That Crazy Coalition

I don’t think James is wrong, necessarily, but if I can don my inside-the-beltway-elitist hat (a black bowler, complemented by a gold rimmed monocle, natch): To win the presidency, the Dems need to recapture Reagan Democrats–i.e. white, poorer, working-class folks. Folks who, and I don’t think I’m being overly provocative here, remain less enlightened, racially-speaking, than their upper-crust, hyper-liberal, Northeastern/West Coast counterparts in the Democratic party.

I know a few people matching that Reagan Dem description in a crucial swing state that shall remain nameless, lifelong party members all. It would be pretty easy for some shadowy, Rovian political operator to come up with a campaign narrative capable of driving them directly into the arms of the GOP. It would look a little like this: “You can vote for the American Hero who was tortured by the VC, dedicated his life to public service, and doesn’t get along all that well with Dubya [voiceover on top of beatific montage of McCain in Navy garb, VC prison, and on the campaign trail], or you can vote for the uppity Ivy League law professor [insert photo of Obama, preferably in the embrace of the good Rev. Wright]. Which is better for America?”

And this is the point Hillary is driving at. Again, I’d say you’re probably right about the vast majority of Democratic primary electorate, but I don’t think pundits should underestimate the subset of that population amenable to this kind of appeal.