Why did Obama do better than Kerry in practically every county in the U.S. except those in Appalachia?

He did worse in the deep south because of racism and the fear mongering tactics of the McCain campaign. Don't be ignorant, just because they are one of the poorest areas in the country doesn't mean that they aren't working hard. Most of the workers in rural areas depend on industry to provide jobs such as factories, mills, mines ect. Since all of these plants have been closing or shipped overseas they have no jobs to work hard. I'm sure most of them would love to have an opportunity to work hard again.