Being Illinois is such a big coal state, one can't help but wonder just how downstate Illinois Democrats can be so loyal to a president who's policies are out to destroy what's left of coal mining in Illinois? The Democrats in West Virigina are very unhappy with Obama. A convicted felon sitting in a Texas jail won 41% of the Democrats' voted over Barack Obama Tuesday in the West Viriginia Democratic primary.
"In West Virginia, some are calling it a howl of protest. Others, a blunt message addressed directly to President Barack Obama. Either way, the fact that a convicted felon now serving 17 ½ years in a Texas prison nabbed more than 40% of the vote against President Obama in the Democratic primary has Democrats and others scrambling to explain the outcome.
For Larry Puccio, the state's Democratic Party chairman, the conclusion is obvious. 'A lot of folks here have real frustration with this administration's stance on coal and energy,' he said. 'They are frustrated and they are upset, and they wanted to send Obama a message.'" (Neil King Jr., "West Virginia Vote Was All About Coal," The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire,5/9/12)