'Rednecks' Endorse Obama

Two seniors look to bridge a cultural gap

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2008 6:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – Two self-described "rednecks" from the South are on a mission to help elect the nation's first black president. AFP looks at the efforts of the Missouri senior citizens who are defying stereotype with their tounge-in-cheek “Rednecks for Obama” campaign. Their banner drew big crowds at last week's debate, plus a visit from the candidate himself, and their rednecks4obama.com website has attracted 800,000 visitors.

When Obama spotted them from his bus, he got out to shake their hands. “He said, 'This is incredible'," said Les Spencer. Why is he shifting from the GOP? "We need to build the economy from the bottom up, none of this trickle-down business." His partner, Tony Viessman, had comforting words for other avid gun-owners like himself: Barack “ain't gonna take your guns away."

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Barack Obama walks to greet two supporters holding a banner that says "Rednecks for Obama" at a campaign stop in Union, Mo., Wednesday, July 30, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Just because you're white and southern don't mean you have to vote Republican.

- Les Spencer

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'Rednecks' Endorse Obama