In defense of Pennsylvania
Under fire from smear merchant John Murtha and Hillary supporter-turned-Obama sycophant Ed Rendell, Pennsylvanian Ryan Shafik of the Lincoln Institute comes to the defense of the Keystone State:
Rendell’s Race Card Trashes Pennsylvanians
by Ryan Shafik, Communications Director
Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion ResearchGovernor Ed Rendell’s chances of landing a top position in a future Democratic administration is slowly slipping away as the Hillary Clinton campaign locomotive is being surpassed by the Obama Express. Governor Rendell, hoping to land a top position in DC, endorsed Hillary Clinton shortly after her strong showing in the Nevada caucuses when the polls showed she was likely going capture the Democratic Presidential nomination. However, Rendell’s grand plan seems to be unraveling as Barack Obama’s recent string of victories has resulted in his pulling ahead of Hillary in the delegate count.
Like any desperate animal backed into a corner, and with his national political future in jeopardy, Rendell has gone on the attack. In the process, he has insulted the people of Pennsylvania and injected the race card into a campaign that has already seen its fair share of race baiting politics.
Rendell’s recent statement that “many white conservatives won’t vote for a black candidate” is not only a thinly veiled cynical attempt to galvanize the white vote in Pennsylvania’s upcoming April primary for his candidate, but it is dead wrong. He errantly cites his own recent election as proof that “many conservative whites won’t vote” for a black candidate.
However, what Rendell fails to do is actually look at the county-by-county results of the 2006 gubernatorial election where he soundly dispatched of Lynn Swann by a 20-point margin. If Rendell had bothered to actually look at the election results, he would find that the reason Swann lost was because Lynn Swann got absolutely crushed in the Philadelphia region by 80% to 20% ratio, losing the City of Philadelphia by a 90% – 10% margin. That accounts for about 45% of the total statewide vote.
It was with the mostly white, moderate-to-liberal Philadelphia suburban voters (those supposedly enlightened enough to vote for a black candidate) that Rendell racked up the big margin over Mr. Swann that propelled him to victory. Furthermore, in the most liberal part of the state, the “City of Brotherly Love,” black voters voted 95% against the first black gubernatorial nominee in Pennsylvania of a major party.
When we turn our attention to the more rural, conservative areas of the state; we see that in 2006 not only did those areas vote for a black candidate, but that Rendell’s conservative-whites-that-won’t-vote-for-blacks voted for Lynn Swan in a greater numbers than Rick Santorum. In conservative bastions such as Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry and Adams counties Swann ran well ahead of Republican Rick Santorum. This despite the fact Santorum was better funded, better known and, by the way, white. Overall Lynn Swann ran ahead of Rick Santorum in rural central and Western Pennsylvania, where the state’s most conservative voters live.
It was a horrible year in 2006 for GOP candidates all across the nation, especially in Pennsylvania where numerous GOP office holders were defeated. Any GOP candidate, regardless of color, going up against Ed Rendell and his money machine in the toxic election conditions of 2006 wouldn’t have fared much better. But as the evidence shows, the areas populated by conservative whites voted for Lynn Swann. It was the areas filled with moderate-to-liberal whites and large black populations that voted overwhelmingly against Lynn Swann.
Rendell’s cynical race card ploy was designed to do two things: First, it was a desperate attempt to stop Barack Obama’s momentum and aid his fledging candidate Hillary Clinton in the up coming April 22nd primary. Secondly, Rendell wanted to take a pot shot at the people of Pennsylvania; specifically the central Pennsylvania “T” which voted overwhelmingly against him in 2006, by further propagating a stereotype they are all a bunch of “conservative white” racists who would never vote for a black.
It’s truly sad that the Governor of any state would single out a large share of the electorate that he clearly despises and portray them as intolerant to the rest of the country out of sheer vindictiveness and for raw political gain.
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Trackbacks
- Jules Crittenden » Code Words For Racial Setback
- In defense of Pennsylvania | PoliticsMuch.com
- In defense of Pennsylvania | PoliticsMuch.com
- This ain’t Hell, but you can see it from here » Blog Archive » Murtha on the ropes
- Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck/Racist' But Only The Old People | BigMouthFrog
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Where’s Jeff Foxworthy & Gang on this one?…
You know you’re a redneck when…
John Murtha is your Congressional Rep!
You know you’re a redneck…
When Obama accuses you of clinging to your guns, and your religion, and you vote for him anyway. You’re still a redneck when Obama takes your second amendment away.
I can no longer be shocked at how low liberal politicians will go after watching the current national debacle unfold.
Part of me will continue to be shocked that their games still fool a large portion of the American people, but liberals exhibiting dead-behind-the-eyes ignorance is widespread and on display daily. It is a badge of honor for them, apparently.
When you have 12 congressmen (was cats) in your yard, and you can’t get near enough to pat any of them,
… you might be a redneck.
Obama Regime to take Michigan’s Unionist Labor laws national. And we all know what a great success they’ve been in Michigan.
I live in Murtha’s district & I guess you could say I am a redneck … will be voting for McCain-Palin and Bill Russell
The racist label won’t stick, though, I also voted for Lynn Swann
I wish the people of this country would WAKE UP….
As an Oklahoma Redneck, I am offended by John Murtha’s and Ed Rendell’s culturally insensitive remarks!
They are besmirching the proud Redneck race!
I demand a formal apology, that they resign from office imediately, and that they spend the rest of their lives hanging their heads in shame!
I was wondering how Murtha was going to fair in this election with all of the Haditha cloud hanging over himself. I now suspect he sees himself losing. Seems that John Murtha is not going to go quietly into the night.
Democratic SOP for generations now. The day of moderation and dialogue is well over-if was ever justified in the face of evil.
Some vindictiveness on our part as well as other actions are fully justified as enumerated in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
Stand firm my brothers, stand hard. These too be the times that try men’s souls.
You know you’re a redneck when…
You live in PA and you’re about to vote for McCain/Palin-Bill Russell. Hotdamn!
Oh yes, this would be a good time to support the Russell Brigade. Send Murtha to a nursing home–outside of the US. Bangladesh?
1) Wake up, America!
2) Please Do Your Due Diligence Before Voting
3)
Fast Eddie is a little “nervous” about Obama’s standing in Pennsylvania. He’s written to the Obama campaign and the Clintons to come back to the state soon, and hard.
That sounds good, McCain might benefit from Murtha’s stupid comments and Bill Russell’s surge. If he takes Pennsylvania away, McCain can afford to lose a couple of smaller red states and still win.
Let’s pray the Mac and the Cuda can pull it out.
One bright spot in the Congressional races this year would be if Murtha’s fat ass get’s redeployed over the horizon, back home.
Go Russell go!
You know you’re a redneck if:
You are smarter than half the country – the half that still thinks W is running for president.
Two Communist Revolutionaries?
Thank God there is an antidote.
You might be a Redneck if…
You might be a redneck if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, “One nation, under God.”
You might be a redneck if: You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.
You might be a redneck if: You still say “Christmas” instead of “Winter Festival.”
You might be a redneck if: You bow your head when someone prays.
You might be a redneck if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.
You might be a redneck if: You treat Vietnam vets with great respect, and always have.
You might be a redneck if: You’ve never burned an American flag.
You might be a redneck if: You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
You might be a redneck if: You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
You might be a redneck if: You’d give your last dollar to a friend.
I’m proud to say I’m a Redneck!
I used to live in both eastern and western PA. I was SO hoping Lynn Swann would win the election. However, I had already moved to CA by then.
Ed Rendell reminds me of a mafioso thug.
Hey, if it walks, talks, etc…oh, nevermind.
Whom is fanning the racial flames?
The Obama camp.
The media.
Obama supporters.
Who is not fanning these flames?
The McCain camp
McCain supporters.
Taking the focus off Obama’s extreme views that will ruin the country seems to be the plan nowadays.
Voting or not voting out of some sort of imagined social guilt hardly seems like a wise choice.
If you love a huge and overbearing government led by someone that makes your choices for you, has no experience in leading, and is a wee bit dishonest than the clearly non-redneck guy is your man.
However the guy with the experience who will always put country first happens to have white hair already.
Having white hair (or no hair) seems to be an inevitable trait amongst all people, and seems to be accelerated when one becomes our President!
The MSM is lying to you.
Obama is NOT in the lead.
America is still a center-right nation.
Don’t let the Democratic Socialists steal the election.
I wrote the following due to the apparent blinders being worn by many;
The War on Gratitude
The reason Swann got crushed in Philly is because he played for the Steelers. Football trumps everything.
Ed Rendell is every bit the democratic party boss of old wrapped in a 21st century package. I truly doubt there is anything he would not do for power if he thought he could get away with it. He’s Bill Clinton with fewer scruples.
Evidently, major city police departments are being prepared for McCain/Palin to “steal” the election and the inner-city
riotinghilarity that will ensue, or the inner-city version of exuberant celebration if Obummer wins.2 generations of government schooling and this what you get…kool-aid drinkers. Most don’t know what the Zero stands for, course he’s not real sure himself except for his Marxist views.
“Fat Eddie” Rendell is a lot of things, subtle isn’t one of them.
DJ, as a southwestern PA native now living outside Richmond, Va., I get so disgusted seeing Lardbutt Murtha or Ed Swindell getting national media coverage. Neil Cavuto gushes about Swindell having one of the best fiscally run states in the country. AAARRRGHHHH. My elderly parents live there, and it’s no picnic.
When I graduated from a small PA state collegel, my father gave his wholehearted blessing to my leaving the state, because, as he said, “There’s nothing here.”
Pennsylvania: A great place for babies and old people.
As for those redneck racists, the folks in this area of the state might not have material wealth (the rust belt, you know) but they have commonsense, loyalty and a strong sense of self-reliance. There’s also a church located every half mile in whatever direction you go. These people are the sons and daughters of Polish, Slovak and Italian immigrants. They’ve got a strong work ethic and they still have their religion. You know, bitter clingers.
Accusations of “racism” at every word uttered only fools spineless white liberals. It’s a losing strategy in a general election where white America is still the majority and where most of us do not obsess over black people.
Though police and Obama’s thugs at their finest. We never would have heard of this John Murtha-sycophant Ed Rendell smear if the fairness doctrine were in effect. After talk radio is will be the internet, books, private conversations-anything the thugs can do to stiffle speech. We wouldn’t want to let the details of the gulag get out.
Unconstitutional? That never stopped the Left before. Unfortunately panic gave us the Patriot Act which the Obmanites could use quite well to get rid of any judges who did stand in the way.
Somewhere between jihad and Marxist Revolution we are in deep trouble. Can you imagine a Bill Ayres in charge of the State Security Services?
—
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
There. Fixed it for him.
Sandyb, well said! I spent the first 33 years of my life in SW PA, and am the better for it because of the reasons you cited. Murtha has rubbed elbows with Beltway liberals so long that he no longer recognizes his own constituents. I sent $$$ to Bill Russell and hope he knocks the pants of loudmouth Murtha, who demeans his neighbors, his military and his country with every flap of his forked tongue.
Residents of Pennsylvannia care a lot about what happened on 9/11/2001.
I think they care about this…
What Bill Ayers posted on his blog on September 10, 2008.
…more…
Thanks for sticking up for those of us born here in Pennsylvania, the Keystone State.
I was born in western PA, went to college just across the border, Youngstown State, lived and worked in the deep south for more than 20 years. In all my years in the Florida panhandle and southern Alabama (Mobile, Dothan) I have never seen the race played with such fervor as it has been this election cycle. From that moron from Johnstown, Murtha, to Fast Eddie Rendell, gambling kingpin, the hateful slurs flow as easily from their lips as “walking around money” flows from the wallets of these corrupt democraps. It’s a shame, these professional politicians would destroy this country (if they could) lusting for elected power. They are a disgrace to our great Commonwealth and our great country.
Voted this a.m. for Palin/McCain. I didn’t know Cynthia McKinney was running for president!! When did that happen? What a waste of space on a ballot.
#35
Miss Sunshine through her hat in a while ago. I voted by mail in ballot last week and couldn’t believe how many different party’s there are. Some of the names scared me, can’t imagine what they must believe in.
through = threw
I am confused and somewhat stupid I guess. The people of SW Pennsylvania are not racists. Okay. The people of SW Pennsylvania are not rednecks, at least in the racist linked interpretation of the word. Okay. So what the hell are the people of SW Pennsylvania? They voted Murtha in 17 times. They voted him in after they saw the Abscam tapes on national television with him saying to the briber “I’ll get back to you later”. They voted him in after he called our soldiers cold blooded killers in a press conference. So, just what are the people of SW Pennsylvania???
2010 can’t come soon enough for me to rid our state of this fool.
Potential candidates. Gov. Santorum has a good sound to it, no?
There, that’s better. Gotta go load my gun now.