I get some of the cheapest electricity in the world living amongst the coal fired generating plants here on the Ohio River. Obama regulated two of six of these plants within 50 miles of me out of business. The loss of jobs and tax base for the tiny river communities dependent upon this industry has been devastating. Rural white towns, who cares? They’re probably all white supremists anyway.
“White” is code for Republican. Which is why “you ain’t black” - spoken by a Democrat who isn’t African-American to one who plainly is - can make sense to journalists and other Democrats.