Vilsack's tough message for fellow Democrats: Stop writing off rural America

Shortly after the Republicans’ stunning Election Day sweep, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack grabbed Vice President Joe Biden in a receiving line.

Vilsack had an urgent message and he sensed that in Biden he would find a receptive audience. The two politicians had served together throughout President Obama’s eight years in office and had known each other for decades. Both are nearing the end of long and successful political careers, built on speaking to the ambitions and anxieties of white, working-class voters who turned decisively for Donald Trump in this election.

“We need to speak more directly to our folks in rural America,” Vilsack recalled telling the vice president. “And we have to spend time there.”

http://www.startribune.com/vilsack-s-tough-message-for-fellow-democrats-stop-writing-off-rural-america/403410866/