For Obama, Jefferson County represents the heart of the heartland
Posted 6:30 p.m. Mon., April 27 – Jefferson County Executive Chuck Banks and other top local leaders are thrilled — but not surprised — that President Barack Obama has chosen their county for a town hall Wednesday that will mark the president’s first 100 days in office.
Obama recognizes that Jefferson County is an important “bellwether county in a bellwether state,” says state Sen. Ryan McKenna (right), D-Crystal City.
Just like Missouri, Jefferson County, which, according to Banks has a population of 229,000 people, has long been seen as key swing political territory that often reflects the national mood, especially among middle-class voters.
And what it’s also full of are white people or the sons and daughters of white people who were driven out of north St. Louis as it was becoming black. You would think such people would know the time of day when it comes to race. But when they have their racial-political chops tested last year, they go and vote for a black President. So much for white supremacy, back to the drawing board.
My estimation of Metherson County dropped a lot after November.
