This happens after virtually every election. The losers wonder why they lost, and they often do not come up with the proper reasons nor proposed actions. Trump thumped Hillary, and Democrats have been blowing it at the federal, state, and local levels. Nancy Pelosi and her cadre of old, mostly white coastal liberal elites refuse to acknowledge the reasons they lost, and are mostly making excuses. Russian influence seems to be their favorite, though, it’s highly doubtful that the people in the areas Democrats refer to as “flyover country”, which is an ugly term the way they use it (they also go with Jesusland and Dumbfuckistan), gave a damn about the Russians.
The Washington Post’s Dan Balz provides a great breakdown of the numbers in those Northern working class, suburban and rural areas that broke for Trump, worth the read, before diving into a discussion of what Dems need to do
Democrats search for a path back into rural America’s good graces
….
Democrats have sometimes assumed that they don’t need to do much to appeal to voters in these communities, assuming that they represent a shrinking portion of the electorate. Today they are wondering how they can appeal to them more effectively.
To some degree, yes. But, mostly because Democrats sneer at these people. They dismiss them. They call them names. But, they attended a symposium featuring Katherine Cramer, who spent a lot of time traveling throughout Wisconsin, and especially the small town areas, to write a book about how Scott Walker rose to power.
Not surprisingly, Cramer has been in high demand as journalists and others seek to better understand Trump’s success in appealing to voters in these parts of the country. During her presentation Friday, she was asked what Democrats could do to reach these voters. As the questioner put it: What could the Democrats do to speak to these voters more directly?
“I would say it’s not speaking to people,†she said. If Democrats want to do better with these voters, she said, it would require spending time with them and asking them what’s on their minds and then listening to their answers. Only then can they try to deliver a message. “There’s so much respect that has to be conveyed to people before they start listening to the message,†Cramer added.
Hillary blew off talking to these people. She preferred to talk to big money donors, mostly. Give Obama credit, he’s a great campaigner, and he traveled everywhere, talking to people not just in the big cities, but small communities as well. In between the big money fundraisers. Democrats mostly do not seem to care to listen. They despise these rural folks.
When another person asked why some people seem to vote against their own interests, Cramer again turned the question around. “I’m not claiming people are voting against their own interest,†she said. “We have to be careful about how we define what people’s interests are. . . . The trick is to think about what policies can you offer that people in those positions perceive as in their own interest.â€
That’s a bigger smackdown from Cramer than it seems. Democrats think they Know Better than everyone else, so, if you aren’t voting Dem, well, you’re stupid and voting against you’re own interests. Dems do not listen, they lecture. They trot out all their Social Justice insanity, and economic policies that empower Government and hurt the small people and businesses. They want to increase taxes and the cost of living through various polices, such as their ‘climate change’ schtick. They want to make sure the transgenders can go into bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers with people’s daughters. They want to force nationalized healthcare on people. Think the folks in rurual/suburban America think those policies and beliefs are in their best interest?
For the Democrats, it’s a bigger challenge of trying to gain back a share of those voters, in part because they represented the margin of defeat in 2016. The party historically has stood for working people but has seen that connection eroded, if not shattered. As Cramer suggested, there will be no quick fixes for the Democrats on that question.
The Dems are the party of the coastal elites. The areas where the party big wigs make oodles of money while everyone else seems to suffer in economic despair and crime. Areas where they attempt to limit Constitutional Rights. And who have nothing but derision for anyone who doesn’t believe exactly the same. A few Democrats have stood up for change, such as Joe Manchin and Tim Ryan, but, the majority back the Party of Pelosi and Chuck Schumer.
Crossed at Right Wing News.
Washington elitism, both Republican and Democratic, has devastated the working classes, both rural and urban. The answers revolve around jobs that pay living wages.
For rural Americans, small farming is all but gone, manufacturing jobs that enabled high school grads to climb into the middle class are drying up. Neither are coming back because of increases in efficiencies and productivity. It’s cheaper for corporations to manufacture overseas and ship back to the US. It’s a new world and you either adjust or get left behind.
Rural Americans have been left behind. Rural Americans are finding more and more difficult to compete in the modern world. Their leaders blame immigrants, Blacks, liberals etc. But much like certain urban communities, part of the reason is their own fault. Staying insulated from the world, eschewing higher education, being anti-science… complaining that the coastal elites are stealing your lunch money aren’t solutions.
The conceit is that the gap between rural and urban is strictly economic, but it’s not. The gap is largely cultural. Let’s be honest, religious fundamentalism is largely incompatible with economic progress in the modern world. If a rural Missourian votes for a Republican because the candidate will ban abortions there is little appeal for any economic message.
Policies orchestrated by both Republicans and Democrats have directly and indirectly devastated the working classes. Our tax codes, labor policies, immigration policies, fiacal and monetary policies, regulatory and financial environments ALL favor America’s wealthy at the expense of the working classes.
So rather than pander to rural whites religious and cultural issues, Democrats need to continue to stand for economic justice for all Americans, not just the wealthy in cities.
#BestElectionEver
There it is. The kind of bigoted, hateful elitist attitude that cost you assholes the last election. We love ya. Keep up the good work.
Truth is nobody “eschews” higher education they are just smarter than coastal leftists who think a degree in African dance is worth 250 grand then cry when they pick up a lowly hairdresser in their Uber. But, but, but the hairdresser actually has a marketable skill. And you’re gonna need to explain how people close to the earth who farm and raise animals are “anti-science”. They rely on science and weather to live.
A judge just tossed the recount here in Pennsylvania. Seems the coup d’etat is not going according to plan by the Ameriphobes. It was probably planned by the same idiots who planned Stinky’s campaign that told her by calling half of America a “basket of deplorables” she would win. Hahahahaha.
Stinky is going down in history as the first woman to ever lose the same election four times now. With the fake news about Russian hacking perhaps a fifth time is in the wing. Stinky, buh-bye!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j9Y257eXi3s/WEF_oAmRuqI/AAAAAAABg2Q/mJJqLU3p5l8/hillary%252520clown_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800
Just a thought-maybe not focus on letting “men” into women’s bathrooms, calling everyone you disagree with a racist (or the new flavor of the season “white supremacist) or letting illegals into the country to take American jobs with no consequences. These tend not to be very high on any sane person’s list of what’s important
Tuesday morning links
Millennials Spurn the Food That Will Feed the Future Feeling bad about being in the wrong job High on Hitler and Meth: Book Says Nazis Were Fueled by Drugs Tremble, ye patriarchs. This lady means business. "At this late date, anyone who fa
Many rural whites (and many urbanites too) have been left behind, unable to compete in the global economy. Faux populist, and genuine globalist, Vladimir Trumpski, promised them a new economic pax americana, writ small. He has a couple of years to deliver.
The devastating impact of the new world economy on rural America is not only a natural outgrowth from other nations’ competitiveness but also stems from Republican and Democratic policies that reward America’s political donor class (our oligarchs and plutocrats) at the expense of our working classes. Our Republican and Democratic elites watched as post 2007 unemployment soared, harming millions of American families in Marshfield MO, Tiffen OH, Murphysboro IL, Allentown PA, Kenosha WI and on and on.
Vlad Trumpski made rural whites feel better about their plight by legitimizing that 11 million “illegal” Mexicans, and “giveaways”/”preferences” for Blacks, are the causes of the economic malaise in “real” America. He skillfully moved the blame from the 0.1% to the 3% (“illegals”).
Will cutting the taxes on the 1% and corporations help rural America? Will cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits help? Will deporting 11 million men, women and children help? Will The Wall help?
Vlad did propose a $1 trillion economic stimulus plan that could help, but will the Teapublicans in the House support that? LOL.
Maybe globalists Vlad Trumpski and first
ladydaughter Ivanka can move their manufacturing from China and Bangladesh to PA, OH, MI, MO, AR, GA or AL?Why don’t they lead by example? Why should we trust them if they refuse to do what they insist others do?
Shouldn’t they be
driving Priusmanufacturing their goods in the US?How many millions of tax dollars would Pence have to give to the Trumpski’s to get them to move their manufacturing operations to Anderson IN?
Maybe globalists Vlad Trumpski and first lady daughter Ivanka can move their manufacturing from China and Bangladesh to PA, OH, MI, MO, AR, GA or AL?
As always Jeffery your unhinged rants are now filled with lies distortions and untruths.
According to Trumps SEC financial Disclosure Report.
For the Record.
Canada
USA
Bermuda,
St. Marten
Burmuda
Panama
Brazil
Uruguay
Argentina
Ireland
England
Turkey
Qatar
UEA
Saudia Arabia
Azerbaijan
India
China
South Korea
Philippines
Indonesia.
Not one manufacturing Job. Not one American job moved overseas. These are Trump Plaza’s built in foreign countries much as many Hotel chains have built Hotels around the world.
Will cutting the taxes on the 1% and corporations help rural America? Will cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits help? Will deporting 11 million men, women and children help? Will The Wall help?
The president makes no laws….Any tax relief will have to come from congress. SSI and Medicare will see no cuts….Unless every Republican in office wants to be unemployed in 2 years and them all gone in 6.
As for deporting 11 million people. Its not gonna happen….it was never gonna happen and it never will happen…..If Trump were to try that he would need funding from the house which Ryan has said its not gonna happen.
As for deporting Illegal criminals…..OBAMA has DEPORTED MORE ILLEGALS THEN BUSH BEFORE HIM….3 million to be exact compared to a little over 1 million for bush.
We might actually get a comprehensive immigration bill that both parties can sign off on. As for Sanctuary cities well Im sure the Residents of a few key states will be glad to see their taxes sky rocket when the Federal government cuts funding to those states for hiding Felonious Illegals from ICE. The citizens of those states will really love their state politicians when millions of illegals flood into those states and cities desperate to avoid the hysteria of mass deportation.
As for a wall…..Paul Ryan cannot even bring himself to say WALL…its secure the border…which Im okay with…..Thats not even necessary if proper documentation by ALL AMERICAN citizens is needed to get a job, vote, get an ID….Heavily tax western union and paypal for any monies sent overseas to whomever….even if its a business……etc…etc…etc….
In fact I have heard many political pundits talking about the fear of Sanctuary cities is that millions of illegals that vote now in other states will flood to those cities further crimping the BLUE FIREWALL that the Democrats have carefully built for themselves.
States like Colorado, and New Mexico and Nevada might actually turn red again according to the pundits…..The number one destination of illegals is California Followed closely by Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico…..fearing they will be deported these illegals which we all know they vote……might flee these states turning them red again.
Once again the Democrats are obsessed with Social issues to the point of becoming not only irrational but willing to break the law to enforce their agenda……..This is not sitting well with people with no jobs, no hope and no way out.
Laim,
We probably agree on more than we disagree. But don’t forget that Trump will sign the massive tax cuts and cuts to Social Security and Medicare passed down from the Teapublicans. Tax cuts for the wealthy/corporations and “saving” Social Security by cutting benefits is their raison d’etre.
Of course most of Trump’s campaign lies will not be enacted.
” Many rural whites….”. As usual you begin with a racist view of the topic, in this case employment. Then you go full speed ahead in your racist, bigoted rant:
I love that “whites” alone aren’t good enough, now you need to break it down further to “rural whites”. How about urban whites and suburban whites? Your bigotry knows no bounds.
So are you saying that 11 million illegals working in the U.S., using our education, government and medical resources and adding to crime are not part of the cause? And if there are “giveaways”/”preferences” for anyone don’t they come from the people paying for the giveaways and being excluded from the preferences?
Your party is stuck in the past. Your ideas are old, worn and proved wrong. Your inability to produce any new ideas that don’t reflect hatred and envy stink.
Liam,
You’ve overlooked Vlad and Ivanka’s retail merchandise:
http://www.trump.com/merchandise/
http://www.stylight.com/search.action?brand=836367&tag=10203&campaignId=14206&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=adcenter+us&utm_campaign=14206&ef_id=WE98hQAAAL8IHTbD:20161213143541:s
http://www.stylight.com/search.action?brand=836367&tag=10580&q=ivanka%20trump%20shoes
Do you really think their furniture, jewelry, neckties, suits, wallets, cufflinks, clothing, shoes, perfumes, handbags, lamps, eyewear and comforters are made in the US?
Shouldn’t these all be manufactured in the US? Trump is a billionaire – why not open factories here?
Rev Stinky,
Since most metro areas favored Clinton and all rural areas favored Trump, is why. And wasn’t Teach’s article about Democrats trying to once again get the votes of rural whites??
If you’re interested in helping rural whites pull themselves up you should favor the policies of Senator Sanders. If you want more of the same, if not worse, Trumpski is your man.
Ivanka Trump does not manufacture anything….She owns no plants. No manufacturing facilities….
Jeffery your party is full of globalists…..your either all in on globalization or your not….
Globalization takes jobs from Americans and gives it to the lowest bidder…..So now the Democrats have turned to fast food and are forcing 7-11’s and restaurants to pay crazy wages to a high school kid who has now been replaced by a displaced adult.
BUT NOW….those displaced adults are being replaced too……Have you not noticed that at restaurants you now swipe your card at the table and the cashier does not even take your payment…..you can print out your receipt at the table….No worker involved…..Restaurants are installing automatic dishwashers…..McDonalds is experimenting with digital ordering……..Pizza places that deliver now offer ONLINE ordering….which reduces your cost per pizza….if you call in then the price of your pizza is about 20 percent higher because humans with higher wages are involved.
in short the very thing that SANDERS and company claim will save America is going to further erode jobs…..
Restaurants simply cannot pay 15 dollars an hour… McDonalds in 2015 alone has shut down over 700 stores. They are not alone….stores that could flourish by paying kids minimum wages and no benefits….why do teens on moms healthcare plan need benefits?……..well those stores cant make it now that adults are taking the jobs and all across the land EVERYONE is experimenting with robotics and digital and ANYTHING to replace HUMANS….hell even google and others are building driverless cars…..great for those taxi cab drivers and putting a nail in the coffin of UBER etc…..
No the Democrats totally fail to get it……and that is why they have lost power every year for a decade now…..They were a one trick pony when GWB went to war….passing resolutions on the Gulf War and the MSM showing car bombs in detail 24×7………..
well now that there is no more wars to show….and nearly a 100 million Americans are without jobs……..yeah you get the point….the democrats are worrying about abortion, transgender bathrooms, gay rights and rising co2 and hoping to RAISE TAXES and give free college to everyone…..which only means that everyone without a college degree will NEVER FIND A JOB……hell youll have FRAMERS with a masters in Education speaking spanish sending money to mexico at the rate that the Socialist Bernie Sanders wants to fix things….
that will really work well in America.
Liam,
You’re being typically disingenuous.
Both Vlad and Ivanka put their names on products and sell them. Those products are manufactured overseas – not in the US. Why do they do that? Because Trumpski thinks Americans get paid too much. Ask his Sec of Labor. Trumpski can have ties made in China for $1 an hour, in Bangladesh for $0.30 an hour.
If either of them cared even a little about the minority of Americans who voted for daddy, they’d buy and manufacture American. They are both part of the problem.
El presidente won’t put his money where his mouth is. Loser.