Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner’s tepid keynote address to the Democratic convention Tuesday night was little noted and will not be long remembered. But it was important in signaling new Democratic political hopes in the South. For decades, following Richard Nixon’s successful “Southern strategy” to win over white Democrats by playing on backlash to the civil rights movement, many national Democrats… return to article
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Reader Comments (1)Page 1 of 1 pagesDemocrats like Warner responded to the southern part of Virginia when the textile and tobacco industries collapsed. They worked with local governments on joint economic development projects and long term planning such as education. Many of the counties in southern Virginia have higher than normal rates of workers who did not go beyond the 8th grade. People are going back to school to get GEDs and high school diplomas. The flip side is when students get associate and bachelor degrees, they jobs aren’t there. The growth sector in places such as Danville, Va. is service jobs. Low wages. Few benefits.
The Republican response was to start a state department of agriculture. George Allen said he would appoint an economic development czar for what is called Soithside during his one term. He couldn’t name that person during his bid for re-election.
Out-of-power conservatives used to complain Danville was a union town, and that kept new industries out. That was silly. You had people who were inept in attracting jobs or who wanted the region to be backward.
Two Democratic candidates walked the Goodyear picket line in Danville. Al Weed and now-Senator Jim Webb. You have conservative union members who are more concerned about God, guns and gays. Wave goodbye to your job, but you’ve got your Smith and Wesson to keep you warm.
Excellent article.
Posted by bernie47 on Sep 4, 2008 at 2:16 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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