How do we start making gains in the deep red South? [View All]

We have to stop ceding this region to the Republicans. They kick our ass in the vast majority of House, Senate, Governor and state level races in pretty much every state in the old Confederacy. The outlook is only going to worsen as the region is set to pick up several Congressional seats in the upcoming reapportionment - seats coming at the expense of Democratic strongholds in the north and seats that will be reapportioned by Republican state governments.

So what do we do? How do we start connecting with voters in the South? Appealing to reason, intellect, common sense, pragmatism, human decency or issues simply do not work in this region given the big election wins of Rubio, Paul, Vitter, Isakson and the like. Are there any ideas out there? Do we start courting the youth and minority vote and make this a 20 year goal? Do we start focusing on the major metropolitan centers and then work outward? Do we co-opt some wedge issue to start changing minds? I honestly don't know and I would welcome any suggestions or ideas.