Tailgate Talks: Input from Rural Men
October 25, 2022
Subject: Engaging the Energy of the Rural Men in the 2020 Election Effort
Background: Some political campaigns and “Get Out The Vote” efforts seem to inadvertently take certain rural men for granted or ignore them. At this late date in the election season, quickly acknowledging and engaging them/us could tip the scales on November 8th.
Age-old problem: The Democrat Party in the South is based on urban areas because they are rich with voter potential and issues reflect that. However, Georgia has several subsegments and mixing these cross-cultures can be awkward. (Metro Atlanta, Next Five Cities, Rural Regional Hubs). The Rural Regional Hubs south of Macon included Tifton, Waycross, Americus, Bainbridge, Moultrie, Cordele, Thomasville/Cairo, Fitzgerald, Douglas, Dublin, Houston County and other county seats. These hubs are the business districts for a 20-mile radius.
Sanford Bishop/Jim Clyburn Supporters: These rural Black men are often Moderates on the political spectrum—truck and gun owners, church officials, military veterans, factory workers, coaches, football Friday night, Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, love cooking out, law-abiding, live in Lowes and Home Depot, beer, very old relax-fit Levis.
“I wear a cap, not a visor…..don’t sip wine….I drink Budweiser.”
Overlooked: Could it be that the urban based Democrat experts have little comfort level with rural Black men and that they feel overlooked. If not for Trump’s ugliness and the Neo Confederate vibe, these men would be open to Kemp’s pro-business climate because the national Democratic Party seems preoccupied with young men who have issues first rather than those who get up before daylight to legally do for their families.
Breakroom Talk: Rural Black men and rural people in general notice the unbelievable millions being spent on T.V. campaign ads and shake their heads—money down the drain. A fraction of that money could fund a hundred discussion meetups at local spots or cookouts.
Real Issues: Rural voters might not realize how pivotal this election season is. I wrote a list of 20 issues this summer and the list could serve as a discussion starter at actual events or at a web-based discussion series that involves our proven community connections and earned trust.
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