Despite Lagging Nationally, SWMO Dem Chairs Stick With Edwards

A majority of Democratic county chairs in Southwest Missouri surveyed support John Edwards for president because of "a bold healthcare plan" and electoral strength in conservative portions of the country, according to a KY3 Political Notebook poll.

Still, the survey of county chairs around the Ozarks found at least 4 chairs solidly behind Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, and considerable debate over whether her nomination would hurt the party down-ballot around the Show-Me State.

The findings come just a little more than three months before Missouri's February 5th primary. But the results mirror similar responses from area Democratic activists last spring.

Seven Democratic county chairs tell the KY3 Political Notebook they support Edwards for president. Others remain undecided, and Greene County chair Craig Hosmer declined to publicly reveal his personal preference.

Overall, the informal survey reveals solid support here for Edwards, who has lagged in national polls behind Clinton and Barack Obama, but still remains competitive in first-in-the-nation Iowa.

"I think he's got the best chance of winning," said Wright County Chair Gary Hall, who backs Edwards. "We've taken a couple straw polls and John Edwards has won all of them. I don't think the country is ready for a woman yet."

"Because of his health care plan, and because he was big enough a person to say he made a mistake on Iraq, I think he's the most qualified," said Dallas County chair Carla Lowe about why she supports the former North Carolina Senator.

Why not Hillary? "I don't think she can win it," Lowe said flatly.

Camden County Chair Rick Pope said he supports Edwards because he's the best fit for "outstate Missouri, rural Missouri."

"He's the only candidate who has contacted rural Missouri chairmen in Missouri. Five months ago his campaign called for support, and he's a good candidate for us across the board. He's the best fit for small towns, having living in rural America himself," said Pope.

Christian County Chair Dick Wilson agrees. "I'd says in Christian County, it's 70% Edwards, 30% Hillary. Electability is an issue. We think Edwards has the better chance of winning," Wilson said.

Stone County chairwoman Betty Kowalewich is another Edwards backer, but former chair Gary Paxton said Edwards' "values and integrity" is the reason so many rural Democrats are lining up behind him. "With all these scandals, John is the closest I've seen in a long time that I think could go unscathed," Paxton said.

Texas County chair Paul Meier, who backs Obama, said a straw poll taken last week, resulted in a tie between Edwards and Clinton with 15 Democrats voting.

The four chairs who back Clinton most often note her "intelligence, experience and toughness" as the reasons why the former First Lady gained their support.

Barry County Chair Nolan McNeil, Dade County Chair Carolyn Head, Hickory County chair Henry Garcia and Polk County Chair Lloyd Hensley all announced their support for Clinton.

"It's like been there, done that for her. She's the most qualified," Hensley said. He is one of the Democratic leaders who believes Clinton's "electability" problem is overblown. "Sure, in Southwest Missouri Edwards would go over better. But I do think people can separate her with other local candidates. Republicans will come out and vote against her, but I think they'll give a local candidate a chance," he said.

Head of Dade County said Hillary won't be hurt by electability problems "if women get off their butts and stick to their guns for her." "We're the majority," Head said, referring to women.

Still, she said undoubtedly some in Dade County won't vote for a woman. "We're just a little drop though. People aren't as educated here as they are in other parts of the country," Head said.

Hosmer of Greene County said he believes the election will be about competence and said Clinton passes that test easily. "She has strong favorables and unfavorables and probably not a lot of persuadables, but she's probably been vetted better than anyone else out there," Hosmer said delicately, without appearing to favor any of the candidates in the field.

Pulaski County Chair Clara Ichord is undecided, but admitted gender will definitely play a role in voters minds. "She's a woman. I know how hard it is to get a woman dog-catcher around here, let alone President of the United States," Ichord said.

While even some chairs who support Clinton acknowledged her problems among men in conservative counties, other Edwards backers were more blunt in their assessment.

"You've got to worry about that (electability)," Pope said. "Some people will just come out because they hate the Clintons so much, with Obama and Edwards, you won't have that."

"It'll be tougher for the party than it would be if it was someone like Edwards," Wilson of Christian County said. "In 2004, if the ticket had been flip-flopped, Edwards would be president today. We have to go with someone who can win red states," Wilson said.