The presidential race and Mississippi
It’s no secret that Mississippi — and more specifically East Mississippi — is a Red State. Four years ago, President George W. Bush claimed the state’s 7 Electoral votes with ease.
In East Mississippi, it wasn’t even close. In some communities in Lauderdale County in 2000, Democratic challenger John Kerry failed to get even 10 percent of the vote.
This year, the South continues to be the only region of the country where McCain is leading Obama, according to Gallup polling. In fact, the latest Gallup poll of registered voters for Oct. 20-26, showed Obama enjoying double digit leads over McCain — 57 percent to 35 percent in the East; 54 percent to 38 percent in the Midwest; and 54 percent to 40 percent in the West. But in the South, McCain was still up 51 percent to 43 percent.
Some believe a presidential race cannot be won without the South, an area of the country Obama still does not have control of, according to most polls. In year’s past the main point of focus in the South was Florida. While less conservative in the lower portion of the state, it is still considered, for the most part, right-leaning overall. For this reason, Florida is the southern state Obama’s camp seems honed in on, as it is perhaps the southern state they feel is most plausible to win over.
While it doesn’t appear that Mississippi will “turn blue” anytime soon, there’s no doubt Obama’s popularity will be noticed during Tuesday’s election, even in the most rural parts, and typically most conservative parts, of Mississippi. And while this may increase Obama’s popular vote, it will not do much in the way of actually getting him elected through the Electoral College. Each candidate will be vying for the magical 270 number of the 538 electoral votes come Tuesday, and unless you win the state, you won’t get the votes.
There is someone who does stand to gain, however, by the noticeable liking some Mississippi residents have taken to Obama: former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. Looking to replace U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker in the GOP-stronghold seat formerly occupied by Trent Lott, Musgrove may well benefit the most from increased Democratic support in the state. While most polls still show Wicker in the lead, Musgrove will no doubt be helped by Obama’s popularity and newly registered voters.
Meridian Star Editorial
11/2/8
Magnolia Tribune
