Barack Obama will definitely be in Portsmouth, Ohio, this thursday evening. The exact place is yet to be set as the final location is still awaiting approval by someone in Chicago. There's a better than 50/50 chance it will be at Shawnee State University though this is not definitive.
This diary will be very short but below I will just say a few words about why this is important. For some backgroundhere is a previous diary and you can also scroll down my diary page for additional diaries on Portsmouth and Southern Ohio.
By coming to Portsmouth Barack Obama is defying the myths and stereotypes that he can't win Appalachian working class voters. Hillary Clinton did very well here in the primary (Bill Clinton came to Portsmouth in the primary)and it has taken a lot of work to build unity and to get the word out in Scioto County. During the primary it was always my view that if Barack came here and met people and people met him, he could break through. And as I have canvased and phoned for Obama these views have been reinforced.
It's no secret this not an easy area for Obama. But in many ways it defies the expectations. Portsmouth is on old Union town that has seen its jobs shipped away and its economic fortunes decline. But there is still a solid base of Union voters. And there is a big demographic that is ready and waiting to hear what Barack has to say.
If my statistics are right, Kerry took Portsmouth in the last election and lost Scioto County by 53-47. I think that we can completely reverse this number.
OK-that's all for now. We've got a lot of work to do to get ready for Barack's visit.