By Sean Reagan

*SEE UPDATE BELOW*

Looking at the Netroots Nation agenda makes me wish I could clone myself. There are so many great panels and speakers featured that being forced to choose between them feels cruel and unusual indeed.

But for those of you still picking and choosing I’m going to make a pitch for Friday morning’s discussion panel, moderated by RuralVotes’ Deb Kozikowski, entitled “Rural America & The Progressive Movement.” I’ll be there, humbly sharing the microphone with a phenomenal group of rural political thinkers and activists.

Jim Slattery, who’s taking on incumbent Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, will be there. Jim Dean – Howard’s brother and chair of Democracy for America, is joining us. And author Bill Bishop, co-author of “The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart” which is being championed by Bill Clinton, will also be on hand.

Together, we’ll look at the slow blue tide washing over the country and consider how rural voters and constituencies are increasingly key elements of progressive majorities. How do we reach these voters? What are the issues to which they rally?

Take a look at the map (commissioned by RuralVotes) below. Rural is an increasingly prized demographic. Gore and Kerry lost rural America by 16 and 19 points respectively. In May, McCain held on a 9-point lead on Obama. If we think of rural America as a Republican bulwark (we shouldn’t), there’s more than a few cracks in the wall.

Consider Wyoming. It’s not the first state you think of in terms of Democrats winning statewide races. But Gary Trauner, who narrowly lost in 2006, currently leads Republican Cynthia Lummis in their race for the state’s sole U.S. House seat. Key to Trauner’s momentum is the 26-point lead (58-32) he holds amongst independents. And this is a state where Bush trounced Kerry by forty points in 2004! I call that reason to take hope.

Another case in point is popular Montana governor Brian Schweitzer. He’s a walking case study for how Democrats can make inroads amongst constituencies – gun owners and anglers, say – without sacrificing core values.

Does all this mean that Wyoming is going blue this year? No. But on the other hand, Trauner’s success does speak to the ability of Democrats to carry their message into regions heretofore written off as inaccessible. Dean’s – and by extension, Obama’s – fifty state plan isn’t a pipe dream.

So if you’re still making up your mind what panel to attend on Friday morning in Austin, swing by Room 18D. We’ll save you a seat.

*UPDATE*

Bill Luckett, Executive Director of the Wyoming Democratic Party politely takes me to task in the comments for not being more upbeat about Trauner’s chances this year.  Wyoming, he says, will certainly go blue in the Congressional map and could even flip on the Presidential one as well.  That kind of enthusiasm is infectious!

Bill also points out that rural friends and neighbors talking amongst themselves is the cornerstone for electing Democrats.  He’s right on.  I’m sorry we won’t see him in Austin this week.  But you heard it here first, folks – Wyoming’s going blue this year.  No ifs, ands or buts about it.

Posted on July 16th, 2008 by seanreagan
Filed under: Media, Rural Issues