General Discussion

Hippo_Tron

(25,453 posts)

269. The answer is that there's no easy answer

Sun Jan 27, 2013, 02:24 AM

Jan 2013

Essentially that's the million dollar question for progressives. The Republican Party more or less represents the interests of the wealthiest 2% of the country. Maybe 5-10% of the country at most when you consider lots of people have jobs with either defense contractors, or working in the coal or oil industries, working for a health insurance company, or some other industry that is hampered by liberal attempts to change things.

So if we could just stop getting everyone to vote against their own economic interests, you'd have an overwhelming majority voting to create a social welfare state and workers' rights like they have in Europe.

The problem is that there's just no simple answer. You can try to pin it on religion, guns, racism, talk radio, Fox News, inability of Democrats to convey their message, etc. but no single explanation truly works.

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Why do Democrats do so poorly with rural voters? [View all] davidn3600 Jan 2013 OP

clinging to guns and religion? maggiesfarmer Jan 2013 #1

That's what I think sells the GOP to them, and the republicans know how to RKP5637 Jan 2013 #2

fucking + 1,000,000. banned from Kos Jan 2013 #8

Or, the use of "wedge issues" to get people to vote against their class interests. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #42

That phrase right there illustrates exactly WHY they side with republicans. OneTenthofOnePercent Jan 2013 #47

or just quit trying to ban our guns. banned from Kos Jan 2013 #57

In your opinion, what would be a good way to say "clinging to guns and religion?" ZombieHorde Jan 2013 #153

This post demonstrates how it's ok in reverse Lordquinton Jan 2013 #171

Not really, they live in a bubble Riftaxe Jan 2013 #198

You're just highlighting my point Lordquinton Jan 2013 #221

LOL tabasco Jan 2013 #255

I hear ye. redgreenandblue Jan 2013 #174

Exactly! Condescension ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #233

One coud also ask... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #252

Rural voters = white. sadbear Jan 2013 #3

So was John Kerry. Did he win the rural vote? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #54

Did he win the white vote? sadbear Jan 2013 #61

There was some peanut farmer, whaddayacalhim... nt tama Jan 2013 #172

Pretty much. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #101

I wonder what percentage of rural voters are non-white? sadbear Jan 2013 #115

Except in the South No Vested Interest Jan 2013 #154

Yes, the key word is 'voters'. sadbear Jan 2013 #156

The GOP has spent 30 years telling them that being poor makes them more partiotic JoePhilly Jan 2013 #4

So there's no poverty in urban areas? leftstreet Jan 2013 #5

The GOP calls those in the inner city, "thugs". JoePhilly Jan 2013 #10

But why don't impoverished urban people vote GOP? leftstreet Jan 2013 #16

No, I said the GOP tells "them", the RURAL POOR, that their poverty is patriotic. JoePhilly Jan 2013 #19

What do the Democrats tell these impoverished people? leftstreet Jan 2013 #29

Not much - they start yelling instead of listening jeff47 Jan 2013 #98

Judging by the attitudes of some Democrats... YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #124

It's difficult to remain charitable when they're screaming at you about Rush's latest fantasy (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #130

I understand that. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #134

I don't think it's possible jeff47 Jan 2013 #140

Dems should start with GOP attempt to exboyfil Jan 2013 #191

That is far from universally true. antigone382 Jan 2013 #197

I think you've got something there... ReRe Jan 2013 #163

I have had a much different experience Democratic Principle Jan 2013 #230

You are very lucky... ReRe Jan 2013 #247

I don't know... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #6

Another good way to say it. JoePhilly Jan 2013 #11

Lets not forget that many of the rural poor joined the military. FarPoint Jan 2013 #112

So being wealthy is what makes one patriotic? Riftaxe Jan 2013 #200

Because most of them listen to hate radio! Auntie Bush Jan 2013 #7

But why do poor rural folk listen to hate radio, Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #55

Sometimes, the only radio stations available in rural areas carry hate radio Art_from_Ark Jan 2013 #89

That's it exactly spinbaby Jan 2013 #185

Yep. It's a captive, controlled audience. nt Zorra Jan 2013 #268

Because it explains rural poverty by blaming it on urban poverty. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #102

Yes, and when your life is hard truebluegreen Jan 2013 #173

Go on a cross country drive with nothing to listen to but radio and you'll wonder no more Fumesucker Jan 2013 #167

Really? Contemporary music stations Riftaxe Jan 2013 #204

This is absolutely true. Mr Nay and I travel extensively and the airwaves, generally, have been Nay Jan 2013 #206

so many factors, really.... NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #9

"What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America " KoKo Jan 2013 #33

thanks! great book. saw him interviewed often on the teevee after it was published. NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #35

Also: "Deer Hunting With Jesus"...by Joe Bageant explains much more. KoKo Jan 2013 #38

I am truly sorry to read that he died renate Jan 2013 #41

Thanks...there were some podcasts of him the year before he died where he KoKo Jan 2013 #45

great writer riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #79

That's a very good book. patrice Jan 2013 #120

So sorry about Joe I used to read his website I didn' tknow he passed kimbutgar Jan 2013 #232

Doesn't religion exist in inner cities too? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #58

Sure it does, but (again, the issue with generalities) not like in rural in terms NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #65

I'd add that fundamental/conservative religion also tends to view poverty as moral failing SpartanDem Jan 2013 #132

that's the line that many of our neighbors take. on one hand, they all flock to NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #136

I see the problem right here on DU. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #12

I think somewhat differently. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #21

But those elected "Democrats" consistently vote with Repug when they get into congress KoKo Jan 2013 #49

Really? What % of their votes are Republican? dmallind Jan 2013 #220

Well...I live in NC...our Dems for the most part vote in House and Senate with Repugs. KoKo Jan 2013 #246

Actually, there isn't much to back up that assertion jeff47 Jan 2013 #113

You have a point YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #129

AS a campaign staffer I agree 100% tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #168

That makes a very unfounded assumption quakerboy Jan 2013 #236

Liberals are better educated. Jeevus Jan 2013 #13

I got a great education in very rural Wyoming. TransitJohn Jan 2013 #25

It's a generalization, like the question. Jeevus Jan 2013 #30

Prejudice masquerading as enlightened sentiment YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #118

More schooled tama Jan 2013 #176

the GOP has defined the Democrats KT2000 Jan 2013 #14

Your policies are weak and puny. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #15

food stamps for all? hopemountain Jan 2013 #64

I read somewhere tama Jan 2013 #180

ok so... limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #241

^^This too. And how about aiding SMALL rural farmers to grow fresh food for sale locally? And Nay Jan 2013 #222

Amen to all of that. limpyhobbler Jan 2013 #239

Why do Democrats do so poorly with rural voters? Dr. Who Jan 2013 #17

Republicans know how to lie to rural voters, and push their buttons, while they screw them n/t arcane1 Jan 2013 #22

How have they not figured out how to lie to inner city voters? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #60

Inner city voters (of any race) don't trust rich white guys who pander to rednecks and fundies. arcane1 Jan 2013 #66

Because the lies are to blame all problems on the inner city voters. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #117

Because the pubs have already called them welfare queens, shiftless blacks, illegal immigrant Nay Jan 2013 #208

So then .... Sparkly Jan 2013 #27

Probably because Dr. Who Jan 2013 #51

That's so puzzling. Sparkly Jan 2013 #69

To many of the rural voters Dr. Who Jan 2013 #91

Weird. Sparkly Jan 2013 #104

Actually many Dr. Who Jan 2013 #138

Personally, I wouldn't call what you're describing an "oasis." Sparkly Jan 2013 #143

Reality is way of life tama Jan 2013 #181

I think there are *lots* of people in the US in 2013 MadrasT Jan 2013 #270

Um, post office is government service. So is clean air act and banking regs and insurances. uppityperson Jan 2013 #152

I'm recalling the Nichols brothers of Michigan.... llmart Jan 2013 #193

Aren't farming subsidies government also? Very weird. uppityperson Jan 2013 #158

I think you hit it right on: cilla4progress Jan 2013 #205

Rural voters have been told for decades that liberal is a dirty word meow2u3 Jan 2013 #18

Well said. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #99

Thank you, meow2u3 sarge43 Jan 2013 #187

I live in a rural area and I am a diehard democrat. I think this area I am in is also southernyankeebelle Jan 2013 #20

Joe Bageant does good job of explaining it... KoKo Jan 2013 #23

Joe (RIP) was a great writer. banned from Kos Jan 2013 #37

The whiter the area, the redder the politics. Most of rural America is still lilly white. leveymg Jan 2013 #24

We have to get to the REASON that CT and the Northern States vote the way they do KoKo Jan 2013 #53

Why does CT and the NE remain deep blue? Education, unions, opportunity, liberal traditions leveymg Jan 2013 #63

Absolutely. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #123

Those blessings were acquired over several hundred years. The South took a different path a long leveymg Jan 2013 #146

Now...as one of the most Informed Posters on DU...you KNOW this is more nuanced KoKo Jan 2013 #244

J'Admets - leveymg Jan 2013 #250

thanks.... KoKo Jan 2013 #254

You and Stephen C are among my favorite South Carolinians. ;-) leveymg Jan 2013 #261

Interesting... KoKo Jan 2013 #266

You mentioned the more democratic culture on the coast and islands. leveymg Jan 2013 #272

Vermont is one of the whitest states in the USA,#2 I think. Hardly a red state.Maine virgogal Jan 2013 #72

See my comment about the cultural institutions that make the NE different from the rural south. leveymg Jan 2013 #93

Gawd, guns, & gays. blkmusclmachine Jan 2013 #26

As a diehard Dem in Red Texas... I can tell you. w8liftinglady Jan 2013 #28

Farm subsidies, guns, religion, homophobia, anti-immigration (racist), lack of higher education riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #31

Here's an article about how rural voters' influence is decreasing. Arugula Latte Jan 2013 #32

Grew up in a small town. cherish44 Jan 2013 #34

I was born in a small town in central Kansas octoberlib Jan 2013 #95

I am quite positive you are just stereotyping about the religious thing Riftaxe Jan 2013 #209

Study some of the posts in DU and other forums. Notice what some say about... Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #36

very well written renate Jan 2013 #46

Absolutely 100% spot on Berserker Jan 2013 #83

Same could be said about folks from rural areas. Moses2SandyKoufax Jan 2013 #86

Perhaps. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #107

Well, the OP was asking why rural people aren't Democrats, not the other way around. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #144

"historically" is not omitted as an oversight - it would be a lie dmallind Jan 2013 #223

Not all of 'the north' is urban. PotatoChip Jan 2013 #234

In the south or north Riftaxe Jan 2013 #211

I think it's about living with different people, and experiencing diversity. Sparkly Jan 2013 #39

There is also the flip side of that Riftaxe Jan 2013 #213

I believe the power of Fox entertainment FarPoint Jan 2013 #40

How come AM talk radio has no influence on the inner cities? (nt) Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #62

I think people in the inner cities are smart enough to know when they're being scapegoated. nt Sparkly Jan 2013 #74

because if you choose to live in a rural setting Riftaxe Jan 2013 #215

because inner city people have more options? hopemountain Jan 2013 #75

Cities have FM radio, normally music not talk formats. ManiacJoe Jan 2013 #92

Right.... Riftaxe Jan 2013 #216

Inner city is cool.... FarPoint Jan 2013 #97

Because AM talk radio blames the inner cities for all of our problems. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #122

Because they are the ones that AM Hate Radio is demonizing. Ikonoklast Jan 2013 #199

True in rural Maine as well. PotatoChip Jan 2013 #238

And those mostly rural Ohio counties whose citizens absolutely depend on taxpayer assistance Ikonoklast Jan 2013 #242

Because they're rural. geomon666 Jan 2013 #43

And conversely, they don't see the positive effect liberal policies have on them YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #142

Ya got me gramps Riftaxe Jan 2013 #217

I grew up in rural south, very democrat, somehow the prejudice moved from Democrat to Republican. Thinkingabout Jan 2013 #44

They're definitely more socially conservative LeftInTX Jan 2013 #48

Religion Marrah_G Jan 2013 #50

Democrats are the party of public goods eridani Jan 2013 #52

It's a number of factors SpartanDem Jan 2013 #56

Another good post. YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #103

Racism and social conservatism. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #59

God and MichaelHarris Jan 2013 #67

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #68

Tell us more. Sparkly Jan 2013 #70

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #76

Is change what's bothering you? Sparkly Jan 2013 #80

He/she will be gone soon. xoom Jan 2013 #78

I know.... Sparkly Jan 2013 #82

They sure seem to wiggle a lot right before the end. xoom Jan 2013 #84

Gone... Sparkly Jan 2013 #85

Your Ronnie Raygun started the "phone" program. underseasurveyor Jan 2013 #88

your boy larwdem Jan 2013 #108

Actually, they're not Obama phones . They're Bush phones. Get your facts straight. octoberlib Jan 2013 #111

Most rural voters have less education and a lower IQ. Terra Alta Jan 2013 #71

Less education maybe, but not a lower IQ. Sparkly Jan 2013 #77

Yes, a lower IQ Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #100

Yeah, I'd guess test-taking abilities Sparkly Jan 2013 #109

Also if you have a higher IQ, wickerwoman Jan 2013 #135

Post removed Post removed Jan 2013 #218

I think much of that is due to brainwashing by rural pastors Terra Alta Jan 2013 #105

Or the pastors are equally scared. Sparkly Jan 2013 #110

It didn't used to be this way. Kansas was a hotbed of dissidents. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #73

And fundamentalist religion, in many places and for many people, filled that gap YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #116

I live in a rural area, and it's also very blue. The differene, I think, is that it isn't poor. Brickbat Jan 2013 #81

You're in Minnesota? Which has other significant differences. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #90

IQ snooper2 Jan 2013 #87

"Some" traditional agrarian conservatism. moondust Jan 2013 #94

If I was ever going to ask this question, anywhere... Fla_Democrat Jan 2013 #96

It's Changing, Albeit Slowly... But The Rural Kids Have Laptops And Cell Phones Now... WillyT Jan 2013 #106

There are real grievances against Democrats in much of rural America YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #114

So they're just mad that somebody called them names? Sparkly Jan 2013 #119

Well, it doesn't help that the people calling the names... YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #121

But that proves the point. Sparkly Jan 2013 #126

Ironic... No ??? WillyT Jan 2013 #125

I would say the lack of critical thinking still_one Jan 2013 #127

The smart and open minded people leave small towns... Odin2005 Jan 2013 #128

And often move back. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #235

Failure to find genuine commonality with them & then to authentically respect & enjoy connection patrice Jan 2013 #131

In my experience Stargazer09 Jan 2013 #133

Yeah, there's very little oppurtunity in a lot of rural towns YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #137

Probably not much Stargazer09 Jan 2013 #141

Also, America used to be majority-rural YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #139

Since the late '70's, most of my family has lived in and around Terre Haute, IN. Brigid Jan 2013 #145

This... WillyT Jan 2013 #147

Not sure what you're asking. Brigid Jan 2013 #149

I'm... Agreeing ??? WillyT Jan 2013 #165

+1 MannyGoldstein Jan 2013 #184

Well, why do Republicans do so poorly in urban areas and big cities? Ter Jan 2013 #148

how poorly do we actually do? Recursion Jan 2013 #150

Depends on the area YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #225

Maybe it's... naah. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2013 #151

My belief is that the next four years will change some minds. BootinUp Jan 2013 #155

Why do Democrats do so poorly with rural voters? Generations Herlong Jan 2013 #157

Some of you are right and some of you are wrong. ruralvoter89 Jan 2013 #159

I live in a poor rural area of Vermont called the Northeast Kingdom cali Jan 2013 #160

Care to comment on farm subsidies? moondust Jan 2013 #161

Abomination tama Jan 2013 #183

Well said ruralvoter89. CalFresh Jan 2013 #228

Coming from a rural area, hate radio is often all that comes in & people listen to it. catbyte Jan 2013 #162

It's time for us to make a difference Herlong Jan 2013 #164

AM hate radio aka "talk radio" Thor_MN Jan 2013 #166

That's it in a nutshell. Everything else is secondary. Auntie Bush Jan 2013 #273

I live in a large city Le Taz Hot Jan 2013 #169

Guns, and a lack of understanding. beevul Jan 2013 #170

This reminds me of incident tama Jan 2013 #175

So rural people don't use modern medicine? wickerwoman Jan 2013 #262

Some do, some don't tama Jan 2013 #264

They are low information voters, many of them--they work long hours and they aren't interested in MADem Jan 2013 #177

What will your excuse be when the Democratics win these areas doing nothing different except graham4anything Jan 2013 #178

Why do respectable journals demand peer reviewed content? napoleon_in_rags Jan 2013 #179

hyper- patriotism loyalsister Jan 2013 #182

guns and god mans two worst inventions bowens43 Jan 2013 #186

This thread demonstrates the answer. LWolf Jan 2013 #188

It seems pretty clear, right? The2ndWheel Jan 2013 #189

A large portion of this thread melm00se Jan 2013 #190

Well said! YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #224

Why does the GOP do so poorly with urban voters? vi5 Jan 2013 #192

+1 DCBob Jan 2013 #202

Yep. That is a better question. Arugula Latte Jan 2013 #207

This thread reminds me of a line from a very famous novel (see if you can guess it without google) tjwash Jan 2013 #194

Catch-22. I Googled it. randome Jan 2013 #196

It is one of the all time classics...you need to get past that first 4 chapters tjwash Jan 2013 #214

Alot has to do with the message that comes out from supporters Arcanetrance Jan 2013 #195

Stability and conformity are more valued in rural areas. Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2013 #201

As long as that newly started tribe isn't too different The2ndWheel Jan 2013 #210

By definition, ruralism means isolation from the demographic melting pots of urban living. Old and In the Way Jan 2013 #203

Because people who should know better often do not. nt The Midway Rebel Jan 2013 #212

The message has a lot to do with it. 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #219

The term "low information voter" comes to mind. nt Deep13 Jan 2013 #226

farmers don't think crop subsidies are welfare yurbud Jan 2013 #227

Because they can't hide their contempt for them. Throd Jan 2013 #229

Ignorance. budkin Jan 2013 #231

I grew up in a rural area. PDJane Jan 2013 #237

Great post! I have lived B Calm Jan 2013 #249

I think, generally speaking, gollygee Jan 2013 #240

Good Points there..... Hope folks will read this. It does make sense. KoKo Jan 2013 #243

Interesting theory. LWolf Jan 2013 #245

Farming is the original collective. PDJane Jan 2013 #267

more of them will have to read and learn. Pretzel_Warrior Jan 2013 #248

Conservative churches, Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News. Rinse and repeat. CanonRay Jan 2013 #251

Values dissonance, therefore we Dems need to step it up agentS Jan 2013 #253

I don't think there is any way to appeal to them treestar Jan 2013 #256

There is a way to appeal to them tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #260

That sounds good actually treestar Jan 2013 #263

Right-wing take-over the AM radio waves. shcrane71 Jan 2013 #257

In the rural county where I live... Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 #258

The GOP tells them... Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #259

They view themselves as "rugged individualists holding off Democratic Socialist traitors," is why. WinkyDink Jan 2013 #265

The answer is that there's no easy answer Hippo_Tron Jan 2013 #269

Rural areas are conservative, the world over muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #271