8/20: The new silent majority

Southern Political Report: Opinion: Tom Baxter: The New Silent Majority

"Last month, writing about the first of two health care reform town meetings I’ve attended, I noted that while those who opposed the current version of health care reform from the right were the loudest and rowdiest, the greater number of those lining up at the microphones to complain about the plan opposed it from the left because it didn’t go far enough.

"This turns out not to have been an isolated incident, but an overriding dynamic of the larger debate over health care reform.

"All the red-faced town hall protesters combined have had nothing like the impact of the Obama Administration’s hint over the past weekend that it might be willing to drop the public option alternative to private insurers in order to get the remainder of its health care package passed this fall."

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Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State employees to see increase in insurance rates

ARKANSAS: Head of RNC visits state to talk about health care

FLORIDA: Approval rating on Obama drops below 50% in state

GEORGIA: Most of the state's counties are considered 'economically distressed'

KENTUCKY: Grant will allow prescription drug task force to expand statewide

LOUISIANA: Federal study shows mercury in fish is widespread

MISSISSIPPI: State schools hit with H1N1 virus

NORTH CAROLINA: State cuts mental health care; 75 lose jobs

SOUTH CAROLINA: Fish in S.C. have high mercury content

TENNESSEE: GOP courts three possible candidates to unseat Reps. Gordon, Davis

VIRGINIA: Gov. Kaine says he may have to cut education, health care, and public safety

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