WASHINGTON -- In presidential elections, the crucial farm vote has been reliably Republican. This year might be different.
GOP candidate John McCain's long track record opposing farm subsidies will likely hurt him in the November election, say farmers, lobby groups and academics.
"I don't think you would find too many people in American agriculture and ranching who would agree with Sen. McCain's position on farming issues," said Tom Buis, president of the National Farmers' Union.
Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner, has shown consistent support for issues affecting farmers and has advocated policies that largely appeal to that group, according to farmers and farm groups.
The Illinois senator has done well in farming states throughout the Democratic primary season, and the trend is expected to continue as the primaries wrap up with contests in Montana and South Dakota on Tuesday.
Agricultural topics such as the recently passed farm bill have been prominent in this year's election because of rising food prices and concerns that the new interest in ethanol is partly to blame.
Sen. McCain opposed the $300 billion, five-year farm bill, saying that if he were president, he would have vetoed it just as President Bush did.
More at linkhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB121236914379136639.html?mod=googlenews_wsjIf this is true Obama is going to win in a landslide.