The topic of rural voters comes up frequently and you get the typical answers about infrastructure and healthcare.

The problem is all politics are tribal. People vote first on identity (despite claiming they don't) and then other issues.

We will never appeal to socially conservative voters and religious right types. But there is a segment of the white rurals and white working class that is more socially libertarian (especially amongst gen-x and younger) and we can get those voters as our socially liberal positions are not a deal breaker for them (many of them are pro-choice).

There is also a religious left message that we need to pound, like Biden did and like Warnock did in GA, about the moral implications of economic inequality, civil rights, etc. Don't let the RW claim the 'moral' mantle.

Illegal immigration and the perception that Dems are for open borders are hurting us the most across the board with all types of voters especially white rurals but also including Latino voters who are forced to compete for jobs and housing with the new arrivals. Latinos want a pathway to citizenship and DACA etc for those already here - they mostly do not want more immigration.

Guns hurt us in rural areas (even amongst the aforementioned non-religious rurals). We need gun policy that curbs gun violence where it happens most - in more densely populated areas - while mostly leaving law abiding rural folks (guns are part of their identity and way of life) alone.