I'll start with some explanation of "out state".
Minnesota is extremely bi-polar with the metro area of the twin cities representing a majority of the states population while the "rural" areas have most of the land mass of the state. This creates a great deal of conflict because the population centers get most of the representation and therefore most of the available resources. There is also conflict with the values of each set of voters, but more after the jump
I have heard both Governor Dean and Senator Obama speak about the need to connect with the "rural" voter. I believe they have the right approach as they are using a platform of empathy that I feel is essential to swaying this voting block.
It is easy to ridicule and diminish the attitudes of these voters, and I have fallen victim to this as well. Thinking that these people are just too dumb to get it and if I slow it down and talk real slow I might get through. This is the worst attitude to have! It is the arrogance of the urban mind set that is the ignorant view.
We have to understand the values of this group and the actual value they represent. The Republicans have used them for decades as a reliable voting block. They have talked to the values of this group but really haven't delivered on any of the promises so there is alot of dissatisfaction that can be used. It would be a great mistake to follow the Republican play book. Just promising change without delivering won't cut it with this group. Remember the trouble Senator Obama had with the voters in Appalachia.
I believe the best way to reach these people is with respect. We have to learn to respect their contributions to our country. This should be easy but the stereotypes of the hick or hayseed run deep. We respect the Native American because of their respect for the land. That is exactly the respect we need to show for the rural population. They are closely tied to the land because it provides them their livelihood. We have lost that connection with the land as we have moved to the cities. We must realize as we transition back to a more sustainable lifestyle that we will have to reconnect to the land to be able to establish that lifestyle.
Getting to the politics, We have to understand that this group works hard most of the time and wants to get recognized for that effort. We can't fall into the trap of belittling the raw physical labor of the work they do. Working smarter not harder is not a concept that they want hear about.
So our outreach has to respect the culture of the land and the bounty it provides.
We should connect with them with the issue of sustainable farming and bringing more people back to the land.
Health care is another critical issue because hard work takes a great toll on the body.
Another issue we should work with is the preservation of hunting and fishing rights, including keeping our lakes and waterways clean enough to eat out of.
We can attack corporate greed because nobody can relate with the money that CEO's are making.
We can also try to find the niche markets and unique products that will help small business compete with the corporations.
Focusing on Governments role of providing the framework and infrastructure so people can make their own decisions regarding their lives.
We also need to understand the mindset that wants to punish laziness.
This is how the Republicans got their foot in the door.
Reagan's story of the welfare mom having kids just to get more money really resonated.
I think if we frame some of our tax increases on taxing the idle rich and wasteful ways of doing things will go far. We also need to reward conservation in all forms because that will get us to a sustainable lifestyle that much faster.
Empathy is the key. If we focus on the issues that affect daily life out here we can integrate the outstate group with the people that benefit from all the hard work that is done out here.
Thanks for your time
update
Al Franken has won his primary and now we move on to defeating Norm(never met a lobbyist that I didn't like)Coleman