Winning the rural vote has usually been a safe bet for Republicans. This election, pollsters say Democrats are likely to do better in rural areas in battleground states, making it a much more competitive environment. Bill Greener, a Republican pollster, says it means rural America will be looking to hear about specific reforms from the candidates. The candidates, he says, are “obligated to do more than just sprinkle homilies about rural America”. Greener made the comments at the National Rural Assembly in Washington, DC. Rural leaders from across the country came to the Capitol for the three-day conference to draft federal policies they plan to pitch to House and Senate leaders. Healthcare, energy and broadband legislation were the most talked about priorities. Sixty million people live in rural areas. The cost of gas and groceries is significantly more important to rural voters this election than Iraq, according to a recent poll. Advocates also questioned Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, who spoke on behalf of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, on McCain’s promise to veto spending bills that contain earmarks. They say rural areas stand to lose about ten billion dollars if earmarks are eliminated from federal policy. Brownback responded by saying earmarks have gotten out of hand, with many political leaders abusing the process.