Back in the day, my grandmother worked at some of the most exclusive clubs

[MIButterfly]

in downtown Detroit. She worked in the kitchen, specifically the pantry, making sandwiches, salads, scooping out ice cream, etc. From time to time, political candidates would hold their $50 a plate (or however much it was in the 60s) fundraisers at one of the clubs where she worked. The Republican candidates would give their speeches and then go schmooze the donors out front, but after the Democratic candidates would give their speeches and schmooze the donors out front, they would go back in the kitchen and have a shot of Schnapps with the help. The Democratic candidates knew that the people in the back of the house were just as important as the people in the front of the house and that they vote too. The Republican candidates didn't care about the back of the house then and they don't care about the back of the house now.

[rubbersole]

1. This batch of republicans HATES the people in the back of the house.

They want to be cruel and inflict hardship any way they can. And they're doing a pretty good job of it.

[NJCher]

2. Lost opportunity on the part of Republicans

When running for office, personal contact is very important. Especially in this day and age, where attention is at a premium, the personal contact makes a difference.

How much trouble would it have been for a republican to join the staff in the back for a shot? They were already there. It would’ve been a matter of 15 or 20 minutes.

Think about it: one has a preference for a politician they have met and had a favorable interaction with. Because I am in a union, I have met many of the New Jersey assembly members and senators. It makes a difference. Here is an example:

Most New Jersey readers of this post will know who Steve Sweeney is. It is no surprise that Sweeney is not very popular with people who might read DU.

However, when Sweeney came to a union meeting prior to the election, he gave a speech. (All the others spoke, too.) The speech pointed out the role of experience with a legislator. It made sense! And so doing, Sweeney pointed out his “unique selling proposition.“

In addition, he was dressed professionally in a business suit. I watched
him interact with other candidates, but mostly with the teachers at the meeting. This was after all the speeches had been given.He was able to establish a rapport with each person relatively rapidly.

I think the OP‘s point was about caring. I wanted to add that it is also about taking full advantage of an opportunity.

[EverHopeful]

3. If I may, I'd like to mention another big difference

A friend used to be a stripper on Bourbon Street and many of the women she worked with were sex workers. She said it was well known that sex workers from all over flocked to cities where Republican conventions were being held but not to cities where Democratic conventions were being held.

The "Family Values" party was apparently a real boon to the sex-worker business.

[FadedMullet]

4. The press really enjoyed reporting on Eleanor Roosevelt going into blue collar workplaces, even coal mines.