Democrats need Southern strategyWHEN ROBERT KUTTNER describes my neighbors as "culturally conservative, white, working-class voters who may be gun-toting, abortion-hating, Arab-bashing, tub-thumping fundamentalists," he not only shows his contempt for his fellow citizens; he also shines a brilliant light on his own ignorance ("Kerry picked a winner," op ed, July 7).
As a native New Yorker and now a grateful Southerner, I realize that most Northeastern liberal elites hold the South in low regard. We "tub-thumpers" down here have come to expect this brand of juvenile, stereotypical portrait. What we don't understand is why such enlightened thinkers who preach tolerance and understanding to the great unwashed offer such raw abhorrence as their gospel and why this loathing is given prominence in a once great newspaper. If Kuttner's comments reflect the progressive movement in America today, then I, for one, want no part of it. This may come as a surprise to some, but it is not enough for the Democratic Party to include a Southern son to win our votes. That can only be accomplished with a political philosophy that mirrors our beliefs. But if Kuttner believes, as former presidential contender Howard Dean put it that the South is only interested in God, guns and gays, please buy this man some smelling salts. He is going to need them when the South, including Florida again, politely, but firmly, rejects the politics of division and hate.
GEORGE MORTENSEN © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
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