Don't Disparage Vance.

The article discusses the author's experience debating JD Vance, the author of "Hillbilly Elegy," and warns against dismissing him outright. While Vance holds controversial views on issues such as abortion, immigration, and climate change, he also demonstrates progressive populist tendencies by working on legislation to benefit working Americans and advocating for issues like rail safety and lower drug prices. The author argues that Democrats should offer a genuine populist alternative that respects working people and opposes corporate influence, while rejecting xenophobia and divisive rhetoric. Inclusive populism, which unites people of all backgrounds against elites, is seen as the counterweight to ethno-nationalist populism. [Extracted from the article]