Really interesting article George. I had a similar experience reading this to when I read Katherine Cramer's The Politics of Resentment, which also examines the role rural resentment plays in Wisconsin politics. Very insightful.

In particular, chapter one describes how the primary victory of Barry Goldwater for the 1964 election in many ways gave birth to what has since became the Republican playbook around the 'Culture War' type politics of today.

The entire book is fantastic and definitely worth a read.