In S.C., Beauty Salons Are Also Political Soapboxes

That pessimism that a black man could ever become president is a powerful force, even for Obama supporters such as Gaynell Wise, 51, an accountant who was getting her hair cut the day Champaign came into Passion Slice.

"I'm voting for him. I'm old-school. I know what's going on," she told Champaign. "He's trying to take this country someplace it's never been before. It's going to take a lot for him to win. I know that. I know the system is not set up for him to win. It's going to take a miracle and a lot of prayers for him to win. If you can get us to vote . . ." Most of the salons Champaign visits are frequented by younger women, who polls show have been more likely than their elders to vote for black presidential candidates.

"I came to the campaign because I was tired and angry," she told the customers at Passion Slice. "I was angry because of what was happening with my family and issues with women being abused. I read 'Dreams From My Father' -- and I suggest that you all read it -- and I was blown away," she said as a hairstylist glanced up from her shears. "This man did everything people were telling me I couldn't do. . . . If we don't get your support now, he won't be around to run in November. We need your help. Who in here is supporting Barack Obama?"

Hammond, the salon owner, stopped combing out her own hair, which had been wrapped atop her head, to clap. Three of the four women in the beauty shop raised their hands in support of Obama, and Champaign, whose lilting accent reflects her roots in Charleston's Gullah creole culture, handed them pledge cards.

"I don't follow all the politics the way that I should, but I will be voting for Barack Obama because he will make a good president," Hammond said. "My first time voting was in the last election, and I rounded up everyone in the shop to go vote against President Bush. . . . Now that I know I need to vote in the primary, I'll vote then, too."

The 22-year-old woman shaping Wise's hair into a short, Halle Berry-like 'do admitted that she wasn't registered. Client took beautician to task.

"Young people don't vote," said Wise, who said she had donated a small amount to Obama's campaign online. "Y'all act like y'all don't even live in this country. If they start sending you over there to that war, I bet you'd vote then."

Champaign handed the young hairstylist a registration card.

"It's long days going out there, talking to people where they are," said Champaign, who gave up a scholarship to Georgetown Law School to stay in Charleston and work for Obama. "That's how much I believe," she said.

She handed Hammond a fresh poster of Obama wearing a black smock as an African American barber in Marion, S.C., trimmed his fade. Then she scooted back out into the rain and to two more stops: Diamond Cutz II and Lucciono.

Polling director Jon Cohen contributed to this report.