woman because of all the special treatment and special programs they have gotten," said Marla Hightower. "If Obama is elected, what's going to happen?"

"That is just stupid," Ginny McMillin, the head of her local, shot back. "People are saying 'we don't want a black man.' Shame on America for thinking that!"

The exchange was emblematic of the sharp divide among white, working-class female voters -- a key voting bloc that has largely rejected Barack Obama as a presidential candidate. But four weeks and a $700 billion financial-bailout package later, some attitudes are shifting. Sen. Obama is now picking up support from some of the very women who until recently disdained him. As U.S. economic concerns intensify, ranks of blue-collar females are reconsidering everything from Sen. Obama's policies to their comfort level with his race.

Working-class women, generally defined as those in blue-collar and service jobs earning less than $50,000 a year -- comprise almost a quarter of American voters. Sen. Obama trailed Sen. John McCain by 12 points among these women just two weeks ago, but has since closed the gap. According to a Wall Street Journal poll conducted the weekend of Oct. 4, the two senators are now running even, with 45% of such voters giving each candidate the nod. The reversal is one of the main reasons Sen. Obama is gaining ground in swing states like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana -- all of which have large rural and blue-collar populations.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: bluecollarvote; electionpresident; in2008; itstheeconomystupid; obama; womensvote
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To: johncocktoasten
“As Economy sputters, Drive By Media outlets increase layoffs, causing media to support Obama.”

This is a 100% Media election - they think they run the show still and we shall see on Nov 5 if that is true or not. There is no way without the bais of the DNC Media that a man of this character and lack of accomplishments would even be on the ticket. HE IS A MEDIA MADE MAN. When do we get to see who is pulling the strings? IMHO King Maker George Soros is the man behind wanting to remake America and he is not bashful about those goals. He does go underground when it comes to BUYING THE WHITE HOUSE AS HE TRIED UNSUCESSFULLY IN 2004 WITH HIS VIET NAM VETEREN JFK. One would think he would evaluate how great of a deal that turned out to be - spending millions and then loosing. But if you are Soros or a DEM you didn't loose - Rove stole the election by 'fixing' the Diebold machines. GET READY FOR SOME MORE OF THIS CRAP (and this time around maybe some street shenanigans).
21 posted on 10/11/2008 8:35:31 AM PDT by Cheerio
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To: reaganaut1

I think the word Socialism needs to be brought up clearly and repeatedly in conversations about Obama and the results of his potential presidency. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be a push to nationalize not only the health care and financial industries but utilities and certain manufacturing plants. The Chavez wanna bes will also push for nationalization of companies involved in the exploration, development, digging, processing and sale of coal, natural gas, geothermal, oil, shale and other energy related businesses.

It may be hard explaining to people who think the Federal Government has a magic money sack why Socialism is a very bad idea but it needs to be a major talking point of this campaign.


22 posted on 10/11/2008 8:37:26 AM PDT by lastchance (Hug your babies.)
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To: reaganaut1
Working-Class Women Shift to Obama

May they live long lives of brutal servitude paying for the handouts, more free houses and other reparations their new president will be handing out.

If they live long enough they can someday tell their grandchildren what a wonderful place America was before stupid twits like them voted to turn it over to a black socialist so others wouldn't think they were racist.

23 posted on 10/11/2008 8:38:00 AM PDT by Iron Munro (Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself)
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To: reaganaut1

Looking for security. That’s going to be hard to find in a sinking economy.


24 posted on 10/11/2008 8:40:13 AM PDT by popdonnelly (Does Obama know ANYONE who likes America, capitalism, or white people?)
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To: Iron Munro

I’m waiting for someone, anyone, to tell me exactly what makes them think the the O would be better on the economy than Mac. Tell me what O has done that qualifies him to know diddly about economics. This is the question that I keep waiting for MAC to ask in the debates. What does obama know about economics? Zero, Zilch.


25 posted on 10/11/2008 8:42:24 AM PDT by WVNan
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To: reaganaut1
Ever since Murdoch's Obama loving son has taken over the WSJ its become a Obama 527 .
The WSJ front page was liberal but now its over the top.
Its been running nonstop Palin hit pieces for the last two months .
Its a sad joke now.
WE canceled it at my office and told them why .
26 posted on 10/11/2008 8:42:35 AM PDT by ncalburt
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To: reaganaut1

People are attracted to one lie Obama keeps on repeating — that his tax plan will only affect those earning $250,000 and above — the rest will get a tax cut.

Unless McCain can explain IN SIMPLE TERMS,why this policy is a prescription for disaster ( i.e. Wealth redistribution that is not only class warfare but destroys small businesses that actually HIRE most of our workers ), he’s not going to get any traction.

The past week, he keeps harping about Ayers as if people cared about it. THEY DON’T.

IT’s THE ECONOMY AGAIN STUPID.


27 posted on 10/11/2008 8:44:09 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: reaganaut1
If the Republican party can't make the case of what a catastrophe Obama would be, it is beyond ineffective, it constitutes gross negligence.
28 posted on 10/11/2008 8:49:28 AM PDT by Barnacle (Obama is a Liar.)
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To: reaganaut1

This is precisely why Palin needs to connect with women voters on a personal and professional level, talking about her typical day as governor and mother.


29 posted on 10/11/2008 8:56:54 AM PDT by TheThinker (It is the natural tendency of government to gravitate towards tyranny.)
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To: reaganaut1
Working-class women, generally defined as those in blue-collar and service jobs earning less than $50,000 a year -- comprise almost a quarter of American voters. Sen. Obama trailed Sen. John McCain by 12 points among these women just two weeks ago...

All other polls had hussein way ahead in the women's vote and mccain ahead in the men's vote. How could that be if Mccain had a 12 point spread in this sub-group? something doesnt smell right (and it aint just BO's plane).
30 posted on 10/11/2008 9:10:51 AM PDT by Canedawg (I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!)
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To: Tzimisce

Yeah! I heard that B16 say we should all follow him now.


31 posted on 10/11/2008 9:11:57 AM PDT by SaintDismas (Starting to regret the handle I chose for this forum)
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To: reaganaut1

McCain is the last hurrah of the Anglo American. Comes now “Diversity” beyond our wildest nightmares.


32 posted on 10/11/2008 9:40:26 AM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: itsthejourney

I agree I haven’t seen that yet among any of the union white working class here in this area of Ohio.


33 posted on 10/11/2008 9:53:45 AM PDT by chris_bdba
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To: reaganaut1

I guess they are going for that tax cut promised to 95% of Americans. What will that tax cut be worth with inflation at 20%?


34 posted on 10/11/2008 10:00:53 AM PDT by Mike Darancette (Nyet-Bama)
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To: Tzimisce
Next come the media reports of KKK members endorsing Obama...

No, the report will be that the KKK members are the only ones NOT voting for BO.

35 posted on 10/11/2008 10:03:00 AM PDT by Mike Darancette (Nyet-Bama)
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To: reaganaut1

Eeyore bump


36 posted on 10/11/2008 10:05:55 AM PDT by Lexinom
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To: reaganaut1

I find it hard to understand how these “crossover’s” don’t remember the economy was in excellent shape until the Democrats took over the House and Senate. Imagine if they get the White House too? They’ll want to “crossover.”


37 posted on 10/11/2008 11:08:36 AM PDT by beethoven
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To: Tzimisce

“Next come the media reports of KKK members endorsing Obama...”

Well, Robert Byrd is a democrat.


38 posted on 10/11/2008 11:18:51 AM PDT by A Strict Constructionist (Can we be redeemed from "Tobacco Road" or the "Road to Surfdom"?)
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To: A Strict Constructionist
This is so much hog wash, I wish the main stream media people were required to take a lie detector test before they can offer an article for dissemination
39 posted on 10/11/2008 11:28:06 AM PDT by BooBoo1000 (Some times I wake up grumpy, other times I let her sleep/)
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To: BooBoo1000

That is a sure way to end the MSM. Maybe we should tie lie detectors to a licensing scheme for reporters. Sort of like the background check for concealed carry they all love.


40 posted on 10/11/2008 12:18:12 PM PDT by A Strict Constructionist (Can we avoid"Tobacco Road" on the "Road to Surfdom"?)
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