Democrats remain behind the eight ball

[Scuba]

From Mike McCabe's "Blue Jean Nation"

http://www.bluejeannation.com/democrats-remain-behind-the-eight-ball/

So far, the Democrats seem content to be the slightly less objectionable alternative. Their strategy largely consists of handing the Republicans plenty of rope and hoping they hang themselves. There are a lot of reasons why that is a questionable strategy. There is one reason in particular why it is actually a recipe for Republicans winning in spite of themselves. Democrats have lost their mojo in rural areas. They used to know how to appeal to rural voters but evidently have forgotten.

...
When the Democrats were at the zenith of their power, they were unapologetic economic populists, starting with FDR’s New Deal for the Depression-ravaged masses in the 1930s and continuing right through the 1960s with LBJ’s War on Poverty and Great Society programs. Shortly thereafter, it started to become fashionable for Democrats to describe themselves as socially liberal but economically and fiscally conservative. In practical terms, that meant being for such things as abortion rights, gay rights, gun control and legalization of marijuana while becoming increasingly friendly to Wall Street and royals of global industry. The party has been in decline ever since.

One important reason for the steady erosion of the Democrats’ fortunes is that being socially liberal but economically elitist is exactly the opposite of what most rural people are. They are more socially conservative than your average Democrat, but are feeling vulnerable and exploited and taken advantage of economically.

It is definitely conceivable the Democrats could remain socially progressive and win over enough rural voters to win back statehouses and gain firm control over Congress, but only if they combine lifestyle liberalism with very assertive economic populism. It is not remotely possible to be socially liberal and economically elitist — as they are now — and make any meaningful political inroads in rural areas. Not even if Republicans keep shooting themselves in the foot.

[Populist_Prole]

1. K&R. There's no reason they can't be both

That is, economically populist and socially liberal. It is possible to chew gum and walk at the same time, but it's no doubt big $$ is skewing them toward keeping the two mutually exclusive.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Bernie is leading the way, demonstrating every day how it's done. Go Bernie!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[tecelote]

6. Yes.

"When the Democrats were at the zenith of their power, they were unapologetic economic populists..."

Who does that remind you of?

Unapologetic and consistent in his beliefs over time.

America needs Bernie.

[Demeter]

13. And soon, if there's any justice, America will DEMAND Bernie

and a whole bunch of Senators and Reps to help him.

[geek tragedy]

3. Another "fuck civil rights" opinion piece by a myopic white populist

not sure what populist policies are supposed to win over anti-choice, anti-immigrant voters who are not big fans of black folks or GLBT Americans. Take money away from cities and give it to Republican voters in Wyoming?

[rpannier]

4. oK

And your solutions to getting back thr governor's mansions, the state legislatures, the senate and house are?
I'm not saying he's completely right
But, I am curious how you would accomplish this goal

[geek tragedy]

7. The best way to achieve all of those is to lose the Presidency.

These things run in cycles.

The man who gave us our victories in 2006 and 2008 was George W. Bush.

[Scuba]

5. You misread it then. It's actually "fuck economic elitism."

[geek tragedy]

9. elitism to rural voters means city people

Just like they consider welfare and black people to be synonyms.

So, what economic policies are going to win over culturally backwards rural areas?

Keeping in mind that they think government programs just help black people in cities.

[Scuba]

11. As a rural voter, I can assure you that you're dead wrong on this.

[geek tragedy]

25. as someone who grew up in a very rural state I can assure you

that it is. It's particularly pronounced in the midwest when one talks about east coast elitists--because then you get a subtle whiff of anti-Semitism thrown in.

it also connotes people who have extensive education.

[A Simple Game]

15. This rural resident takes the straw out of his mouth, spits some tobbacky juice, and says,

"don't believe everything the Republicans want you to believe."

[geek tragedy]

26. how is it that George W Bush was able to convince much of the country

that John Kerry was an elitist?

Because Kerry was from a big east coast city and liberal, who didn't dumb down his public persona.

[A Simple Game]

28. That Kerry fella had nothing to do with it,

I just wanted to have me a nice sit down and a beer with that nice Bush fella.

[FLPanhandle]

8. Dude, I usually love your posts and insights but I think you are reading way too much into this.

I agree with the opinion piece. So many republican voters should be Democrats yet vote against their own self economic interest.

[geek tragedy]

10. They should but won't. Look at states like North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana

and see what kind of Democrats get elected there.

[FLPanhandle]

12. "They should but won't"

To me that is a large block of voters and a huge opportunity.

We don't need to win Montana, we need to peel off enough of the more moderate republicans to lock down the swing states. If we can lock down just Ohio and Florida, then republicans will never sniff the presidency.

[geek tragedy]

27. our base is urban, liberal, multicultural, and heavily pro-choice and GLBT rights

asking a national party to be responsive to that base but also in tune with anti-choice, rural voters who have been taught their entire lives to resent liberal elites and black welfare queens is unrealistic.

the real fight is the suburbs and areas filled with former urbanites.

rightwing populism works a lot more powerfully than leftwing populism would in voters who have been raised as rightwing populists

[Orangepeel]

22. "They vote against their own self economic interest"

Yes, they do.

What is the point of the opinion piece? That if the democrats would just make it more clear that they are voting against their own self economic interest, they won't do it anymore?

[MannyGoldstein]

17. Of course! Any call to end ecomomic elitism is an implicit call

to harm civil rights! That association is as plain as the F-35 on your face!

Why can't people see that like we smart people can?

Did you know that Bernie has a rubber F-35 squeeze toy that he uses in his nightly bath?

Regards,

TWM

[geek tragedy]

24. rural folks view "elitism" as a synonym for urban liberals who believe in civil rights

what they like is rightwing populism, and farm subsidies

[Teamster Jeff]

14. A loser strategy of the republican wing of the democratic party nm

[Scuba]

16. How is economic populism a strategy of the republican wing?

[Teamster Jeff]

21. I meant the loser strategy is what we have been putting up with

Triangulating to the point where economically the Dem brand is blurred right in with the GOP.

[Scuba]

23. Gotcha, thanks.

[Enthusiast]

18. Kicked and recommended! I'm glad someone is putting this to words.

It's like there is an unwritten rule: If the Republicans falter are become dysfunctional the Democratic Party must falter and become equally dysfunctional lest they gain an unfair advantage.

There is no mistake about it, the Democratic Party should be holding almost every available House and Senate seat. But it's like they aren't even trying, or REALLY actually trying.

[jopacaco]

19. As a rural Maine resident, I agree

I have lived in Maine for most of my adult life after growing up in Pittsburgh. Maine used to be a politically reasonable state with a strong independent mindset. Now it is a political crazy town. As I have driven through Central Maine during recent election seasons, I have been amazed at the numbers of Republican signs outside of houses that appear to be barely habitable (sadly the numbers are increasing quickly). Democrats have lost these people who are unemployed and are now in poverty after all of the manufacturing left over the last few decades. These folks hear the GOP talking points on Fox and don't look further. If the Democrats starting working on ways to get these people an opportunity to earn a decent living, they would come back. Social issues are secondary to survival.

[Wounded Bear]

20. K & R...

This should be read, and at least considered.

[Hydra]

29. The economic RWism is good for the bank accounts

But bad for the votes. I think we could win big being the party of the people again.

Some have argued that the social conservatism is keeping them in the GOP. I disagree- I'm in the reddest of the red states, and the opinions on the ground are already to the point of tolerance, moving on to "new normal."

A lot of the GOP people are followers. If we provide strong leadership and give them the future back for their kids, they my whine and moan about it, but they will go with it and be secretly happy to be secure again.