Previously, Democrats would get 35-40 per cent of the vote in rural areas. Then it was 25-30 per cent. Now there are some areas where President Joe Biden received less than 20 per cent of the vote in 2020. AFP
Previously, Democrats would get 35-40 per cent of the vote in rural areas. Then it was 25-30 per cent. Now there are some areas where President Joe Biden received less than 20 per cent of the vote in 2020. AFP
Previously, Democrats would get 35-40 per cent of the vote in rural areas. Then it was 25-30 per cent. Now there are some areas where President Joe Biden received less than 20 per cent of the vote in 2020. AFP
Previously, Democrats would get 35-40 per cent of the vote in rural areas. Then it was 25-30 per cent. Now there are some areas where President Joe Biden received less than 20 per cent of the vote in

Democrats fighting a losing battle in rural America


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The Democrats are in deep trouble in rural America, and as the US midterm elections approach, the party’s support in the country's heartland is plummeting.

Already struggling to hold on to the House of Representatives in the November 8 elections, the Democrats could be dealt a fatal blow by rural voters.

If the elections go as badly as some polls have predicted, President Joe Biden could face two years as a lame duck: powerless to legislate and held hostage by a resurgent right-wing Republican Party.

In the 2020 presidential election, Mr Biden secured 194 rural counties. Compare this to Bill Clinton winning more than 1,100 in 1996 and Barack Obama capturing 455 in 2008.

The situation has since worsened, with Glenn Youngkin flipping Virginia last year to become governor, running up a massive 27-point lead in the most sparsely populated parts of the state.

Mr Youngkin’s victory underlined how Republican attacks on Democrats as representatives of the “coastal liberal elite” have hit home.

Some lay the blame with Chuck Schumer, currently the party’s Senate leader who, in 2016, argued the Democrats should focus on the suburbs rather than the rural hinterland.

“For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin,” he said.

Pennsylvania Senate race — in photos

Experts believe the strategy — and the leftward drift of the party — has done huge damage.

“The brand of the party has become more and more toxic in rural areas,” Robin Johnson, adjunct professor of political science at Monmouth College in Illinois, told The National.

“Candidates running — even those who are moderate — are being attacked because of the D behind their name, which is becoming quite harmful to their chances.

“It’s happening more recently, especially in the [Donald] Trump years. The Democrats are haemorrhaging numbers to such an extent the floor is bottoming out.”

Previously, he said, Democrats would get 35-40 per cent of the vote in rural areas. Then it was 25-30 per cent. Now there are some areas where Mr Biden received less than 20 per cent of the vote.

“In a lot of these rural counties, it makes a difference. It did for Trump in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in 2016,” Mr Johnson said.

“The Democrats stopped investing in rural areas — they put their money into urban areas. They stopped reaching out and these are the results.

“A lot of the races will be really close and rural areas will play a role and, in some cases, put the Republicans over the top.”

What are the US midterm elections and why are they so important? — video

Christopher Galdieri, professor of politics at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, also identified the long-term trend.

“In rural areas, the Democrats are so far in the hole. They used to win seats in places like the Dakotas and Montana, but that is not the case anymore,” he told The National.

“Part of it is redistricting, with rural states packing Democratic-leaning voters into districts with few rural voters.”

Redistricting is the process of dividing or organising an area into new political districts for the purpose of better representing a population.

“The population is whiter in rural areas than it is in urban areas, so a candidate that can win New York City or Philadelphia is not going to play so well in rural New York or Pennsylvania,” Mr Galdieri said.

“Then there are cultural issues. The big one is guns. But you also have, for the want of a better term, identity politics.

“A lot of voters in rural areas view cities and those who live there with suspicion or even hostility. If people think you are the party of the urban elite, it’s going to be harder to win these folks over.”

Mr Johnson added: “Democrats should concentrate on issues like the economy rather than social issues which divide the nation. They should try to rebuild the brand from the bottom up.”

Democrats are hunting for a solution, although time is running out.

Campaign signs are posted before the midterm elections in Houston, Texas. AFP
Campaign signs are posted before the midterm elections in Houston, Texas. AFP

Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and a clutch of Democratic politicians including five members of the House of Representatives produced a report last year focused on how the party could win on Donald Trump’s turf.

Her approach required a lot of shoe leather, shadowing constituents at their jobs, meeting voters when they did their grocery shopping and knocking on a lot of doors.

Cindy Axne, a US representative from Iowa, said Democrat candidates should focus on newspapers and radio stations.

“When the majority of my counties tune into Fox and other conservative media, it’s important to bring the message to them,” she wrote.

“I do four weekly/biweekly radio shows in four different rural counties that reach people at their kitchen table and in the cab of their combine.”

Mr Johnson concurred with this mode of operation, saying: "[Democrats] need to train people to canvass properly and also take out advertising in local papers and radio stations even in off-years.”

The message appears to be fight local, avoid cultural issues and focus on the “kitchen table” concerns that resonate with voters outside the big cities.

For Elissa Slotkin, a congresswoman from Michigan, the key is local knowledge.

“I sometimes feel like I’m running for mayor in hundreds of small towns and cities at once," she said.

Trump pick for Ohio senate JD Vance gets into hot debate about 2020 election — video

EA Sports FC 25
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Tu%20Jhoothi%20Main%20Makkaar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELuv%20Ranjan%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Shraddha%20Kapoor%2C%20Anubhav%20Singh%20Bassi%20and%20Dimple%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

Price, base / as tested Dh207,846 / Dh220,000

Engine 6.2L V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 420hp @ 5,600rpm

Torque 624Nm @ 4,100rpm

Fuel economy, combined 13.5L / 100km

Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

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%3Cp%3E1984%20-%20Apple%20unveiled%20the%20Macintosh%20on%20January%2024%3Cbr%3E1985%20-%20Steve%20Jobs%20departed%20from%20Apple%20and%20established%20NeXT%3Cbr%3E1986%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20Macintosh%20Plus%2C%20featuring%20enhanced%20memory%3Cbr%3E1987%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20Macintosh%20II%2C%20equipped%20with%20colour%20capabilities%3Cbr%3E1989%20-%20The%20widely%20acclaimed%20Macintosh%20SE%2F30%20made%20its%20debut%3Cbr%3E1994%20-%20Apple%20presented%20the%20Power%20Macintosh%3Cbr%3E1996%20-%20The%20Macintosh%20System%20Software%20OS%20underwent%20a%20rebranding%20as%20Mac%20OS%3Cbr%3E2001%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20Mac%20OS%20X%2C%20marrying%20Unix%20stability%20with%20a%20user-friendly%20interface%3Cbr%3E2006%20-%20Apple%20adopted%20Intel%20processors%20in%20MacBook%20Pro%20laptops%3Cbr%3E2008%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20MacBook%20Air%2C%20a%20lightweight%20laptop%3Cbr%3E2012%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20MacBook%20Pro%20with%20a%20retina%20display%3Cbr%3E2016%20-%20The%20Mac%20operating%20system%20underwent%20rebranding%20as%20macOS%3Cbr%3E2020%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20M1%20chip%20for%20Macs%2C%20combining%20high%20performance%20and%20energy%20efficiency%3Cbr%3E2022%20-%20The%20M2%20chip%20was%20announced%3Cbr%3E2023%20-The%20M3%20line-up%20of%20chip%20was%20announced%20to%20improve%20performance%20and%20add%20new%20capabilities%20for%20Mac.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY

Wimbledon order of play on Tuesday, July 11
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Centre Court

Adrian Mannarino v Novak Djokovic (2)

Venus Williams (10) v Jelena Ostapenko (13)

Johanna Konta (6) v Simona Halep (2)

Court 1

Garbine Muguruza (14) v

Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)

Magdalena Rybarikova v Coco Vandeweghe (24) 

RESULT

Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City:
Jesus (9')

Why are you, you?

Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.

Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.

 Ben Okri,

Updated: November 02, 2022, 3:00 AM