"White Working Class" voters? Wotta crock of BS that means NOTHING.

It seems like "white working class" voters is the new trendy demographic du jour. Just like once it was "Soccer Moms" and then "Security Moms."

There is no such monolithic entity as a "white working class" voter. The people who are white and working class are too varied for such a meaningless generalization.

Take me for example. In terms of education, profession and probably tastes and ideology, I might be called an "elitist." But the reality is that when it comes to income and my real-world problems and issues I am a White Working Class Voter. And when it comes to issues, I'm about as much of a Progressive Populist -- or Populist Liberal -- as you can get without being an anarchist or communist.....My political heroes are people like Wellstone, Sen. Bernie (he's the avatar photo) Sanders, Cong. Jan Schakowsky etc.

So I am part of the White, Working Class Progressive Populist Voters. That's just one subset.

IMO we ought to forget all of this over-generalizing AND under-generalizing.

Frankly, the White Working Class in the current context is just a polite code word for something else. STUPID FUCKING BIGOTED MORONS WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THEIR REAL INTERESTS.

Before you flame, let me emphasize -- I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ALL WHITE WORKING CLASS VOTERS FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

In reality people are a mix of qualities. The same individual may be an instinctive progressive populist on economic matters, but a cultural or racial bigot in other ways.

The fact is that in any group or coalition, you are going to have to put up with the good and bad and the mixed of people.

Which gets to my point. The Democratic Party should not obsess over capturing the "white working class voter" by glossing over populism, or by using Rovian codes or by wimpy fear or catering to the dark side of voters.

If someone dislikes ethnic, sexual, cultural or otehr minorities, but has the brains to at least recognize that we're all in this together, that's a starting point. The real goal should be to provide voters with a Clear Choice that is in their own self-interest and their idealistic side.

Let's not create this imaginary voting block and pander to their prejudices, fears, etc. Let's instead appeal to the common sense and higher angels of people, and try to win them over on that basis.

As for the ones who are too stubborn or dumb or mean-spirited not to recognize which partry is offering them the better deal, the strategy should be straightforward. Try, but if they can't be convinced -- Forget them and move on.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/20/115022/033/755/518926




EDIT: Subject typo.

Many -- if not most -- of those who supported Obama in Oregon were White Working Class voters. Just like those in Kentucky who supported Clinton were White Working Class voters.

I'm even going to paraphrase Sen. Clinton from a few years ago and say "screw 'em". I have no sympathy for people who cling to racism in an attempt to compensate for their disappointment in life. None. And I'll be damned if I'll pander to them. I'd rather lose the election.

To hell with them.