Political science professor Tom Schaller and opinion writer Paul Waldman have figured out the threat to democracy. It’s us—rural white Americans.
In their new book, “White Rural Rage,” they lay out how we in the South pose a threat to this country because, in Schaller’s words, we are “the most anti-gay, xenophobic in the country. QAnon support and subscribers, COVID denialism, Obama birtherism.”
- Publisher Penguin Random House touts the book as “a searing portrait and damning takedown of America’s proudest citizens—who are also the least likely to defend its core principles.”
Last week, “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski was perplexed about how most white rural voters might choose Donald Trump over Joe Biden. When she pressed Schaller for answers as to why white rural voters disagree with her politics, he argued that our “problematic education systems,” “poorer infrastructure,” and “a lack of economic opportunity” left us open to the former president.
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I grew up in the Mississippi Delta during the Civil Rights era, graduated from the University of Mississippi, where I served as student body president, and have published an alt-weekly newspaper in the Florida Panhandle for 25 years. My family, friends, and readers might not agree with me on all issues, but I never doubt their love for this nation and willingness to defend its core principles.
The pact I have with my readers is that we can agree to disagree on Trump, Ron DeSantis, and dozens of issues, but I don’t attack their intelligence, faith, or passion. I may challenge some of their beliefs and positions, and they indeed challenge mine. However, we have a lively discussion that I hope pushes us ahead. It’s the dialogue that makes us stronger.
The majority in the Florida Panhandle are Republicans or independents. Trump appeals to many of them because the GOP has spent more time here than any Democratic national candidate. No Democratic presidential candidate has visited Pensacola in two decades, while George W. Bush, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Donald Trump have held multiple rallies.
The Democratic Party has abandoned rural white voters because its leaders would rather spend their time and money in heavily populated areas. Little effort has been made to know our part of the country and listen to our concerns. Their approach is top-down, and we’re too stupid to see how right they are about everything. They don’t want a dialogue with white rural voters, only steadfast followers who vote as told.
If Schaller, Waldman, or Brzezinski spent time at The Coffee Cup, Whataburger, or McGuire’s Irish Pub, they would see the rich diversity of the South. Any anger they might sense would come from years of being minimized and ignored by them, but they would also see our community’s commitment to free speech, a free press, and democracy.
To reduce all of us to a stereotype or caricature is the height of elitism. It’s why they repeatedly fail to connect with white rural voters.
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