Do Dems need the rural votes

[ACK]

We are not talking about the bubba vote. We are not even really talking about the angry white southern evangelist vote. We don't need it and could not get it back if we wanted to.

I am talking about the rural vote. We are talking the farm vote here people.

Here is a link from the Nation.

Can we win it?

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20031103&s=nichols2

[CMT]

1. yes

and rural voters should be with us as they often have inadequate health insurance and facilities. Rural areas also have a high rate of poverty.

[rucky]

2. Our Platform is for Everybody

Let's go get all the votes we can.

[Padraig18]

3. Yes, we do need them.

:)

[bobbieinok]

4. We need EVERY group, EVERY vote.

Those who argue we can ignore various groups are living in fantasy land.

Living in OK since 89 (and being born and growing up here), the only group I think is probably truly a 'lost cause' is the religious right.

AND we need to campaign in such a way to prevent them from convincing the undecided voter that the democrats are evil, immoral, anti-christian and anti-american.

[IrateCitizen]

5. Is it about getting their vote, or addressing their concerns?

That is the thrust of the argument with regards to the rural vote.

Don't pander to them, don't try to take advantage of them for just their votes. Instead, listen to their concerns and try to come up with meaningful solutions. That way, we're not only certain to get their votes -- but it will happen for the right reasons.

[redqueen]

7. Address problems, not just apply band aids.

You're exactly right. Most politicians will just send them more subsidies, rather than actually work on long-term solutions.

We do need, and can have, their vote. But pandering will not bring them to our side.

[Mattforclark]

6. Yes, but not by increasing farm subsidies

[mbali]

8. Yes, we do.

Edwards addressed that by developing a Rural Agenda, which, among other things: encourage investment in rural communities, use the power of technology to boost rural economies, help rural communities restore support systems, and protect the rural way of life.

Those are some of the ways to attract rural voters. Suggesting they are confederate flag decal-displaying yahoos who are too dumb to realize that Democrats are better for them is not the way to do it.

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/rural-america.asp

[maxanne]

9. oh please

as a rural voter I am totally disgusted with the way rural voters are stereotyped and dismissed as unimportant, on DU, on a daily basis.

Ya'll better hope we don't ride into town on our John Deeres, wearing our Sunday-go-to-meeting Carharts, and totin our shotguns to rise up against your snobbish citified asses.

[Padraig18]

10. LOL!

Good one, maxanne!:P