Appealing to Main Street

I’ve spent so much time excoriating Hillary Clinton that I need to step back and remind myself who she is appealing to. In fact, the slash-and-burn technique she is currently using is part desperation, part a preview look at what her presidency would be like and part a reminder that Main Street America rarely elects a candidate on issues.

Most Americans do not have a college education, live paycheck to paycheck, want a better life for themselves and their children, and do not follow the nuances of politics closely. In fact, the limited political knowledge they do have is clouded by cynicism and memories of broken promises. I am absolutely not demeaning or belittling average, Main Street Americans – they work hard and deserve thanks and respect.

But Main Street Americans are not policy wonks like me, and probably you. In this economic climate, Hillary Clinton’s and John McCain’s ridiculous proposal to lower the gas tax will score points with them. Few of them will have the time to learn it will save an average family about $28, or the money will come out of funds to repair our highways and bridges, or the oil companies will never sit back and allow the government to rapidly raise taxes on their revenues. While most Americans should know this, they have lives to lead and are more concerned with the price of gas right now. It’s not necessarily their fault they don’t know this.

But when Hillary and McCain slam Obama for not supporting gas tax relief, it’s actually smart campaigning to do so. They know Obama’s explanation, as correct as it is, will unfortunately sail over many people’s heads. All his opponents have to say is, “Barack Obama doesn’t want to save you money at the gas pump. He’d rather it go into the pockets of big oil.”

Another X factor was correctly summed up in The New York Times this week: patriotism. Main Street Americans love America and many, unlike their city counterparts and the so-called “elite,” have actually fought for America. They do not look kindly on people who associate with preachers who scream, “Goddamn America.” Whether your next president wears a flag pin or not matters to many people. Some still believe Obama is Muslim, and Hillary has helped fuel the fire.

The Times article stated that only 29 percent of Americans believe Obama is “very patriotic.” The Republicans don’t have much going for them this year. Do you think they’ll make that a wedge issue? Of course they will. In fact, Hillary already has. This is not correct or fair, but it’s the way it is.

All is fair in love, war and campaigning. Now that Hillary has found her niche among Main Street Americans in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, she will ride the issues that matter to them as long as she can. Or at least until the polls say otherwise.