In Vance’s ‘Hillbilly’ home, his story rings true — but not always his message – msn/WaPost
“Thomas, the mayor, said the message she heard from Vance is that ‘He came from a bad situation and he has become very successful, obviously on his own, without the government propping him up. And so why aren’t we doing that more here?’
“But that kind of leap isn’t possible for many without some aid, especially when economic and natural disasters repeatedly assail the area. ‘We can whine about who was the poorest and who walked the furthest barefoot and all that stuff,’ she said. ‘I get the message, but I also get that you have to have some basic level of support.’ While stressing that she wanted to sound positive and hopeful, Thomas said she wondered if places such as Jackson will still receive Vance’s attention now that he is a national candidate.”