(Kernersville, North Carolina)
Bill Clinton got elected president, in part, because he knew small town, rural American politics. Coming from Hope, Arkansas was a blessing, not a curse. It is precisely why Clinton wowed a crowd of about 2,000 at Robert Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina Sunday night.
One of the keys to understanding the psyche of small town America, is to know that the people want to be heard. They want a voice, too. New York City has a voice; so does Chicago. California has a voice; so does Miami. In American politics, bigger is better, because there are more voters and a larger media microphone.
But rural America can carry considerable weight, if it gathers under a collective voice. Barack Obama gave the Clinton campaign an opening a few weeks back in San Francisco, when he remarked that many rural voters were "bitter" and clung to their "religion and guns." The Clinton's seized the remarks as elitist and appealed to rural voters in Pennsylvania. They are taking the same tact in North Carolina.
Debbie Hollowell is a disabled mother of two. She came to the rally with her 16 year old daughter Bree. They support Clinton, mainly on the issue of health care. But Hollowell's 18 year old son Alex supports Obama. "It makes for interesting dinner conversation," she says with a laugh. "He takes voting very seriously. He wants his voice heard." Hollowell says people in the community did take offense to Obama's rural criticisms. "A lot of people do stand behind their religion here. It is the Bible Belt. But they are smart," she adds, "We are in an economic crisis. We need help. We are paying all kinds of taxes, but it's getting us less benefits." She says religion is an important part of life here all the time, not something people just run too in a crisis. Bottom line, she wants Clinton based on her many years in public service. "I feel like she has the experience to do the job," Hollowell says.
Marshall Nance is a longtime local resident. He and I really hit it off, when we both recalled being at Bill Clinton's inaugural in 1992. It was bitterly cold, but a moment in history you just don't forget. After all, how many people have ever seen a presidential inaugural in person, frozen feet and all. Nance says people were mad about Obama's criticism or rural America, but weeks later Nance is willing to forgive and forget. "I have no comment. None of us are perfect," he says, "Sometimes we say things we don't actually mean." So I ask Nance if he has now forgiven Obama? "Yes," he says, "And if Hillary Clinton does not succeed, I am supporting Mr. Obama."
Bill Clinton knows how to work a crowd like this. There were about 2,000 people in the hot, humid high school gym.
He talked about health care reform, the environment and eliminating the "No Child Left Behind" education program (which got the biggest cheer of the night).
But it was talk of eliminating the federal gas tax for the summer, that may have resonated most. The economy is in a downturn and people are hurting. Now, gas prices near $4.00 a gallon are slapping them in the face. Sen. Hillary Clinton wants the oil companies to pay the gas tax for consumers, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, while Sen. John McCain simply wants the tax suspended during that time. Sen. Barack Obama has accused the both of creating a political stunt, a "shell game" he calls it. Bill Clinton disagrees.
""Hillary knew she would be derided if she offered short term relief from gas prices," the former President said, "She thinks the oil companies ought to share a tiny smidgen of their profits with you."Mr, Clinton says the attacks on his wife are unfair, and he knows the tax cut would have populist appeal. " She just said people are having a hard time, and we ought to help them," he said of his wife, "You won't have anybody calling her a panderer who is having trouble filling up there gas tank."
Sixteen years ago, Bill Clinton won the presidency but telling his staff, "It's the economy stupid!" He meant that more than anything else, voters care about their own pocketbooks and economic well being first. If Hillary Clinton wins Indiana and North Carolina on Tuesday, it may be because her gas tax idea simply appealed to voters, especially in rural areas.
I'll be chasing candidates all day Monday, including an appearance by Republican candidate Sen. John McCain. Check in often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com. Email this blog address to 10 friends, please!
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