I naturally have a tiny bit of southern accent. I strive for a more midwestern accent. The only people that I tend to run into that have an unapologetically ridiculous drawl also tend to be dimwits and the types of conservatives who pray at the altar of Glenn Beck and talk about how "fags and niggers need to die."

People can overcome this first impression, but if I hear a thick southern accent I just assume that the person doesn't care if they sound intelligent or not. More often than not these people hang out exclusively with groups of people where this is a badge of honor to sound like a hick.