Rural Voter Discontent: Harris for Blue Bloods Over Blue Collar
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Key Takeaways
- Democratic voters outside urban areas feel increasingly alienated from Kamala Harris’s campaign.
- Non-urban Democrats frequently criticize Harris as being "elite" and "out of touch," with a sentiment analysis showing 70% of comments are negative.
- Linguistic patterns show rural voters often use third-person language to discuss Harris, underscoring a detachment that amplifies feelings of exclusion.
Our Methodology
Demographics
Democrats
Sample Size
20,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
7 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
In the final stretch of campaigning, Harris’s campaign trail footprint is heavily focused on urban areas and issues. Democratic voters say rural and suburban areas are feeling overlooked. This urban focus drives a sentiment of disillusionment and skepticism among non-urban Democrats, who frequently feel disconnected from Harris’s platform.
I love that Kamala Harris is doing an event in Mercer County, PA! This is deep red territory. Donald Trump won it by 25 points. It’s all about the margins. If she can bring it down to 20 points and keep her margins in Philadelphia, she wins PA, and thus the White House! pic.twitter.com/jdR9Zd23gV
— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) September 5, 2024
The Forgotten Democrat
MIG Reports data shows feelings of disenfranchisement, with up to 70% of Democratic comments in non-urban areas expressing negative sentiment toward Harris.
They use terms like "liar," "elite," and "out of touch" to describe her, saying she prioritizes the interests of urban elites over those of average Americans. Only about 10% of comments reflect positive sentiment. These highlight Harris’s potential for representation, though they’re greatly overshadowed by critiques.
Approximately 20% of comments contain a mix of approval and disappointment, indicating a nuanced struggle among some Democrats who appreciate her achievements but feel alienated by her focus on urban-centric issues.
- FEC data shows Democrats raised more than $1 billion, with the highest donations in coastal states with large urban populations.
- This is compared to Republicans raising $565 million in a wider scattering of geographical donations.
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Nuanced Criticisms
Several anomalies add depth to these findings. Rural and suburban voters often critique Harris’s identity as a woman of color, associating her rise with elite endorsement rather than grassroots support, which they see as alienating. They reference her ascendence to the nomination with words like, "hand-picked" and "elite politics,” highlighting discomfort with her establishment involvement.
Language
Linguistic there is a prevalence of third-person language, even in supportive comments. This suggests a passive engagement that may indicate shallow connection to Harris’s campaign. Urban supporters often use first-person pronouns ("I" and "we") to voice optimism, reflecting personal identification with her campaign.
Conversely, rural and suburban critics lean toward third-person language ("they" and "them"), which reflects detachment and a sense of alienation. This split is pronounced, with around 60% of non-urban comments using third-person references, emphasizing the ostracization this group feels from the party.
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The Economy
Non-urban Democratic voters often cite economic concerns such as inflation and taxation, criticizing Harris’s policies as insufficiently addressing their financial struggles. This economic critique is an anomaly, as Democratic support is generally strong for Harris on economic issues. Voters in middle America and rural and suburban communities say Harris’s policies do not address reality.
Messaging
The communication style of Harris’s campaign adds to these frustrations, with many non-urban Democrats finding her language divisive. They say it reinforces the urban-rural divide within the Democratic base.
Harris’s style has led to increased demands for unity and respectful dialogue. Ultimately, Harris’s urban-centric approach, combined with perceived elitism and divisive rhetoric, intensifies discontent among suburban and rural Democrats.
This sentiment presents a critical obstacle to broader Democratic support, suggesting Harris's ability may not be strong enough to unify the party’s diverse voter base.
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