…but it may not happen in the South. At least, that’s what the McCain campaign is banking on. According to an article in the New York Times (check it out here), the potential for democrats to gain a strong foothold in the South could turn into a reality. If they can harness the votes of unregistered voters, that is. Voters who just happen to be young and black. They’re hoping that having Obama as a candidate will tip the scales toward democrats.

I can’t speak on behalf of the entire region, but let me just say I was shouting “Hallelujah! Finally somebody who hasn’t given up on democratic voters in the South!” It seems so often that democratic candidates do drive-by campaigning in the South. They stop by, give a speech or two in a few states and head for the nearest airport.

There are no statistics that say black democratic southern voters are discouraged. There are no statistics that say they feel their votes are unimportant so they decline to vote from the onset. But the sentiment is widespread, documented or not. And I’m not excusing voters who are unregistered but I am saying that knowing a candidate is actively campaigning for their vote incites people to get registered and get involved.

Democrats are banking on Obama’s appeal to young voters and black voters to turn things around in the South but they’re going to be hard pressed to knock down a republican regime that’s been going strong for over a decade. One thing’s for sure, John McCain is worried. That’s evident from the increased amount of campaigning he’s doing in a region that republican candidates typically bypass. For republican candidates, the South is considered a given. It seems at times that the region is pretty much ignored all around by both parties. But this time things are looking different. This time, the fight for America just might take place in the South, again.

Should republicans be worried? Do democrats stand a chance in the South? Will Democrats rise again? You tell me.

–Ashley

Posted by Ashley Slayton for BET You(th) Vote

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