On the ground

According to a new poll, Rural America is beginning to look for an alternative to the Republican Party. This could bode well for our local races this year in Delaware County. From the Center for Rural Strategies:

This research shows ongoing problems for the Republican party, propelled by a strongly negative view of the Bush administration, doubts about the war and, arguably as important looking ahead, a broad sense of economic frustration and economic squeeze in this part of the country. Rural America sees the rest of the country prospering; their assessment of “rural America” is less sanguine.

The outcome likely depends on each party’s ability to speak most compellingly and most credibly to some of the every day issues in rural life. The rising costs of living – particularly in terms of fuel costs, a huge issue here where families drive more and further for jobs and to meet the needs of daily life – and dwindling economic opportunity drive much of the agenda in rural America.

[snip]

The Center for Rural Strategies will continue to monitor developments in rural America in the 2008 cycle and, as important, will continue to explore realities of rural life as well. This survey shows a very competitive political environment, the kind of environment that will likely attract the interest of politicians and policy-makers throughout the country. Our look at life in rural America suggests, however, that more attention needs to be paid. These communities are struggling, even in the face of national growth. The party or candidate that can most credibly speak to that reality will likely succeed in 2008 and beyond.

If our local Democratic candidates are able to address the realities of the our local economies and provide ideas to help revitalize them, then we could see gains at both the town and county levels. The Delaware County Democratic Committee has an advantage in that we have a resident expert already “on staff” to develop these ideas.