Alright, time to dog on my own side a bit. The other day I read an article on a lefty blog about a Denny's franchise owner taking out the election's results on his employees and customers. What really caught my attention were several of the comments posted to the article, basically trashing all chain restaurants and saying people that eat there deserve what they get. I'm not a Denny's fan, but these are dangerous, stupid assumptions to make that play into the conservative portrayal of elite liberals. (One commenter did, however, post a very snarky and effective counter.)
In recent decades movement conservatives have loved to portray liberals as latte-sipping, Euro car-driving, tofu-eating urban elites who have no concern for the lives and values of "real," mostly red-state Americans. (And conveniently ignore conservative elites who behave in much the same way.) Of course this is a massive generalization, but it is arguably a key component of their connection with rural white voters. So it really discourages me to see liberals playing into that stereotype. Sure, you can drive your hybrid to the local co-op for the latest organic hummus sale while alternately blasting Philip and Ira Glass. But don't turn up your nose at the people eating at Applebees on the way.
Not every NASCAR fan is a racist redneck. Not every hunter is a gun-nut militia member. Not every Wal-Mart shopper is a backwoods hick. I dare say that millions of people who do all of these things - and even grabbed a bite at Taco Bell in between - voted for President Obama. I know many myself. To have such a haughty attitude towards these Americans is stupid and only serves to drive them into the welcoming arms of Rush Limbaugh.
I firmly believe that rural white voters can be won over by progressives - see my post on the Sixth Great Lake for evidence that it's true. Conservative politicians and - especially nowadays - conservative media have spent decades persuading these groups to vote against their own economic interests by employing wedge issues such as abortion and gun control. (For more on this, read the excellent book What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank.) That tide might just be turning a bit. If Iowa can allow gay marriage, Minnesota can refuse to ban it, and Colorado can legalize marijuana, such wedge issues may be losing their effectiveness. For progressives to fail to seize this opportunity out of disdain for where these voters choose to spend their time and money would be a colossal mistake.
No matter how brightly red Kansas may shine, I will always identify myself as a proud Kansan. The state has a fairly progressive and populist tradition that has really only been hijacked since the early 90s - and since then we twice elected a woman Democrat governor. It's a long-term fight, but I believe the tide can turn. My small-town Midwestern heritage makes such an assertion possible.
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