Clinton Vists the South to Rally Support for Democrats in the midst of Midterm Elections

New York Times: In South, Clinton Tries to Pull Democrats Back Into the Fold
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/us/in-south-clinton-tries-to-pull-democrats-back-into-
the-fold.html?ref=politics&_r=0

 Presidential Candidate Hilary Clinton visited Kentucky this past week in an attempt to rally support for Kentucky Senate Democratic Candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes as she seeks to unseat Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Over the past few presidential cycles, Kentucky voters -- more centrist in political stance, have become somewhat alienated from the Democratic Party. Kentucky Democratic voters, largely composed of white working class Americans, were significantly opposed to the election of Barack Obama in the past two elections. Clinton, during the 2008 primary, led by as much as forty-nine percentage points over Obama. Furthermore, Grimes has consistently refused to disclose who she voted for in the previous election for reasons that some speculate relates to the lack of Obama's popularity in Kentucky.

The author notes how former U.S. President Bill Clinton's reputation in Kentucky is viewed quite positively in the South and how fondness for his policies and character are and have been a driving force in support for Clinton in this region. A tone of nostalgia embodies much of the discussion of sentiment for the Clintons in the South.

It is interesting to see how animosity for Obama and favorable perceptions of Bill Clinton interplay to shape voter sentiment in South. The angle with which the Democratic Party has sought to rebuild relations in the South appears quite rational. Focusing on platforms of workers rights and social programs seems likely to resonate amongst the Southern Democrats given the prevalent base of blue-collar workers.

I am uncertain as to how much of an effect Hilary Clinton's appearance in the South will have in this particular election. While voters in the region may be nostalgic for policies of Bill Clinton and supportive of the centrist platform Grimes has presented, it is still unclear whether this will be sufficient to unseat long-time incumbent Mitch McConnell.