Every election year, one of my biggest pet peeves is the way out-of-state politicians' accents change when stumping in the Magnolia State. The moment they cross the state line, it's as if they've had a stroke or something. Suddenly, they cannot enunciate clearly.
Hillary and Obama have both been to Mississippi this week and both attempted to employ the vernacular to prove that they're "folks" just like you and me. Tonight at a campaign stop in Jackson, Barack kept his classic clip but dropped a few syllables when referring to our state by name: Mis'sippi. Hillary's nasal drawl suddenly resurfaced when addressing a crowd in Canton last week. She even threw in a few country slang words and phrases, bordering on Dr. Phil-isms at one point. I think I squinted and winced during that entire local news segment.
There's nothing wrong with a Southern accent, people. I happen to like mine, and it changes a little based on the situation I'm in. I flatten it out slightly when talking to strangers, but I drawl like Paula Dean when I get mad, sleepy or have a little too much to drink. Whatever the case, I'm supposed to sound like that. I live here.
Whether it's a Republican or a Democrat, I have never liked being talked down to or patronized by people who think they have to lower their standards to get my vote. Besides, I don't want "folks" in the White House, on Capitol Hill or even in the Governor's Mansion. I want rational, intelligent, freedom-loving people (and since none of the candidates comes close, I'm sitting this one out.).
It's an effective strategy, though. Politicians cross a state line, mimic the people, pander to the stereotypes and snag a few votes. It works, and that makes it all the more annoying.
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