<...Franklin County is just as far from the unsophisticated Red America as it is from the effete Blue America.

The "unsophisticated" Red America? Where would that be? Oohh, Red America snobbery! "OUR Red America is a lot more sophisticated than that OTHER Red America." Just kidding...

I think the point that Brooks was trying to make is that much of "Blue America"--more of a personality type than a locale in my opinion--subconciously sees "Flyover America" as a bunch of hicks with three teeth and some fairly decent banjo skills--when of course they are not Nazis wearing white hoods and chasing black people up trees. Whether Brooks was honestly astonished at what he found out in middle Pennsylvania, or was merely mocking the attitudes of his fellow "Blue Americans," is not that clear in the article.

I think for a real educational experience he ought to check out the real outback, and maybe spend some time in Wyoming or Idaho.

At least Brooks can bring himself to use the term "Blue American." The word "liberal" does not come easily to liberal writers.

I hope you read the other article too.