NASCAR Icon Junior Johnson Endorses Obama

[Fumesucker]

http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/10/27/202647/33/Diary/Nascar-Icon-Junior-Johnson-Endorses-Obama

When I talk to folks about why I support Barack, I just tell it like I see it.

There's been a lot thrown at him this election, and he's stayed calm, positive, and focused. I know a little something about how important it is to stay cool under pressure.

And with all the dangers in our world today, that's the kind of rock-solid leadership our country needs.

These days, I run a small country ham and pork skins business. Barack Obama will fight for a fair economy where small businesses like mine have the freedom to grow, and he'll defend the Second Amendment to protect the hunter's way of life.

[madrchsod]

1. i`ll be dammed....jr is on board!

[Taverner]

2. This is the best part: " he'll defend the Second Amendment to protect the hunter's way of life."

So often Obama gets smeared with lies about him being a gun grabber.

Nothing could be further from the truth

[taterguy]

3. Who's Junior Johnson?

Just wanted to be the first of many to ask that question

[Fumesucker]

5. One of the original old time Nascar racers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Johnson

Robert Glen Johnson, Jr. (born June 28, 1931 in Wilkes County, North Carolina), known as Junior Johnson, was a moonshiner in the rural South who became one of the early superstars of NASCAR in the 1950s and 1960s. He won 50 NASCAR races in his career before retiring in 1966. In the 1970s and 1980s he became a NASCAR racing team owner; he sponsored such NASCAR champions as Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. He now produces a line of fried pork skins and country ham. He is credited with discovering drafting.

Edited to add: Basically you can't get much more good ol' boy than Junior Johnson, it's an interesting sign of the times.

[taterguy]

8. Thanks. I thought he was someone important.

:hide:

[Fumesucker]

9. It depends on what you mean by important..

Culturally I would say it's a big deal, and I think culture counts for a lot when you're dealing with one that can be as toxic as good ol' boys.

If you want to rehabilitate the nascar voters politically, Junior Johnson is an excellent place to start.

Didn't LBJ say something about he would rather have people in his tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in?

Junior Johnson is pissing out.

[Fumesucker]

4. It may not mean much to a lot of people on DU.

But this will sway some nascar dads who might be reconsidering their politics anyway.

[JohnnyRingo]

7. One of my best friends is from Smithfield NC

He's been here in Ohio for about 17 years.
He said he called his elderly mom after the repub convention, and asked her "what she thought". Her reply was "I didn't think much of it at all". In understated NC speak, that means "it sucked". She especially cited Palin, saying "that baby should be home with his mama".

He said it's incredible, but it looks like his parents are voting for Obama.
Johnson could seal the deal.

[Fumesucker]

10. Yep.. Anyone with right wing nascar loving relatives should send this to them.

Junior hits all the right notes.

[ObamanationYes1]

11. Might help with Nascar fans outside of NC, but fans inside of NC

already know that JJ is a lifelong yellowdog. He always strongly supports NC Dems. He was a Hillary supporter and has come over. Maybe he can influence any Hill voters who might not have come over yet (if there really is such a thing).

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

6. "Pride of NASCAR" 5-minute YouTube

For anybody who'd like to know a little more about Junior;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5wPLilNE7A


...and, more on the Obama endorsement, from a racing blog;

http://www.indyweekblogs.com/triangulator/2008/10/27/joining-the-obama-pit-crew-junior-johnson/


...still nothing from any "main street" sources. I was expecting to see something in the Charlotte Observer or Atlanta Constitution today, but nothing yet. (FYI, Hannity's been covering it, though.)