Rednecks for Obama

Strange as it may seem, there actually are Rednecks for Obama, and they have the banner to prove it!

This grassroots movement got its start in Missouri, where two self-proclaimed rednecks Tony Viessman, 74, and Les Spencer, 60 had a banner made to declare their support. They were holding it together when Barack made his campaign stop there in July.

Barack, shown in pictures smiling as he jogs up to the duo to say hello, is obviously delighted at their support.

So why the hullabaloo over these two fellers?

1-Southern states, home of the quintessential redneck, are major battle grounds in the race.

2-Rednecks for Obama goes against long held stereotypes about rednecks

Lots of the battle ground states have a redneck demographic that he's eager to tap into. These banner-totin' hillbillies (are there hills in Missouri?) probably give him hope, because they are a large voting bloc.

From their website rednecks4obama.com, here's their story:

Rednecks for Obama has been around since early 2007! There is an official Rednecks for Obama section in www.barackobama.com, and there are a couple of great websites! (www.rednecksforobama.com) But, Tony Viessman, 74, retired Missouri State Highway Patrol Lieutenant hadn't seen these. He just knew why he, a self-proclaimed "half-redneck", strongly supported Barack Obama. He knew the same old politics of the republican party trying to claim any democrat candidate would "take away your guns". And, he knew the significance of the redneck vote in Missouri. And, he knew how badly this country needs Barack Obama as president. He took action!

After the announcement of a town hall meeting with Barack Obama in Rolla Missouri, Tony Viessman had a "Rednecks for Obama" banner made at the local sign shop, found a friend, Les Spencer, 60, to hold an end, and headed for the auditorium. With "Rednecks for Obama" bumper stickers in hand, they greeted hundreds as they entered the auditorium. Further excited by Obama's answers to difficult questions in that hot auditorium, Tony and Les headed to Union Missouri, Obama's next stop. As they held the banner outside the auditorium, the motorcade came to a complete stop. Barack Obama stepped off the bus and ran over to thank Tony and Les, and to hear their story.

Whichever side of the political fence you're on, this is, at the very least an interesting story about passion in politics. When ordinary people are involved in a race like this, it gives us hope for tomorrow, because, frankly people give a damn.