State Democratic Party leaders toured the southern coalfields Saturday to boost support for their ticket -- especially presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, who voters here rejected by wide margins in the May primary.
Recent polls in West Virginia show Obama getting closer to GOP candidate Sen. John McCain, and Democratic leaders see coalfield voters as key to any Obama victory.
Charleston Gazette - Sunday, October 19, 2008/DANVILLE, W.Va.: State Democratic Party leaders toured the southern coalfields Saturday to boost support for their ticket-- especially presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, who voters here rejected by wide margins in the May primary.
Recent polls in West Virginia show Obama getting closer to GOP candidate Sen. John McCain, and Democratic leaders see coalfield voters as key to any Obama victory.
Southern West Virginia used to be a reliable stronghold for Democrats in presidential elections.
But in 2004, President Bush beat Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry in Mercer, Raleigh, Wayne and Wyoming counties in the coalfields-- and came close to beating him in other coalfield counties.
Now, President Bush has approval ratings lower than any president since Harry Truman, and Republican candidates are struggling across the nation.
Boone County residents gathered at Lick Creek Park as part of Saturday's "Tour for Change".
"Boone County is ready to vote for Barack Obama," said Sue Ann Zickafoose, chair of the Boone County Democratic Party. "The GOP has nothing new to say to us."
United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts reminded the crowd McCain voted with Presidnet Bush 90 percent of the time.
"He votes against you. He votes against coal miners. He pushes for deregulation of the finance industry," Roberts said.