Former Edwards and Graham strategist thinks Dean has Southern appeal

[unfrigginreal]

Others say: Don't underestimate Dean's Southern appeal.

"Dean is one of the best politicians of his generation," said former S.C. Democratic chairman Dick Harpootlian. "Last weekend, Dean put 400 enthusiastic people in a room in Columbia. Many were people I've not seen at Democratic events."

David "Mudcat" Saunders, a former rural strategist for Edwards and Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, has little doubt Dean can win the votes of rural Southerners despite the fact that, as Vermont's governor, he signed the country's only law allowing civil unions between homosexuals.

"I think Bubba loves his guns and hates NAFTA a lot more than he dislikes gays," Saunders says.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/7464484.htm

[Bombtrack]

1. southernors, white or black don't like NY/Vermont Yalies who stereotype

whether it's Dean having "soul" or wanting guys with confederate flags on there pickup trucks.

[slinkerwink]

8. then why did dean get 400 supporters in SC?

That turnout is unprecedented.

[loyalsister]

2. regional personalities

Being "southern" or "midwestern" is very much like being from a small rural state. This is where people relate to Dean.
It's a common understanding of things like knowing your neighbors, and being able to borrow tools if you need them. He has been talking about the "American community" and people in the south and midwest who are conservative in the sense that they think "the old days were better" can relate to that part of his message.

[janx]

3. This is true. It's less a provincial matter than a rural one.

Dean's very comfortable in rural situations. That was part of his appeal in Iowa.

[_Jumper_]

4. Can he convince the middle-class that they should pay more taxes?

?

[MIMStigator]

9. yes because hes people powered Dean

eom

[RevolutionStartsNow]

5. Interesting

and a few recent polls seem to indicate that Dean can hold his own in the south. He probably won't win in SC, but he doesn't have to.

[blm]

6. gee...too bad Dean moderated his gun stance.

He now "reluctantly" agrees with the Brady Bill and is for the Assault Weapons Ban.

The NRA can now run ads against him as worse than a gun control advocate, he's a former NRA guy who NOW panders to the left and switched his stance.

[oasis]

7. "switched" as in flip-flop?. Southerners don't cotton to double talk.