Democrats always talk about winning over blue collar voters. Why not white collar ones?

[Initech]

Everyone has their typical definition of the Trump voter - someone whose mind has been warped by Fox News and they generally work the low end of the totem pole when it comes to jobs. They're the haulers and the movers and the trash collectors and the ticket takers and the drive thru employees. But what about the white collar ones? The middle managers and small business owners who care a lot about the status they present. These are the kinds of people who have country club memberships, live in big, well-decorated fancy houses, and often have multiple degrees or a lot of wealth that they've accumulated.

I personally know a lot of these types of people. They will vote conservative literally every time because it speaks to the one thing that they hold above all else - the wallet. And because of that, they don't care about anyone else but themselves. They only care about status. They care about their expensive Mercedes, their country club memberships, and their upscale houses. They have multiple TVs and all of them are turned into Fox 24/7.

Let's do a case study. One of my dad's good friends owns an insurance business. And it's a very well off business, even in the times now. He's known this guy well over 20 years. We have been to his house multiple times, and it's enormous. In his spare time though, he reads a lot of super far right literature. Think even farther to the right than the Federalist. He also has Fox News on the TV 24 hours a day. And is very into status. Nice guy until you start talking politics. Then he spouts the most racist, off the wall shit you've ever heard in your life.

Another one - former neighbor who used to live across the street from my parents. He lives in a huge mansion, wears copious amounts of bronzer and hair gel. Super into status. Also nice guy until politics are brought up, because he has Fox News on the TV 24 hours a day. Then again says the most hateful, divisive shit you've ever heard.

So why can't democrats approach this kind of voter? These are the kinds of voters that we should be worrying about and the kind who aren't afraid to pony up a $2,000 a plate luncheon for Trump or other super far right wing politician. Can their minds not be changed? Or are they the kind of people who are stuck in their ways?

[Aristus]

1. Anyone predisposed to believe the shit FOX News spews 24/7 is essentially unreachable.

No point in even trying...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Probably because they're hopeless.

If they've been marinating in Fox News for years, they're brainwashed beyond help. Only a personal catastrophe might change their outlook, and probably not even that. Targeting them would be a waste of time and effort.

[JonLP24]

3. If they are racist then that leaves me out

Racism is a big reason why I don't ever vote for Republicans.

I'm also left wing on economics & social issues so I tend to think about the homeless (who largely don't vote especially with voter suppression laws) than those doing well off in business.

[House of Roberts]

4. The GOP is the party of the Oppressor Class.

You just described the people who make up the bulk of the Oppressor Class.

Why should they buy into the message of the Democratic Party? If the Democratic Party becomes any more the party of the Oppressor Class, then we will have TWO parties catering to the Oppressor Class. At that point all the arguments that both parties are the same, and all the 'both sides do it' comparisons will be valid.

[eleny]

5. Why not try something novel and different and go for the part of the base...

.... that shows up to vote Dem every time - black women.

The white collar set can go blow itself. It's not the Dem Party base. They owe the rest of us, not the other way around.

[flibbitygiblets]

6. You answered your own question: These people vote with their wallets

When they hear "democrat", they think "higher taxes", and that's all they care about. (And Democrats DO want them to pay more in taxes, so I don't see these people as politically gettable.) Being stuck in their ways is only the beginning of the problem. Being fearful (of black and brown people), and being fundamentally selfish is the real issue.

My in-laws are like this. Big, fancy houses--they're not exactly 1%-ers, but definitely well-off. And obsessed with status and property taxes (apparently the fact that they decided to buy two mansions in a gated community is something we all have to suffer for in shitty elected representation). Oh, and they're bigoted AF but incapable of seeing it. It's sad because none of their children need or want their money, and we don't really like spending time with them either. We do see them, occasionally, mostly out of pity and obligation.

They're not exactly Trump fans, but until Democrats say they're going to lower their taxes, Trump could personally shoot up a neonatal ICU and these people would still hold their noses and vote for him.

[Hoyt]

7. Agree with the point, but one quick thought is the insurance guy isn't going to be for a MFA or

a Public Option, etc., for health insurance. The other guy, is into protecting his income and minimizing taxes. If that's where they are, they are probably white wing racists too.

Don't think Democrats have a lot to offer them. With that said, I know a number of white collar workers who are good Democrats in my red/rube state. They clearly shouldn't be forgotten, but they've leaned Democratic for years.

Some white wingers I know, are fed up with trump and I think will either not vote for him or go with Biden. They seem pretty comfortable with Biden compared to trump.

[snowybirdie]

8. Who says

White collar folks don't vote for Democrats? Generalizing an entire cohort of people isn't valid. Most of my family and friends are all strong Democrats.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. they are unreachable. they are in the cult of money. it is their god

Democrats' values are polar opposite of theirs.

[Captain Stern]

10. We don't 'always' talk about winning over blue collar workers.

Nor, do we never talk about winning over white collar workers.

I'm pretty sure a fair amount of us that post here are actually white collar workers.

Maybe we could do a better job of explaining that our policies help everyone, regardless of what color shirt they wear, but that doesn't mean we aren't trying.

[abqtommy]

11. +100

[RANDYWILDMAN]

12. Love the money culters

They follow the market and the money, anything else is a waste of their time.

They have all been tricked into thinking that trickle down economics works and they don't care if it doesn't

Also these people all think they are donor class or they just want to be.

think, the super idiots behind their gates with their guns. My wife went to law school and the worst lawyers are personal injury lawyers, they scored lowed on the bar exam and none of the big firms recruit them, so they are stuck with personal injury.

[Initech]

13. Oh yes and their economic theories are just downright racist.

Talking to my dad's friend the other day made it clear he does not get his economic advice from CNBC.