Southerners Shying Away From Romney, Turning to Obama

It's common knowledge that Southern states are always filled with red. But a Reuter's article says some Southern voters are shying away from Romney and getting the Democrat blues.

"Romney's going to help the upper class," said Virginia resident Sheryl Harris, who earns $28,000 a year as activities director of a Lynchburg senior center, Reuters reports. "He doesn't know everyday people, except maybe the person who cleans his house."

Harris voted for George W. Bush twice, and was adamantly against President Obama because she says he's a Muslim.

When forced to choose between Mitt Romney and Obama, Harris said she's supporting the president.

 "At least he wasn't brought up filthy rich," she said.

Romney is reportedly worth $250 million.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that in the Bible Belt, 38 percent of voters said they would not vote for a candidate who is "very wealthy," and 20 percent said they would be less likely to vote for an African-American.

Gallop says that Southerners favor Romney by a 22-point margin, which is the largest shift in any region. Gallop says Obama trails Romney by four percentage points, compared to the seven-point win he had over McCain in 2008. Gallop also reported that Obama lost most ground with Southerners, college students, post graduates and 30-40 year olds.

Reuters said Southern voters do like Romney's stance on gay marriage and abortion. In fact, he received more support on these stances in the South than any other region.

"The gay marriage thing hurts Obama," said Dianna McCullough, a retired factory worker in Virginia. "It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."

In Virginia, polls show both candidates tied. The state's 5.9 percent unemployment rate is below the nation's 8.1 percent, and the article said 35 percent of the electorate is black, Hispanic or Asian.

Romney made an appearance at Liberty University to "seek common ground" with faith-based voters.

 "People of different faiths, like yours and mine ... can meet in service, in shared moral convictions about our nation stemming from a common worldview," Romney said.

Another Reuter's poll asked Virginians if they would ever vote for a Mormon. 35 percent said no.