I don't think me or anyone else is arguing to ignore the state when campaigning. No one is saying that. However, you're talking about "seizing an opportunity" on a story about conservatives and conservative-leaning folks voting for Trump, the very people Democrats cannot reach by design, in the same way Republicans cannot reach, say, black folks by design.I'm not saying compromise on issues or water down your message. But don't just IGNORE the shit going on here. It's not just about "winning over" people, either; there's no way to counter the things the GOP have done to rig the system in their favor in these areas without actual representatives. And again, as stated before, Iowa is a swing state.
Their declarations of "never voting for him again!" ring hollow when the cards were laid bare during the election. They weren't duped. They weren't swindled (and I'm honestly tired of this narrative because- again- groups who are worse off than conservative whites in most metrics, including education, still have enough basic knowledge and common sense not to vote for Republicans; imagine that shit). They heard what he had to say and agreed with it. And they would be fine with him continuing his reign if the trade wars hadn't started up due to his ridiculous ego. And they will once again bust out the flags and the nationalistic chants when another Republican tyrant comes along that just so happens to not be as batshit crazy as Trump is, because that day is inevitable assuming we haven't all gotten fried by global warming by then.
You don't have to ignore the state. But at the same time, this specific group of people are a lost cause.