Final answer:
The rhetorical strategy used in the sentence "Here in California, we're surrounded by ultra-liberal wingnuts" is name-calling, which is a form of ad hominem attack. Name-calling involves using derogatory labels or terms to discredit or belittle someone or their ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rhetorical strategy used in the sentence "Here in California, we're surrounded by ultra-liberal wingnuts" is name-calling, which is a form of ad hominem attack. Name-calling involves using derogatory labels or terms to discredit or belittle someone or their ideas. In this case, the speaker uses the term "ultra-liberal wingnuts" to dismiss and demean those with liberal viewpoints.