I bumped into these guys outside the Pepsi Center, where the convention is being held:
You have no idea how much I want one of those T-shirts!
It looks like I’m not the only one who feels that way:
“We hunt, fish, drink beer and support Barack Obama,” said Tony Viessman, a 74-year old former Hillary Clinton supporter from Rolla, Mo. He and his buddy Les Spencer co-founded “Rednecks for Obama,” a grassroots organization that announced itself outside the Pepsi Center with a huge “Rednecks for Obama” sign. How big is the organization?
“You’re looking at it,” said Mr. Viessman, who drinks Miller Lite and Bud Lite, drives a GMC pick-up truck (“gray so I can hide in the woods”) and owns about 10 guns.
When a reporter turns to leave, Mr. Viessman reiterates that while he likes Bud and Miller, he doesn’t care if Mr. Obama might not.
“I don’t care about his beer, I care about his intelligence,” he said.
That last statement alone makes more sense than 90% of the punditry I’ve heard on TV this year.
Tony Viessman is officially my new hero.
UPDATE (Aug. 27): Commenter Beth Bextermueller informs me that you can buy “Rednecks for Obama” t-shirts from the group’s Web site, http://rednecks4obama.com/. Thanks, Beth!
This web page is paid for by the Change to Win Committee for the American Dream and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
Comments (2)
Comments posted to CtW Connect are the sole property of the individual posting them, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Change to Win, its affiliated unions, or its leadership.
Those same t shirts are available at:
www.rednecks4obama.com
This is their website dedicated to spreading the Obama message at the grassroots level.
Posted by Beth Bextermueller on August 27, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Hey Jason,
I'm the webmaster of www.rednecks4obama.com and I just wanted to thank you for your support of the cause and the article that you've written.
I was actually wondering if I could have permission to use the top picture from your article for the website, as well as if you have any others of the Rednecks for Obama Team.
You can add an update or email me at rednecks4obama@gmail.com if that is permissible.
Thank you very much for your support!
Chris Whittaker
Webmaster
Posted by Chris Whittaker on August 28, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 at 5:41 PM