Wilcox County, Alabama

John McCain is touring through areas with a history of economic and social justice problems (which Republicans traditionally ignore) to portray the presumptive GOP nominee as "not that kind of Republican." He will visit places Republicans actively vote against the interests of and forget about.

Our friends at the country club around the corner point to a stop McCain made in Wilcox County, Alabama as evidence that Compassionate Conservatism 2.0 isn't just a gimmick. (Beta tests show it, apparently, has a few bugs.)

So let's take a look at Wilcox County, population 13,183, according to census data from 2000.

Wilcox County rests inside Alabama's 7th Congressional District, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Artur Davis who was elected to his first term in 2002 with 92 percent of the vote against a Libertarian candidate. Rep. Davis won re-election in 2004 with 75 percent of the vote and twice as many votes as the Republican challenger. He ran unopposed in 2006. Republicans are so scarce in the area that they didn't even field a candidate.

Earlier this week, Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham spelled out how John McCain's swing through the state's "blackbelt" is just more empty Republican rhetoric.

"These Republicans purport to be the champions of the poor in Alabama's Blackbelt but are the very ones who are denying our people with public policy that they deserve. Just recently Sen. McCain voted against the renewal of health care for children in the Blackbelt by his opposition to SCHIPs reauthorization, and Gov. Riley opposes removing the state sales tax on food in the Alabama Legislature at this very moment." said Joe Turnham, Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.

"In the wake of the public disaster of the Bush presidency, 'More of the same McCain' comes here to speak about empowerment to the very people he and the Republicans have continued to wreak havoc upon since 2003. I think Alabamians have heard enough empty rhetoric and would rather not see what would be a virtual third Bush term," exclaimed Turnham.

"Sen. McCain should temper his visit with some reality and honesty about the plight of Alabama's and America's working poor. The George Bush budget deficit, trade deficit, endless war in Iraq and failure to address economic freefall in America should be confronted and repudiated by McCain and Riley in this visit if they want to win the hearts of voters in our state." Turnham stated.

Under the Bush economy that John McCain promises to extend for another four years, Alabama has lost more than 100,000 jobs with 40,000 of them in the manufacturing sector since 2001. Gas prices are up 166 percent in Alabama over the last six years. The New York Times reported that the McCain campaign has "no estimate of how many of America's 47 million uninsured would likely gain coverage under its plan."

Just over a week ago, John McCain had the temerity to say that the economic fears of many Americans are, basically, all in their heads.

But nevermind that. John McCain and the RNC want credit just for showing up.

Comments (7) «

But nevermind that. John McCain and the RNC want credit just for showing up.

That's very insightful, Matt.

McCain isn't offering anything to the Average Joe. His life resolves around lobbyists he travels with and their wealthy special interests.

Wasn't it nice that he dropped by?

1

SandyH on April 24, 2008 at 07:20 PM

Hello Dems

2

WallaceMcH on April 24, 2008 at 07:32 PM

How naive do they think the American public is? I imagine John McCain is joking with the insiders about having to go slumming.

3

virgo on April 24, 2008 at 09:12 PM

virgo,

That's a good one....the McCain Going Slumming Tour.

4

SandyH on April 24, 2008 at 09:35 PM

What is Howard Dean going to do about Rush Limbaugh calling for riots by Americans at the DNC convention? His "Operation Chaos" should be against the law, and AT THE LEAST, his FCC violations inciting a riot, with a plan to blame it on African Americans, should be addressed and Rush fined or removed from American airways. It's a CRIME to incite violence in this country, and I want the DNC to do something about this NOW.

5

Solja on April 25, 2008 at 01:56 AM

John McCain was told by the Bush Administration in the earily days of his presidency,"if John McCain would support him in his polocys he would send Carl Rove to guarentee McCains win in '08. Well here we are with the Republicans with Carl Rove's help running scams on America to beg borrow or steal the election for mcCain.

6

oneforall on April 25, 2008 at 03:32 PM

Did you hear OBama's minister telling that OBama was a two part being! He said he advised OBama on spiritual matters and OBama's manager advised him on political matters. Do we want a man in the WhiteHouse that hates part of the time and plays politics the other part of the time? I have seen blacks that didn't appear to have any hate concerning their ancesrys. Like Vernon Gordan. But I don't believe he has listended to a preacher preach hate and dammed America to hell for 20years.

7

oneforall on April 25, 2008 at 03:42 PM

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