Broader inclusiveness is the main difference between North Carolina Democrats and North Carolina Republicans, according to Wayne Goodwin, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

That diversity gives Democrats an advantage that must be used to grow and improve the Democratic Party so it can attract more supportive voters to the polls to elect more Democrats to office at the local, state and federal levels, said Goodwin in an interview after he spoke at the Beaufort County Democratic Women’s meeting earlier this week.

“There are many notable differences between North Carolina Democrats and North Carolina Republicans, one of which is that the North Carolina Democratic Party is the party that truly reflects and represents how North Carolina looks. We are a diverse party in every respect. Yes, we can do better. That’s why I am returning to eastern North Carolina, rural North Carolina,” Goodwin said. “Our party leadership, our party organization, our party platform is focused on helping the beautiful diversity of our state. We believe in one North Carolina. The North Carolina Republican Party tends to focus on very narrow social issues or very narrow economic proposals that may be appealing, but in the long run the very purport to help get stuck with the bill instead of everyone sharing whatever burden or benefit.”

Diversity is one of the nation’s greatest strength’s, he said. “That is why we’re seeing this great discussion right now — what does it mean to be American. We are strong because of our diversity. That’s always been the case. It’s unfortunate in this day and age that matters which we though had been resolved are on the radar again as to divide us. The Democratic Party is about unifying people, not dividing us against each other.”

Goodwin said that diversity is evident when watching each party’s spokesmen on news outlets such as FOX News, CNN and others. Republican spokesmen tend to be older, white men, he said. Democratic spokesmen tend to include more women and more “people of color,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin explained why he believes women are attracted to the Democratic Party. “In our platform, we take a very strong stance on gender equality and breaking glass ceilings, standing for those policies that strengthen families, provide the best education, gender equity in pay and women’s rights. … The Democratic Party has become a party that is about supporting equal treatment, equal pay, equal opportunity,” Goodwin said.

The Democratic Party has more work to do when it comes to increasing opportunities for women, he said. “It is vital that both parties do what they can to move us forward on women’s rights. I believe the Democratic Party has done a profoundly better and different job than the Republicans have done,” Goodwin said.

While in Washington, the North Carolina Democratic Party made a video announcing the Rural NC Listening Tour that features Goodwin. The video, made on the Washington waterfront, said the tour will focus on “communities that have been left behind by today’s economy and will include honest discussions about the priorities of rural North Carolina and how Democrats can earn their vote this fall,” according to a news release. The tour is a series of town hall-style meetings.

The next tour stops are March 6 in Wilson County, Pasquotank County and the Outer Banks. Other tour stops are being planned for later in March in the southeastern part of the state.

To view the video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLzmDLUcSA0&feature=youtu.be