Sherrod Brown notwithstanding, Ohio is clearly turning into a slightly red state–call it pink. The reasons for this are undoubtedly demographic. Unlike blue Illinois, Ohio isn’t dominated by a single enormous metropolitan area, and its population losses have taken place primarily in its medium-sized cities and suburbs. The rural residents are staying, and they vote for Republicans.
The swing voters in Ohio are white working men. How do the Democrats reach them? Here are some ideas:
1. Down with the plutocrats–up with unions! Spend lots of time talking about Trump’s faux populism, and how little he has actually done to help working people. That includes, of course, the tax cut and the composition of the cabinet.
2. Save Obamacare! Rising health care costs are a major concern here, as elsewhere. Talk about drug prices and Trump’s ongoing efforts to sabotage Obamacare.
3. It’s the Chinese, stupid. As I’ve noted before, the best way to pander to protectionists without doing any damage is to argue that Trump has made enemies of our friends, and to focus on his tactical failures in combating the Chinese.
The Democrats don’t have to win Ohio. At this point, it’s a bit of a luxury. It’s well worth trying, however, particularly if the economy stumbles between now and 2020.