To those Democrats who care why they have not been competitive in the so-called heartland, and most particularly the South, let me offer some advice that has nothing to do with political philosophy.   As a libertarian leaning independent, I am not above to give you advice about moving your party to the right or the left - I will let you figure that out on your own.  Instead, let me offer five common sense points as to how to be more competitive here:

1) Stop nominating northeastern liberals.  It is not working, clearly.   When the Democrats have won the presidency recently, they have had candidates from outside the northeast.   Ever heard the expression "does it play in Peoria?" - let me assure that these candidates don't.   Which leads me to point number 2...

2) Don't nominate senators.   We have not elected a sitting senator in this country in a very long time.  Governors win, senators do not.   If you want to get killed in 2008, by all means nominate Hillary Clinton (northeastern liberal senator).  If you want to win, look at Bill Richardson (governor from the southwest).

3) If you want to win in the South, compete there.   I am amazed at all of the talking heads and people on the coasts who are so dumbfounded that the South was so solid for Bush.  Duh.   Kerry did not even compete here and publicly admitted that he thought he could win without carrying a single state in the South (except FL, of course).   According to some commentators and coast residents, the South somehow turned on the Democrats when, in fact, the Democrats never even bothered to acknowledge this area.  Which leads to number 4....

4) Stop insulting the South.  Yes, this area is different than San Francisco, Chicago and New York.   It is a wonderful mix of wide open spaces and bustling cities.   We know we are different than you - it does not make you better, however.   I understand the anger on the left with regards to the elecions, but calling us backward, homophobic, racist, etc. will not make you a lot of friends here. 

5) Stop denigrating those who think "values" are important.   Not everyone who is concerned with the "God, gays and guns" issues is a toothless redneck.   No one expects the Democrats to adopt the Republican positions on these issues, but stop sneering when people mention values issues.   Stop saying evangelical like it is a disease - many of your African-American supporters are, in fact, evangelical.  Explain and defend your position on these issues and other "social" issues without being condescending.  We can accept that there are other opinions than our own - we do not like being talked down to.

I guarantee that by at least trying a couple of these, the Democratic party will be much more competitve in the South in 2008.