"We Matter": Why Dems Should Not Ignore Red States

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[@ShadowSong634]

I just read that thousands of black voters in Alabama have just disappeared from the voter rolls. The NAACP is suing them. Yes, this would be the perfect time for Democrats to appeal to southern voters.

[@katejackson4142]

Alabama sounds like a good option.❤

[@Efaya13]

I can speak at least as an AL Dem voter (though I'm not Black or a POC) that I have to keep checking my voter registration status because on *3* separate occasions I have been suddenly removed from the voter rolls without any actual explanation given to me. I don't know if it's because I have a foreign language name or what - but I'm tired of having to get this fixed over and over.

[@katejackson4142]

@@Efaya13 Request to vote provisional ballot if you have already registered and there have been no change in your address. Have your DL proof of address just in case.

[@ChrisDurnez]

Being a Homeless Veteran for 10yrs if any of you think it's easy it's not. Nobody cares about our situation Now i make 22k weekly. have a home, a wife, a lovely daughter... A child of God. HALLELUJAH!❤

[@Ilovemyselfdespitemyself]

How did you do it? Do explain please 😯 My family have been into series of sufferings lately

[@ChrisDurnez]

Christina Ann Tucker is to be thanked. I got my self my dream house 🏠 just last weekend, My journey with her started after my best friend came back from New York and saw me suffering in dept then told me about her and how to change my life through trading with her. Christina A. Tucker is the kind of person one needs in his or her life!

[@msdowning1]

< I know that woman(Christina Ann Tucker) If you were born and raised in new York you'd know too, No doubt she is the one that helped you get where you are!!

[@zeazambuja]

Wow 😱 Me too Miss Christina Ann Tucker is a remarkable individual whom has brought immense positivity and inspiration into my life.

[@zeazambuja]

I started with a miserly $1500. The results have been mind blowing I must say TBH!

[@NinjaxPrime]

The problem is that a lot of red staters simply will not accept any kind of progressive economic policies if they come bundled, as they must, with things like racial equity, lgbt rights, and other progressive social policies. We can't ignore the bigotry. It exists. And since we know people who go to college are likely to become less bigoted, making college more accessible should be a priority. Easiest way to close the gap with non-college educated voters is to turn them into college educated voters.

[@adamrisch]

Yep and that's one reason why Republicans are doing everything they can to defund and delegitimize public education.

[@benketengu]

Pre-Reagan in-state tuition was relatively cheap, at least in North Carolina. For a semester it was under $500. Reagan came into office a lo of my friends had to drop out as their student loans had changed, Tuition doubled by the time my younger sister entered College.

[@joelcieszkowski8462]

Well, you fail to understand that the red states are the backbone of America. The people are tough and of a hearty variety. Very different from the privileged with their "bread and butter" politics. Just because people don't support your politics or views, doesn't make them bigoted.

[@notaspeck6104]

Yeah no offence, but inequality exists in blue states too. They just vote better. I agree that politicians should have to earn peoples votes, not vice versa, but at the same time we're not going to pander to backwards ideals. Pretty sure the Biden administration actually did more for red states than for blue, if you call that 'ignoring' I don't know what to say. Point is, could dems be better about red states? Yes. But red state voters should also get their heads out of their asses. Don't vote republican then blame dems for all your issues.

[@JustDontBeDumb]

You are expressing the very ideas that this woman was warning against. Turning people into college educated voters isn't "closing the gap" its "converting" them, a process that will take generations. Most of these people could never hope to even afford college and your dismissal of their lack of a proper education exposes as someone who doesn't really understand their circumstances. Anyway, the point isn't to pander to right wing extremists or racial bigots. The point is there is a massive untapped market in these red states of people who are apathetic to politics, people who are not extremists or racial bigots, just simple people struggling to get by , if the democrats would focus some of there rhetoric towards them they could become a solid voting block for the party. And we are going to need these people if you want to build support for unions across this country.

[@GeteMachine]

The problem is that dems think to appeal to red states, that they have to appeal with right-wing positions which turns off their own base and doesn't move red voters over. They need to give them left wing economic solutions to directly address their status. A lot of red state people are poor, not middle class, so they need to drop that status quo as well. They need to challenge the perception they had about Trump economically and remind them about social services they lack access to. Give them left wing solutions to their right wing problems. Not move to the center or tease right-wing openness to their politics (which Kamala, annoyingly does.)

[@ricardimartinez673]

Extremely well put 👏

[@meguca201]

Money in politics prevent left wing solutions. That's the crux of it.

[@Savalatte]

As somebody from the rural South, the poverty thing is overblown compared to what people claim in the media. Not only that but I've read that a lot of people who are poor don't usually vote Republican anyway. I'm just trying to be helpful here but I don't think Democrats can win with JUST an economic message in most cases. I think the main thing that has really hurt Democrats is non-stop obsession with social identity issues that tend to be divisive.

[@williambartholmey5946]

@@Savalatte Bingo. I've lived in the South my entire life and I fully concur.

[@bobbun9630]

They need to run and fund candidates at the local level. Local parties and candidates can properly assess the issues they need to run on to win, but only if they're on the ballot and have some financial commitment that will permit them to effectively campaign. On the presidential level, campaigns absolutely should ignore states that aren't close.

[@Averagejoe-xm9kc]

Part of the problem is the stupid Red Blue political maps. I am old enough to remember before that was a thing. Some states like Ohio are painted red not because they have a super majority Republican. They are so gerrymandered it’s nearly impossible to win as a democrat.

[@v2occy809]

Gerrymandering doesnt work if the population didnt vote red at all. They fall for the bullshit... so its kinda on them.

[@Dim.g0v]

Trump carried Ohio by 8 points in 2020.

[@vvitch-mist20]

That's the other issue. I'm sure people in these states try hard every election cycle, but the gerrymandering is so bad down there.

[@asteroid267]

@@Dim.g0v Yes, and you can thank the effects of years of gerrymandering for that. For example, by limiting the number of ballot dropboxes per county, so thousands of people in urban areas have to stand in line to vote during covid, or by secretly purging voter registrations in urban areas. There are many examples of how Republicans use their supermajority to suppress the opposing vote. These practices are not done by Democrats when they have supermajorities, by the way.

[@agm771]

@@Dim.g0v think he meant for the house of representatives lol

[@Milaperadotti]

In all , fairness Republicans ignore Democratic states

[@johngleason1776]

They don't ignore New York 🙃

[@firefly9838]

Thats true, but it would be much harder for Republicans to make inroads to the inner cities than for dems to make inroads in the rural areas

[@kevinhendrix8786]

They ignore all people (at least as far as delivering helpful policies) unless they are billionaires.

[@stanleed.harold5457]

Andy Beshear is the truth and she is brilliant

[@riact123]

​@@johngleason1776nope they don't, they specifically targeted states like New York with the repeal of the SALT cap. When it comes time for political retribution, Republicans always remember the blue states.

[@burnout_2017]

I live in a red state and i no way do i feel ignored by the democratic party. The democratic party in my state is doing a great job in getting out the messages that we need to hear. The party can only do so much and that is where WE THE PEOPLE come in to play. I have made it my mission to seek out and find those people who are apethetic towards either voting at all or supporting the democrats and i talk to them as often as possible. I have 5 at work that i have been talking with that werent even interested in politics or voting this time last year, but are now not only registered to vote but excited to do so. Instead of giving biased media something to over dramatize get out and recruit new voters. Stop acting spoiled and victimized like republicans do.

[@rsw552]

Well said. Thanks for stepping up.

[@mst3kpimp]

personally, the dems always embarrass me when they circle jerk around the middle class. economics aside, middle class is a state of mind that I dont identify as.

[@kapilchhabria1727]

We have tried this. Richard Ojeda, and Paula Green have been trying for years. Yes Andy Basheer did get elected from Kentucky but most of Appalachia just doesn’t vote in their own self interest but instead is more moved by xenophobia and populism.

[@SorenSoren-ft8sk]

Strongly disagree. Red-voting Americans, particularly rural, are already extremely pandered to due to the electoral college system and the fact that each state has two Senators regardless of population. Red states receive more money than blue states per federal dollar sent. Hell, the Dems allocated money for high-speed internet in rural places, despite the fact that rural places don't vote Dem. You don't see this kind of behavior from the GOP. The sad truth is that winning elections requires resources (political and financial capital), and the Dems are gonna have a harder time winning elections if they pander to red states like Kentucky that they don't have a chance of winning. Then Republicans understand this and don't allocate resources to blue states, but Dems are always like "well, you can't leave this part of the country behind" when discussing this topic.

[@PaperMario64]

You said this better than I could. Thank you.

[@notreal-duh]

why did you use kentucky as an example where dems don’t have a chance of winning? they have a democrat as their state governor

[@corvacopia]

Trump has been doing rallies in New York and California, they absolutely allocate resources to blue states. And Democrats won’t win those communities this election, but if they invest and campaign there this election and then deliver once in power they will start gaining in those communities until in a few election cycles they are able to win, just like they used to. And you’re talking about systemic favoring if their concerns, but it’d Republicans who win those seats because Republicans are the only ones who try. It took the GOP decades to be able to win the former blue wall in the South; Dems could likely do it in less, but it’d still take multiple election cycles

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

I'm Canadian & I was like "um...Senators tho?" bc yeah, they already have outsized political power. The grievance culture among GOP voters is delirious, we need to address it but not pander to it. The same policies that make everyone else's lives better will also help them, even if they aren't interested in reciprocity.

[@mattdombrowski8435]

So what, should we just abandoned them? They're not just votes, they're people. For one, people can be reached. Not saying it's easy, but what's the alternative? Just being fine with the country having hives of fascists? For two, if you believe the purpose of government is to benefit the people, you have to include the parts of the people you don't like. One of the reasons I'm not a republican is because I believe "to the victor goes the spoils" is reprehensible.

[@milesblue638]

Willful ignorance is a form of stupidity.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

We have to quit demonizing stupidity. I know people with low intelligence who are kind, curious, & empathetic & who recognize the need to protect people who are vulnerable & to maximize opportunities for fulfillment + happiness in the population. Oh, & they vote. "Stupid" isn't automatically "mean" & shouldn't be treated as synonyms. Intelligence doesn't mean much about your character, either --- look at Foghorn Leghorn Kennedy, the Rhodes scholar who used to be a democrat with no discernible accent until he moved South & refashioned himself as a Good Ol' Boy country doctor type, & definitely says wilfully ignorant things, like to Maya Berry in a hearing the other day. He knows better, he just doesn't care. I'll take someone who's slower but willing to learn + willing to become a better person + interested in other peoples' humanity + wellbeing over a Rhodes scholar deliberately choosing to be a sh-theel any day.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Dems need to appeal to economic populism not to right wingers

[@letsomethingshine]

The rich dems are economically right wing tho. Sad.

[@thehappyclam3942]

Those Dems vote Trump not Uniparty.

[@organicmagic8822]

No, not to right wingers, But I think visiting places like Appalachia should get a visit It would benefit everyone

[@notreal-duh]

⁠​⁠@@organicmagic8822right but that’s not appealing to right wingers, that’s appealing to rural folks

[@organicmagic8822]

@@notreal-duh Agreed. I think there are still quite a few rural people who just need the attention… to them, to their area

[@SA-pj3fz]

Last time Dems tried focusing on red states was in 2016 and we know how that turned out

[@bakeneko5343]

Kentucky stopped to vote Democrat in the 1950s but Civil Rights/Latino immigration are the main reason why rural America was captured by the GOP. You cannot convince them with economic reform (just like European proletarians who vote Far Right don't care about Leftist parties) . Nativism is their biggest concern hence the southern strategy

[@Etatdesiege1979]

Exactly

[@Etatdesiege1979]

I am glad you call it like it is.

[@jacobtodd1622]

William (Bill) J. Clinton won Kentucky in 1992 and 1996, with 1996 being the last General election that a Democrat won Kentucky on the Presidential level.

[@adversary22]

Red States matter, but how are we supposed to help them if they don't stop electing conservative politicians who want to prey upon them?

[@corvacopia]

Campaign, deliver, then you change people’s perspective. Republicans, occasionally, deliver small gains economically for those communities and they message on that to them hard. Democrats do some stuff that helps them, but they aren’t the target audience.

[@adversary22]

@@corvacopia Part of the problem is that billionaires have conditioned the public so thoroughly to react with anger and violence towards anything that might help them that this may not work. A lot of us have lost contact with even family over not embracing the cult. How do we reach the public if even family itself has been destroyed by their loyalty to their orange godling?

[@ermining1]

Maybe by listening to their needs and stop thinking they're dumb

[@SA-pj3fz]

@@ermining1Their needs are being addressed. They just don’t care and will blindly vote R on their ballot

[@ermining1]

@@SA-pj3fz and that answer is why they vote republican. If democrats actually did what they said they wanted such as increased minimum wage, universal healthcare(which they could have the first 2 years of Biden) people would vote for them. The fact is they're no better whatsoever than the republicans.

[@adamrisch]

Just curious what Matt and Emma think Charles Booker needed to do to appeal to Kentuckians, because he was and is very much behind policies that would benefit ordinary people, and yet when he ran for Senate against Rand Paul in 2022 he got essentially the same percentage of the vote that conservative phony Democrat Amy McGrath did against Mitch McConnell in 2020, i.e. he lost by over 23%. And Charles Booker is not to the right of Andy Beshear, unless you mean on the color spectrum lol. It might play well to your Kentucky viewers to pretend like it's all the Democrats' fault that they repeatedly and overwhelmingly vote for for the absolute worst people like McConnell and Paul and Trump, but while the Democratic establishment certainly deserves to shoulder some blame, the reality is that much of the state has been thoroughly brainwashed by right-wing propaganda just like every other red state, and yes that includes a big dose of racism, and you know it.

[@christopherstathis4419]

Add in Jamie Harrison as another example. They poured a ton of money into his race against Lindsey, yet still got demolished by double dights.

[@warrensenna6690]

Thank you Someone who realizes that Dem policy is all about helping her and her like But they listen to the wrong people

[@zmomharp4567]

Great points!

[@Etatdesiege1979]

Exactly.

[@Etatdesiege1979]

As a Hispanic person, this is totally how I see the situation. I got the Appalachian part of West Virginia and is the same shit. People can’t stand to see people other than them possess the markers of social mobility. Unfortunately, they have been totally brainwashed by right wing demagoguery and racism and zero sum mentality. I can’t remember one election in Kentucky in my lifetime where the democrat didn’t get crushed by double digits. The caller never makes an allusion to this or never recognizes the fact that Appalachia has to overcome a large issue with racism and fear of the other. Listen to AM Radio there and all you can here is 24/7 demonizing of minorities and the politicians who support them.

[@ASaund-qb6wy]

OK lady and which party is saying coal miners want coal to come back then? Oh right the party most of you vote for.

[@pablothepurplepenguin]

What is the point they’re tryna make? Cause she said “know the difference between ignorance and stupidity” they’re both.

[@kushclarkkent6669]

@@pablothepurplepenguin Great username lmao

[@jamesnesbitt2941]

It’s not that these states don’t matter, they do. The issue is the majority of the population in those states will vote red come hell or high water and no amount of reaching out will change their minds. Ted Cruz fled Texas during a crisis and the Dems put a lot of effort into supporting Beto and yet Texas still kept Cruz in. Mtg has embarrassed herself repeatedly but her district is so Red she doesn’t have to worry. Boebert won her primary after switching districts knowing she may lose if she stayed in her current district. Gaetz is in the middle of a sex scandal that the GOP itself won’t let die but if he runs again he wins again. You go to the state government and they have gerrymandered the maps to make it near impossible to win without a massive scandal sinking a candidate. You have total abortion bans in states and those governors and legislators that signed it into law are confident they will hold their positions. If and when these deep red districts and states show they want something different they’ll vote differently. Until they show they want something different by at least primarying out the extremists there is little point for Dems to focus finite time and resources on unwinnable elections.

[@AlcasSin]

The only way is to do it via grassroots. Warnock and Ossoff would be impossible without top organization from the bottom

[@Savalatte]

Sometimes you have to play the long game. Texas is gettting closer and closer and I believe Florida is a little bit better. But here again is another issue because Florida and other states are also becoming more conservative because certain types of people MOVE there. "If and when these deep red districts and states show they want something different they’ll vote differently. Until they show they want something different by at least primarying out the extremists there is little point for Dems to focus finite time and resources on unwinnable elections." No one expects either party to spend limited time and resources on places that are unwinnable but the parts where you BLAME the individuals living there is disturbing. It's not their job to govern themselves, that's why they vote for one of the two parties to begin with. You act like it's some kind of sin to be in a minority voting group. It's the job of each party to both govern and win elections. You're implying that some innocent person who often doesn't have much time, money, or expertise is supposed to run around trying to get people to change their vote, fight against gerrymandering, try to convert a bunch of extremists, etc. If all this is the job of the average person then why vote for Democrats at all?

[@user-Dumbunny]

@@Savalatte Agreed. A focus on connecting with blue collar Americans can play a big role in future elections. Also, as the caller pointed out, Kentucky elected Andy Beshear. Kansas has Laura Kelly. North Carolina has Roy Cooper. Senator Tester represents Montana, and Sherrod Brown represents Ohio. People in 60%-40% red states are willing to vote for a Democrat if the messaging is right. Once you get outside the resistance liberal and MAGA bubbles respectively, the majority of the electorate does *not* see politics as simply a red vs. blue contest, contrary to what OP believes.

[@ct6852]

Cruz is losing in the polls right now. Things may actually be changing.

[@zetsubanned4308]

"The middle class", as if that still exists in a meaningful way. Never hear a politician use the term "lower class" in reference to appealing to voters or just, y'know, helping people. It's always MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES™. Fuck me I guess for not having a family and being a low-class wage slave.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

"Working class" is preferable to "lower class" but yes it's annoying not to hear working class folks addressed.

[@henlo1910]

​@@picahudsoniaunflocked5426 Am I the only one who hates the term working class? Pretty much everyone works, the issue is that certain workers have, under capitalism, been relegated to a class that is specifically lower (in terms of pay, position in social hierarchy, etc) than the others based on material conditions.

[@minhvu5399]

@@henlo1910yes, almost people are working

[@TwoForFlinchin1]

A lot of poor people think of themselves as middle class regardless. I'm not sure if the terminology meaningful more than the policy

[@user-Dumbunny]

It's how politicians speak to Americans in a way that they think will resonate with most Americans. Ronald Wright said that the American proletariats sees themselves as "temporarily embarrassed millionaires". This may not apply to you, but many Americans who are earning minimum wage and have meager savings can be tricked by Republicans into voting for policies that benefits the wealthy, when social programs become "handouts" and capitalists become "job creators". When Democrats speak of social programs that benefit the middle class, they generally benefit the working class as well, but if they said "working class", they open themselves up to "Joe the Plumber" attacks from the right.

[@Nahasapasa]

This is just another reason why the electoral collage should be abolished

[@piku5637]

Worker co-ops need to become the new norm, we need workplace democracy🗳️💙. The employer/employee power dynamic is abusive and obsolete🇵🇸🕊️Ⓐ☭🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🗽

[@gimme0dis0junk0mail]

YES! ^^THis!

[@davidrobertson4332]

I am tired about hearing about the “plight” of rural America.

[@truthofevolution]

I would agree with this, but conservatives are constantly talking about Hollywood liberals, and New York liberals and San Francisco liberals as an insult. Don’t we matter? They can’t have it both ways.

[@gothwolf13]

I'm someone who grew up in one of those stereotypical liberal cities in a deep blue state and I've known this for years. The argument for a green transition is one of the EASIEST to make to people from current/former fossil fuel dependent economies. Those jobs suck. They are/were horrific on worker's health and safety. Most green energy jobs are safer, less labor intensive, and potentially higher paying. They don't pollute the local environment where those workers and their families live. People don't give a shit about coal. What they care about is knowing they'll be able to pay their bills and take care of their loved ones. It's the same stupid argument as "people will miss their private insurance company". No the fuck they won't, they might care about their specific doctor or hospital, you know, the stuff that they actually interact with. The only interactions people have with their insurance company is jumping through legal hoops to get the care they need and paying tons more money than people with universal coverage.

[@BennyFromFalloutNewVegas]

Wyoming is a progressive state, especially with women's health and affordable college. If you told them they were being progressive they would get mad, though. Scott Morrow, a former postal union leader is running for Senate, but I'm worried he won't win just because they conditioned to always vote red.

[@Justme-jq2np]

The same Wyoming that kicked Cheney out of office because trump is a liar

[@asteroid267]

Yep, but I think an easy solution is for Dems to simply give more screen time to young Democratic politicians from more rural states. The country is more than NYC and SF. The urban hipster Dems and the corporate Dems assume all people in those states are ultra-conservative racists but that's not true. Most would vote Dem if someone who looks like them, talks like them, and didn't go to an Ivy League school, explains what the Dem platform is, and starts putting focus on their issues.

[@adamrisch]

So, Charles Booker? Oh right, he doesn't look like enough Kentuckians, does he.

[@asteroid267]

@@adamrisch Explain more explicitly what you mean. Why is Booker a problem?

[@adamrisch]

@@asteroid267 You tell me. He lost to Rand Paul, who is a complete lying POS, by 23% in 2022, despite being a young Democrat who was born and raised in Kentucky and who came from humble origins and very much put the focus on issues that effect ordinary people. But you said Kentuckians need someone who "looks like them", and that sounds like you're saying it has to be a white guy to me.

[@seanpatrick1243]

Kamala has NEVER said, “I love fracking.” She is only saying that she will not ban fracking, which is the correct approach. She is saying that fracking will play a role in a transitional energy economy, which leaves her open to severely limiting fracking in the future without having broken a promise.

[@onestupidboi9320]

no, she is never going to go after fracking. Democrats don't do anything they aren't required to do in order to stay in power.

[@onuwaekwueme3301]

Believe me no one thinks people of red states are stupid. But just look at the people red states have presented as representatives: Hershel Walker, Tom Tuberville, Roy Moore, Lauren Boebert, Majorie Taylor Greene, Mark Robinson, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, Byron Donaldson……the list goes on and on. All these people I’ve named have done nothing meaningful in Congress or were quite just simply unequivocally unqualified for the role, yet people vote against their interests. At some point, people have to look at the data.

[@Savalatte]

I don't understand what you're trying to say? The people you list are Republican. This website is left leaning so most people on this website are also left leaning. Generally speaking liberal websites critique conservatives while something like the daily wire condemns liberals. I'm an independent but mostly vote Democrat now because they better represent my interests. Many people in my area vote conservative because they tend to be religious so it does represent their interests. Are you trying to insinuate that people like me on here who live in conservative areas/red states secretly vote for REPUBLICANS?

[@onuwaekwueme3301]

@@Savalatte not saying that at all. But people with your viewpoint are in the minority. All I’m saying is that even if a Democrat can win a few counties in a red state, the majority will vote republican. Nothing wrong with voting either party, unless voting that specific party is against your interests.

[@Bigandrewm]

The focus on "middle" class indicates to me that Harris has no real interest in addressing income inequality, it's just another round of the same punting the real problems to the next guy.

[@shiobhan8648]

What and republicans do? Geez the rich are already losing their minds at taxing the ultra rich… Dems are saying middle class because saying poor is a given, who is pushing minimum wage, housing, infrastructure … Dems… if they mention poor the republicans leap to lazy people on welfare… Dems can’t do anything without numbers in house and senate

[@Efaya13]

There are A LOT of non-Republican voters in red states. I can only speak for AL, but a big part of our problem is our weak, chaotic, and apathetic state Dem party. They don't even try. Our area is one of the rare purple regions of the state, and yet the Dems never want to help locals here run for office. They're almost always left on their own to face old money pouring into the state GOP. Our voter turnout is pathetically low because people have given up on change - we brace for the harm we know comes our way whenever the state legislature decides they wanna attack us.

[@MattGaetzOnAWhiteFordBronco]

This is like rescuing someone that's drowning at high sea... one cannot reason with these folks *_right now_* because they'll drag you down too. Come to the middle and VOTE OUT the GOP, then we can have a conversation. Keep voting against your best interests, elect GOP reps like McConnell and Rand Paul, elect GOP reps throughout the entire state apparatus, have them gerrymandered, then complain "But Obama left us behind..." *_no your current reps are._*

[@exiledfrommyself]

That's what I don't get. The Democrats support policies that would help them, but they continually vote Republican. Obviously, they don't want our help.

[@jaygee850]

Errr. Did everyone miss Harris's speach where she said that she is advocating for smart people without college degrees to enter the job market at a higher level ?

[@hipking23]

Went right over their heads

[@letsomethingshine]

She said something? I only heard Trump say the sky was falling but that it’s just a joke but that it’s a real thing they made up but it’s only really a lie to shift attention to something sort of true if you look at it certain ways. It’s red meat to the easy vote that should be pandered to, but the rich empowered of the Democratic power HATE their base wanting to equalize the opportunity.

[@bted]

That's a little vague. And very uninteresting. Which is kind of how I'd describe a lot of Harris's campaign.

[@starchunkss]

@@bted Nothing is more vague than "concepts of a plan" but these people will vote for him anyway.

[@williambartholmey5946]

@@bted Yep. Did everyone miss the completely empty platitude Kamala said? LOL

[@PaperMario64]

The elephant in the room that no one wants to look at is that rural people believe urban people have DIFFERENT wants, desires, and needs. Rural people act as if they are the only people who go to church, want safe neighborhoods, etc, and so they need special attention. Rural people need to wake up and look around. The same policies and safety nets that are put in place to help urban democrats - poor and middle class, help rural people. It’s the rural voter that doesn’t want to be lumped in and side with corporations against their own interests.

[@corvacopia]

It’s a politician’s job to deliver the message to the communities they want to win. The Democrats used to do that to rural communities, they don’t anymore

[@elijahjarobi]

​@@corvacopiathey are reactionary and only care about the culture war

[@warrensenna6690]

How many rural hospital are closing because of republican policy Stop the nonsense

[@libbyzucker1832]

The rural areas also get massive agricultural subsidies, which they don't consider to be "welfare".

[@katejackson4142]

Democrats could never ignore red states as much as their elected republican officials. If I were to choose which red states are the safest to visit, it would be Iowa, Kansas, Austin, Tx maybe. Tim Walz already visited Nebraska and South Dakota.

[@Kentrosauruses]

FDR created thousands of Electric Cooperatives owned by the users of the cooperative. That’s literally democratic control over a means of production. And wheee did he do this? In rural areas that weren’t profitable for the big electric companies. These cooperatives still exist today. Socialism works for rural communities as much if not more than for the city.

[@ultimateinspector4901]

The message is universal. No one is ignored, they just don't listen correctly.

[@williambartholmey5946]

Keep telling 'em that. I'm sure it will work one these days and they'll start listening "correctly."

[@okpil22]

What is she doing to address the working class issues? She constantly talks about the middle class and strengthening it, but that is not the working class. Walz gets it and his messaging is much better, but he's not going to be the policy driver. Hope and joy only go so far without big policy items that demonstrate actual support

[@corvacopia]

The “middle class” isn’t universal; they can’t listen to things she’s not saying

[@anodyne57]

You must be trolling. I can't imagine anyone saying this out loud without a chorus of laughter ensuing. Read it back to yourself, in the voice of a spouse in the middle of a misunderstanding.

[@okpil22]

@@williambartholmey5946 throughout this comment section, you see "these people are too stupid to listen" which is exactly the problem with the modern Democratic party's views of the working class

[@Etatdesiege1979]

The people from Kentucky keeps voting against their own self interest. What can we do about it here in Illinois? It’s been 30+ years of McConnell and Ron Paul and his idiot son in the senate. They have a Democratic governor and the DNC has spend tons of money in campaigns in KY. I don’t understand that gripe other than grievance of the portrayal of Appalachia in popular culture. I just saw news of a sheriff shooting a judge in an a town in KY over a personal dispute. Maybe the stereotype has some base in reality?

[@brothermine2292]

In statewide elections and district elections where Democrats are sure to lose, Democrats should NOT run, to allow moderate independent candidates to run head-to-head against right-wing Republicans and win, with no Democratic spoiler on the ballot to split the anti-rightwing coalition. (Except in states that switch to a voting method that counts all the head-to-head majorities, since that would effectively eliminate spoiling. All of the head-to-head majorities can be counted by letting each voter rank the candidates in order of preference.)

[@tylermcfadden2000]

White dudes for Harris brought me here.

[@VocalMabiMaple]

Welcome welcome!

[@shadowoflugia]

It brought you to the Majority Report?? Interesting! Welcome to our wonderful “radical leftist” (as Trumpers would call us) space!

[@adamgibson473]

We will accept you as long as you apologize for your ancestors wrong doing.

[@VocalMabiMaple]

@@adamgibson473 lmao

[@sprockkets]

Won't someone think of those poor white guys and their privilege.

[@dashobi]

I understand the caller’s frustration, but she needs to also realize that KY voters are responsible for their choices also. It doesn’t make much sense to say you like the Democratic Governor but you vote in a bunch of state Republican legislators who blow up much of what the Governor wants to do. You also vote for Republicans at the federal level. I get that she feels Kentuckians are being looked at as stupid but they sure aren’t helping themselves any.

[@1newbert]

As long as the electoral college is mostly winner of take all, it will be foolish to spend large amount of resources in red or blue states. We are down to a few counties that will decide the elections.

[@lovemoviesful2]

Red states will vote Republican no matter what anyway, so I disagree. And because of the electoral college, of course they will aim at place that will matter. I live a in very red county, and even when there's a better candidate up for election, as long as it's not a 'R', they don't have a chance of winning.

[@lurx2024]

Dolly Parton is a shining example of the class and sensibility that can come from Appalachia.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

The history of Labour (or "Labor" for the States) includes a lot of significant movements, ideas, + battles coming straight out of Appalachia. If more of the anti-Pinkerton, anti-corporate actions were better known, they could identify that they live in a part of the world with a rich history of kicking back against the pr!cks.

[@lurx2024]

@@picahudsoniaunflocked5426 I, like a lot of my countrymen take have taken the labor (labour) movement, and the sacrifices that were made, largely for granted. I get most of my understanding of its history through the Nation magazine.

[@animalzer0]

I think it's a question of ROI. During the Obama administration, when they were trying to move away from coal, one of their priorities was offering job training for good jobs that people without college degrees could get and thrive. I know the program focused heavily on West Virginia, and a strong majority of the participants tried to use the program to learn how to be coal miners. If Dems try to reach out to folks and they remain unmoved, it raises the question why would they try to increase their outreach? Is there a policy position Kamala Harris could run on to win Kentucky in the 2024 election? And if not, why spend a lot of time and money trying to set up, say, 2032 for a big leftward shift in Kentucky, potentially at the cost of HAVING A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2032? Maybe that's hyperbolic, but if you think donald trump is a threat to American democracy (I do), then the conversation needs to be about beating him overwhelmingly in THIS ELECTION. That doesn't mean there isn't room for a policy reach-out to red state voters during a Harris administration, but today she needs to focus on what's going to help her in the next six weeks, and that doesn't include a big appeal to voters in Kentucky that are going to reject her anyway. But it does point to WHY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WAS A BAD IDEA, because if it mattered HOW MANY votes the losing candidate got in a state like Kentucky, candidates would campaign differently. The electoral college makes it irrelevant.

[@carladavis1473]

It's because you can't help some people. Leave them behind. Their racism keeps them stuck

[@Equality4All1987]

What do ya know... If politicians simply do things that benefit the MAJORITY of people, keep their promises, LISTEN to their voters, & NOT favor the smallest / wealthiest percentage of the population - they could win elections easily! Is this really so hard to figure out!? They have political advisors or strategist that get millions of dollars and it's a waste of money because they can't figure this out.

[@charlesandrews2360]

I completely disagree. A huge percentage of Union voters who support the Republican Party do so because of cultural issues. Not all of them and it's not because they are uneducated and don't understand how beneficial strong labor unions are.

[@exiledfrommyself]

It's a combination of cultural issues, sexism and racism and being uneducated. I've talked to many people on the job and they don't know what the NLRB is and how important it is to the labor movement.

[@charlesandrews2360]

@@exiledfrommyself I'm friends with a lot of people and have a lot of family who work for the railroads. They all are very well aware of what the union does for them and the various governmental agencies involved. They all vote Republican. They give bulshit reasons but I know firsthand that every one of them is a racist. If a union member doesn't want to be informed on Union matters then that's on them and means that their support for the Republican party is based on something else.

[@kingsfan2099]

Why did Appalachia overwhelmingly vote for trump when he was yelling about getting the coal miners back to work? Your faux outrage of being left behind is hilarious.

[@ZERO_O7X]

The dems completely forgot red states, especially the southern ones. Same goes for Republicans too. I live in Arkansas and nobody campaigns here. The dems don't think we matter and the reps don't worry about us because they've become accustomed to just getting our vote. We're a forgotten people and I love my state and wish they would focus on us a fraction of how much they care about other mostly rural states.

[@Priest84]

Same here, and I'm in Oklahoma.

[@JP_Names]

I was pretty shocked and excited when I heard they were even putting funding into my congressional district here in Iowa, and that's only because he was already doing incredibly well. I get targeted resources, but it would make so much more long term impact to invest in our states across the board to give us local leaders pushing their policy to show what they could accomplish on the national stage, not to mention countering all these awful anti-reproductive health and anti-trans policies so we aren't forced to hope that the feds might come in and save us after we're already in the most dire straits

[@im-here]

Arkansan here, very interested in supporting local leftists/progressives when i can. Been paying attention to city council, county and state reps. Also voting against rep steve womack for us house

[@ZERO_O7X]

​@@im-here Same. Also how disgusting is it how Gov Sanders recently did a rally for Trump in Michigan while ignoring us? Not that I'd ever vote for him or any republican, but the fact that she left our state to campaign for him there when she could have at least invited him here for it instead. It just goes to show how little she and the rest of the Republicans actually care about us. I'm not the biggest Kamala fan either, but I do really like Tim Walz and not even he will come here. We're a forgotten people and I know a lot if Arkansas lefties and am a member of the Arkansas chapter of the Satanic Temple.

[@joedouche3818]

When has red states ever cared about if Democrats remember them? did red states care about blue states during 2020 covid 19 epidemic? Nope! They cheered trump on to not send ventilators or mask. amazing people forget the wrongs they did.

[@LinaSanchez752]

I agree with everything the caller spoke about, in regards to Kentucky… except apply it to Texas. Misstep and arrogance at every turn. I will voted for Biden (who I wasn’t a fan of) over Trump and wouldn’t have voted to him again. Now there’s Kamala that I also don’t love… people are excited about Walz not Harris. Walz isn’t going to have a say in policy it’s just a shell game. Also, the fracking issue, I am a granddaughter of coal miners. Fracking in the hills of Southern Colorado (after decade of mining) has created the fling Michigan of the west!! I don’t know if I can keep voting for people who are “not Trump”, but offer no other qualities that I can get excited about.

[@cpussandfudgy]

People in red states didn’t flock to Trump despite his glaring flaws…his flaws are what attracted them. I don’t know what message Democrats are supposed to present to win these people over. Harris is smart for hitting red towns in swing states but campaigning in places like Kentucky would be a waste of time and resources.

[@CorbinsDedah]

Like someone said in this comment section, you gotta get younger Dems out in front of these people. Promote pro labor, how they can help rural voters (tout the infrastructure bill and how it has helped them), vilify the tariffs levied, and offer solutions where they live. I live in deep red Missouri, and yes, the average voter here is dumber than a rock, but they vote emotionally, and Republicans play into that, for good or for bad.

[@jamesmcelroy5830]

Saying that a teamster isn’t educated is a very ignorant thing to say. It takes skill to get a CDL License. To drive certain vehicles. It’s definitely not easy.

[@exiledfrommyself]

I work with them. They aren't educated. Most people on construction sites are not educated.

[@johnjingleheimersmith9259]

lmao. can't tell if you're joking or not.

[@donngu]

The electoral college system requires that we ignore them. It must go.

[@aheroictaxidriver3180]

The EC is a way to overturn the popular vote. That's all it is. YOUR COMPLAINT is with the way the EC votes are allocated. The fact that so many people get these two very different issues confused reflects VERY POORLY on the intelligence of the populace.

[@cblack3737]

I disagree. Bigotry is a huge part of this. What has Trump done for the working class? Besides rhetoric. What?

[@notreal-duh]

you know only about a third of rural folks actually vote, right? bigotry isn’t turning out the numbers. we could get people to turn out if we spoke to their actual material needs

[@exiledfrommyself]

​@@notreal-duhWhat are their needs that the Democratic Party is not addressing? These people are voting on social and cultural issues, not economic issues.

[@notreal-duh]

@@exiledfrommyself dems are shit on economic issues because they keep pushing liberal policies that only apply to middle class people who already have means. the value of trade work is severely devalued, and as someone who is working class i’m getting pretty fucking annoyed seeing kamala hand out tax breaks to all the middle class fuckers while proposing nothing substantial for the working class. neoliberal have a long history of neglecting the needs of rural and working class people because they’ve put the interests of big business first. they’re right that coastal elites are patronizing and don’t give a shit about their material needs. dems have just failed them over and over again, but somehow think “but we’re pro union” is going to be enough to get them to trust that we have their economic interest in mind

[@freeisalwaysme]

​@@exiledfrommyselfthey care more about making the libs cry. Then voting for their self interest.

[@willscasserra8439]

Emma is one of these people who doesn’t care about the fly over states and is pretending to calm this lady and it’s so nauseating

[@anthonypeasley7604]

If you think its bad democrats ignore red states now.. Imagine what it would be like if the popular vote determined elections

[@auntiedee9468]

Yea Kentucky! Missouri rural Dems are rising up too. We're Actively reaching out and supporting them. Not official campaigns, but people grabbing as much literature, schwag and signs we can get our hands on. We're sharing social media ads for state candidates so folks get more views. After the election, we're going for candidate training. With you, Sis.

[@KentuckyWildcat666]

Kimmy is absolutely 💯% right. Im a dem in KY. But not about Taylor Swift.

[@badboy1028]

You’ll never change those minds no point

[@cartilagehead6326]

This is what happens when you apply an investor mindset to things like politics and public services, you get elites disinvesting from areas that need more attention and resources rather than less because “the ROI isn’t as good”

[@SA-pj3fz]

I mean we saw in 2016 how democrats lost because they spent too much time and resources into Texas and Missouri. It doesn’t make sense to spend money in areas that aren’t receptive while republicans win over swing states.

[@milqueto4st231]

When she said "Farm bill" i heard "Farmville" 🙃

[@scottwhite2379]

The problem is the elctoral college model and lack of ranked choice voting.

[@leifmidgorden4615]

Best caller ever. I found myself saying "damn right" to everything, which hasn't happened in years.

[@joeb134]

I like this woman. I think southern democrats wanted Beshear with a passion because he represent us not this caricature thats pushed on us

[@robertkennedy9188]

I’m a Swiftie but also a Marcusian Marxist so very torn about what I’m hearing

[@mrdenson3101]

Nah, the main problem with Red States people is religion and medieval upbringings. Stop blaming democrats for everything 💙💙💙

[@okpil22]

No it isn't. Why were Democrats so popular with labor and the working class and now Republicans can 50/50 them? It is 100% the Democrat party's fault. Joe Biden actually did well to start moving back in the direction of labor Democrats, but Kamala does not give me that same hope

[@anthonyL77]

I understand why you have this view, but it’s much more nuanced than that. Republican voters, not the party - but its constituents - are not a monolith, in the same way that the democrat constituents aren’t a monolith either. There are a lot of people who voted republican, that voted for Obama before, as well as democratic governors, mayors, representatives, that ended up voting for trump. Many people, at the end of the day just want to be helped and will go to the party that more closely communicates that effectively than the other. There’s so many layers too it, media plays a large role as well, and who controls that etc, but to say all red states turned red because of religion and medieval upbringing is the point they are making, that the main party paints the image that way and further divides potential voters by villainizing them.

[@corvacopia]

Obama did better in those communities than Biden, why do you think that is?

[@JP_Names]

And that's the kind of attitude that makes people in red states resent Dems as elitists 😮‍💨

[@SA-pj3fz]

⁠​⁠@@anthonyL77I mean those same voters already think Democrats are demonic so I don’t see it dividing potential voters.

[@MG-lq8hx]

Kentucky gave us Mitch McConnell!😡

[@ocold-gp3oi]

"Why dont the Democrats spend more time and money begging for votes of people who have a 0% chance of voting for them instead of vying for the constituencies that will actually decide the election in the last two months of the campaign?" I think you guys can't hear yourself speak sometimes

[@lwo7736]

This woman screams "insecurities about intellect", no one on the left is calling her stupid, we are calling right wing ideas stupid. Which they are. Sorry if that triggers your insecurities

[@ibroasis]

Smh...they told you guys the dems say you are stupid, and you jumped to the conclusion that the dems think you are stupid.

[@jacebales2951]

This is extremely naive. She's right that Kentucky had always been a Democratic state through most of the 19th and 20th Centuries...but...so were ALL of the southern states. Kentucky is far from unique in that and we all know the reasons the old south was Democratic. It doesn't really mean much at all. She is right that a lot of the eastern Appalachian counties in Kentucky did remain 'Democratic' after the rest of the state started to become Republican. That was completely due to coal mining unions and Medicaid benefits. All of those people in Appalachia are still extremely socially conservative and I sadly think that's way more important to them than any of the rest of it. Guns and religion are more important to them than their Medicaid checks, etc. I know it's bizarre, but it's true. Furthermore, non-college educated rural white people are already egregiously overrepresented in both the Senate and the Electoral College. We see how that's worked out. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@claybadger]

Okay I just want to say Sam’s popup appearance after these videos is the greatest thing ever. 😂💙👍

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

It amuses me too but I still miss the song they played as the outdo for a while.

[@Julie-7605]

Wow. This lady should be a regular contributor to the show. She hit on why most of the electoral map is red. She also needs to be a Dem strategist. Over the last 8 years I have come to the conclusion accolades in academics does not equal good executive skills. I wish they would stay away from the Rhodes Scholar types and focus on supporting leaders who have show real world skills that are able to produce positive results for their constituency. I think bringing Oprah into the game has been a mistake.

[@WeAreAllWittness]

Why is the TMR trying to back track on what they have said about people without college degrees? They always looked down on people that don't go to college.

[@Whitty-rz7dj]

Energy production is important, but you can be warm and drive around, but if there isn't any food, you starve. Midwest states are very important, and we felt the pain of Trump's plan when he decimated farmers. The GOP is underestimating the "so-called" red states. Focusing on battleground states is a foolish move. Turning red states blue should be a focus, too. We're not stupid. We can change, and we will.

[@SA-pj3fz]

That was the plan in 2016 and that’s what led to Trump in the first place. The number of people in those states that will blindly vote for an R ticket is way too high and not worth spending money on.

[@aethionr4478]

Correct

[@alexandraday6721]

From Ohio and I absolutely agree that they desperately need to include red states

[@SA-pj3fz]

Disagree. That same thinking led to Democrats spending money and time on Texas and Missouri over the blue wall in 2016.

[@mrbarahona78]

To be fair I ignore red states too

[@TapeManX2]

The brilliance of releasing a video when fans might mistakenly expect the show to start but then realize its Saturday 👌

[@warrensenna6690]

What are you talking about? This channel drives me nuts. What have the Democrats done? The beginning you said that the Democrats said it in the '80s. What did they say? Please enlighten me cuz that's when I started to pay attention to politics long before you please specifically tell me when the Democrats said they're going to give up on Appalachia in Kentucky It's more like those people gave up on themselves by just voting Republican all the time. Please stop with the nonsense

[@corvacopia]

“For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia” -Chuck Schumer, 2016

[@warrensenna6690]

​@@corvacopia That means nothing People leaving Dem Because they get caught up in republican nonsense has nothing to do with Dem policy It's the same old scare them about the " others" Getting them all riled up There was one party in this country. Only one party that supports the people all the people and that's not the republicans it is the Democrats Problem of what this woman is saying is her and the people around her won't admit that Democrats are better for them than the Republicans

[@warrensenna6690]

​@@corvacopia I meant to reply on the site Not directly to you

[@alingus]

As a pioneering woman the TSwift hating, I agree I do love it when Emma gets a little dig in

[@robyndonaldson1307]

that’s why i like Gov Andy Beshear

[@BengtNordsten]

I live on the western border of Minnesota, and for years I have raised hell with state Democrats who hardly put any effort into reaching across the river to the main cities of the Dakotas - most of the ND's population is within walking distance! And I also point out that if they can learn to deal with the Dakotans, their connection with us blue-collar outstaters will improve, too.

[@Christopher_Culpepper]

It's disappointing and depressing in Alabama where the state Democratic Party is in damn near total disarray compared with the state GOP party. In this current house election, the Dems aren't even running candidates in 3 of the seven districts, in particular the 5th, which is the Huntsville area, which is the fastest growing city in the state. Even the federal case in which they finally got rid of a particular egregious case of gerrymandering in the 2nd, the bulk of the leg work was done by rank and file activists.

[@dirtymonkeymgb5247]

I agree that Democrats in the South are starved for the optimism! From Kamala Harris! It would be great to see her take a red state!

[@dannybagley9424]

Maybe this is why the media and the Harris campaign won't go to Springfield and address the immigration issue.

[@exiledfrommyself]

What's the immigration issue beyond resources which the Democrats would have no problem providing to Springfield?

[@notreal-duh]

i gotta say as a no-degree working class person who supports kamala, seeing how her policies are going to be a big boost for the richer people in my life while i get nothing is annoying as hell.

[@mat3714]

Because money is thing....

[@ralphburnette]

This caller is great. I would like to hear more from her about how lay ministers have impacted things in Appalachia.

[@Unimaginative.Moniker]

Candidates ignore the opportunities to flip states blue. Campaigning in a meaningful way ONLY happens in swing states is a disservice. EDUCATION is what it would take. Reps specifically avoid improving education bc of this fact. I'm in NC, so for the 1st time, my vote might just matter. Give that ability to us all.

[@organicmagic8822]

Yes, I have been thinking the same thing

[@matsal3211]

This is a video that should be clip and turn into a short, there’s so many vids of them that should be a short.

[@masonsmith5726]

I second that!

[@margelatul68]

Absolutely correct!!!

[@shiba-404]

Plus the working class too, not just "the middle class"... also muslim voters and people that don't want genocide😵‍💫...

[@ssinssg]

Kentucky is not going blue. Be fr. Blende the electoral college

[@Phoenix-nl2ut]

This caller gets it

[@frameandi]

Kentuckians are democrats, too :)

[@brianmarcum8306]

Bernie Sanders has spoken about this issue.He is an economic populist with values I am a Fred Harris Democrat.I think Tom Harkin was a populist too.

[@moyosoredada3109]

While they were buttressing her point, I think there is some thing ironic about her getting interrupted so they could get their rhetoric off