Obama Intensifies Effort in Appalachia

[babylonsister]

Obama Intensifies Effort in Appalachia
By AMY CHOZICK


CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With national and battleground-state polls giving Barack Obama a healthy lead, his campaign is redoubling efforts in Appalachia, the scene of several primary-season defeats, to see if it can finally win over the region's white, working-class voters.


Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden addresses a campaign rally in downtown Charleston, W. Va., on Friday.

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden on Friday talked about plans to create jobs and cut middle-class taxes, at a rally in Charleston, W.V., his first campaign visit to the Mountain State. "We estimate {the plan} will create 12,000 jobs here in West Virginia alone," Sen. Biden told the crowd of roughly 3,000.

Earlier this month, the Obama campaign began airing its first statewide advertisements in West Virginia, where Republican nominee John McCain has been leading in recent polls. A new TV ad called "Defend," airing throughout Appalachia, where gun rights are a big concern, touts Sen. Obama's pledge to uphold the Second Amendment.

Appalachia includes a wide swath of rural, mostly white, low-income communities stretching into key battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. George W. Bush won the area in 2000 and 2004, and Sen. Hillary Clinton handily beat Sen. Obama there in the primaries. But mounting voter concerns about the economy and the Illinois Democrat's growing lead in many polls are encouraging him to intensify his efforts in the region.

"We wouldn't be investing there if we didn't see a pathway to victory," said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122489199081768515.html

[williesgirl]

1. Hilliary needs to stump there in the next 5 days.

[Arkana]

2. That picture of Joe "Fucking" Biden is awesome.

[Kalyke]

3. Appalachia includes Tennessee.

Yet, outside of the debate, no one has come here.

You know, Ford Jr. only lost Tennessee by 3 percent. If Obama would spend some time here, it's quite possible he could take the state.

[book_worm]

4. Biden got 3000 enthusiastic people in WVA! that's more people than McCain gets many times.

[Smuckies]

5. I like this approach

West Virginia is without a doubt in our reach. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tennessee go our way either come election day.

[INdemo]

6. As Senator Byrd once said..The Democratic candidate needs to campaign

in the heart of coal country..Walk in the coal fields and talk to voters..That will win W.Va