NPR: Keys to the Keystone State

Keys to the Keystone State

Listen to Faye Anderson's audio blog post

Faye Anderson, citizen journalist
The Pennsylvania primary is only a few days away. The road to the Democratic nomination runs through a state that is described as "Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with Alabama in the middle."

There's much love for Barack Obama in the City of Brotherly Love, where 35,000 packed Independence Mall on Friday to hear Obama declare:

"I'm not running to fit in Washington. I'm running to change Washington."

African-Americans, who make up 50 percent of Philadelphia's Democratic primary voters, are expected to vote overwhelmingly for Obama. Elmer Smith a columnist with the Philadelphia Daily News, told me they're not supporting Obama because he's black:

"They're voting for him because they're black. They're voting for themselves. People vote for themselves. There's nothing new about that. It's about identity voting and to be able to relate to people who are like them."

Though Mayor Michael Nutter has endorsed Hillary Clinton, Philadelphia is "signed, sealed and delivered" for Obama. So Clinton is hunting for votes in the surrounding suburbs, Western Pennsylvania and Central Pennsylvania, where Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" reportedly is the most requested song on country music stations in the run-up to the April 22 primary.

With the nation's third oldest population, the highest per capita membership in the National Rifle Association, working-class voters and a black population of 11 percent, Pennsylvania looks like Clinton Country.

While the polls have tightened, they may not tell the whole story. Pennsylvania will be the first primary since the Jeremiah Wright and Bittergate controversies. Obama acknowledged during this past Wednesday's debate that "race is still a factor in our society."

And race matters in Pennsylvania. Gov. Ed Rendell, a Clinton supporter, said:

"You've got conservative whites here, and I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate."

Indeed, demography and a pinch of bitters will determine the election outcome.

5:34 AM ET | 04-20-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Obama's oration skills are often noted but rarely explored for the benefits they will bring to the nation when he is President. Traditionally candidates have spoken from within the realm of the talking heads, sticking to the talking points circling within the realm of political pundits. Obama not only stays above the fray, but speaks to the metanarrative unfolding in respect to our nation and our media. Obama is earnestly providing an avenue for citizens to disengage from media control of our national conversation. Considering his paradigm changing position to the internet and inclusion of citizen thought, his added ability to craft a bridge from where he stands within the storm of circular news cycles to where citizens find themselves in real-time struggle makes him the perfect candidate to transform our nation. We find ourselves at a crossroads which allows us to move forward and command the narrative of the people rather than continue to be led by the whims of media. Barack has proven himself to be the only candidate capable of speaking directly to the people, beyond the filter of talking points. Obamas ability to craft this narrative will profoundly transform our national conversation once we move beyond the election and begin to craft a new direction as a unified people.

Sent by daniel johnson | 9:16 AM ET | 04-20-2008

For a good example of Baracks ability to exist in the metanarrative of our nation rather than the manufactured world of the political/media machine, review the recent ABC debate. You'll notice Barack continually drawing the focus to how the questions originate, how they affect the race, and suggests another way to move forward to achieve progress. Hillary could not extricate herself from the world that Charlie and George were painting to actually share real insight into the people and their concerns.

Sent by daniel johnson | 9:20 AM ET | 04-20-2008

It is very interesting to see how easy it is to orchestrate Democratic defeat this fall; Make sure that the priamary gives the nod to Obama and watch the country stay on the right by voting republican. The Black community is so enamoured with the idea that an African-American has reached the position of getting a nomination that the future of this country is of no importance. We have had eight years of the free spending Republicans, and now we can have another 4 to eight years of more of the same - and for what? for the momentary enjoyment of watching America vote for the wrong person because the alternative is not (as yet) digestable to too many of our fellow Americans. And yet we are told that the Black community is "...not voting for him because he is black, but rather because they are black and can relate to him."... What a circular stupid comment by what seems to be an inteligent individual.

Sent by Samuel R. Friendly | 10:17 AM ET | 04-20-2008

Our media keep the "fires" burning in regards to the Obama/Clinton jabs. Neither candidate has said how they will fund their programs or how they will achieve them. At this point, who really cares who wins in PA? What all voters across the US want to know is how any of the three candidates running for president will solve the problems that effect us all. High gas prices, lack of jobs, companies closing, layoffs, bankruptcies, people losing their homes, (granted many may have bought beyond their means), social security, health care, and immagration reform. The war is probably the least of our worries. When our military come home, will they be able to return to jobs? Can any of the candidates answer or know how these problems will be solved? We do not need more government hand outs, we need common sense solutions to what ailes our great nation.

Sent by Mary Ann Musselwhite | 11:48 AM ET | 04-20-2008

Obama does not have to play the Billary's gotcha game any more. He can ignore it and he can even talk over whoever in the sensationalist press still wants to pander to baser instincts. It is the moment, long overdue, that Barak Obama begins one-on-one run against McCain and to let the American people begin to see and to formulate their important choices. There is nothing more effective that Obama can do RIGHT NOW than to to rock McCain onto his heels RIGHT NOW.

Sent by Gianni Grassi | 11:54 AM ET | 04-20-2008

American people have already begun formulating there choices re McCain vs Obama. Though I be the only one to choose a major personal political allignment, I will not brake at switching this time. Experience does matter to me. Though other factors resonate, the "Oprah In Left Ear" is not quite enough to make me buy the book. Sorry, Hillary (and Bill) just might make it happen but Obama will not.
So, I am switching parties this year it seems.

Sent by Fletcher Trice | 8:27 PM ET | 04-20-2008

'...in the City of Brotherly Love, where 35,000 packed Independence Mall on Friday to hear Obama declare:

"I'm not running to fit in Washington. I'm running to change Washington."'

Now at 57, the only thing I haven't forgotten is to put on my pants before leaving the house, but it seems to me that several presidential candidates have run with the Washington outsider mantle. Pres. Carter came to town without the support of DC insiders and could not get anything done. W was the outsider who brought insiders back to DC and ran the country into the ground but his buddies up to the mansions on the hill.

A president from the outside must know how to work within the system. Must have savvy people around them that know the same. Idealism is a fragile matter when it comes face to face with greed, ambition and fear.

We don't need another Hammer but neither a Pollyanna.

Sent by dativer | 11:23 PM ET | 04-21-2008

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