This idea of social liberalism and West Virginia isn't what everyone is making it out to be. Yes, the nation is moving in a direction more aligned with social liberalism while West Virginia isn't moving much at all. But the reason why the Democrats are falling apart in West Virginia isn't because of abortion and gay marriage, it's because of communication. The typical new socially liberal Democrat from an urban milieu is having trouble speaking to people in small coal towns in places like West Virginia without sounding condescending. Just because there are a lot of pro-choice West Virginians doesn't mean they'd vote for Wendy Davis or Sandra Fluke. The Democrats struggles in WV are about the way they portray themselves and the way they portray the Republicans. The national Democratic Party sells itself as an enlightened, educated, urbane group more "forward-thinking" than everyone else. West Virginia is much less of a socially conservative state as it is an anti-elitist state.
You pretty much nailed it! Great post!
WV is not Alabama. I mean, Shelley Moore-Capito is Pro-Choice and is the GOP's establishment pick for the Senate. She connects with the feels in WV better then Tennant, at least for now.
