I just returned from a trip to Southeastern Kentucky and I was surprised at how important coal still appears to be there. Many cars had pro-coal bumper stickers, with 'If you don't like coal, don't use electricity' particularly popular. Cashiers in convenience stores had 'I support coal' buttons. The state has an official 'Friends of Coal' license plate. A billboard for a lawyer boasted that she was a coal miner's daughter. Supporting coal seems to be a way to show support for their local communities.
One county I made sure to visit was Knott County, Kentucky, where 92% of the registered voters are Democrats, yet Obama received 25% of the vote, 20 points less than in 2008. The county used to be so Democratic that two-thirds voted for McGovern in 1972 and President Reagan didn't even get 30% there in 1984.
So, basically, it's not that everyone in the region is a coal miner, it's just that everyone thinks coal is VERY important since its a big part of their economic and cultural heritage. So an enemy of coal (Obama) isn't just an enemy to coal miners but an enemy to the entire community.
