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Dems Fight to Retake the South

Party is running the most competitive Dixie campaign in 40 years

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 7, 2008 10:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Democrats are mounting a full-scale assault on Southern congressional seats, the Wall Street Journal reports. By fielding socially moderate candidates, Democrats look like they might do the unthinkable: reverse the “Great Reversal,” the civil rights-era shift of the South from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican one. And a poll this month shows the South preferring a Democratic Congress 44%-40%.

Leading the way are candidates like Bobby Bright, a self-professed “Southern conservative” who looks like he could win in a deep-red southern Alabama district. Bright and his wave of Democrats hope to win on economic issues, which have mushroomed in importance. “Party means less today than it has in my lifetime in Alabama,” said one of Bright’s would-be challengers. “I tell you this: Bobby Bright is going to be the man to beat.”

Barack Obama and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., left, wave during a rally at Nissan Pavilion, Thursday, June 5, 2008 in Bristow, Va.
Barack Obama and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., left, wave during a rally at Nissan Pavilion, Thursday, June 5, 2008 in Bristow, Va.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Montgomery, Ala., Mayor Bobby Bright stands in front of the Dale County Courthouse in Ozark, Ala., to announce his bid to run for a seat in the 2nd Congressional District.
Montgomery, Ala., Mayor Bobby Bright stands in front of the Dale County Courthouse in Ozark, Ala., to announce his bid to run for a seat in the 2nd Congressional District.   (AP Photo/Dothan Eagle, Danny Tindell, File)
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, to discuss his amendment to the defense bill.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, to discuss his amendment to the defense bill.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
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Faith on the campaign trail
New York Times

Obama should look to Virginia for VP
Detroit Free Press

Some Republicans support Bright
Associated Press

 
Congress • Democrat • Alabama • congressional candidates • Election 2008 • congressional seat • Democratic candidates • South • Bobby Bright

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