How can Dems improve with rural whites?

[Agonized-Statism]

First, wait for Trump to go, because he has a quasi-religious hold on a decent chunk of that demographic, then exploit divisions among his successors and campaign on a solid plan that will improve material conditions for everyone. You can't expect to be winning big with both environmentalists and those whose livelihoods it targets, for example, but you can plainly and clearly explain what sorts of things you'll do for them (retraining, slower timetable on adoption of renewables, whatever). You can't make these goofy Millennial art style videos with some young woman lecturing the viewer on why individuals need to be punished with straw bans, you need to tell the people they're getting screwed over and rally them against those in power. Gretchen Whitmer's "fix the damn roads" is a good example.

Democrats could also benefit from messengers identifying with and identified with trusted groups (petit bourgeoise, military, churches, etc.) to better navigate the post-truth landscape. Elizabeth Warrens won't cut it. Democrats are a diverse party and need to make that clear with a diverse range of messengers, and in the case of rural whites, those messengers can't be Ivory Tower types trying and failing to act country. Finally, sell the Democrat platform from an angle that appeals to that demographic- appeal to their morality, appeal to their love of community, appeal to their desire for stability.