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View Full Version : Why were Western states always hardcore Republican? Historically




AgentforPathfinder
06-27-2013, 02:55 PM
You'd think when the Southerners were all Democrats (following behind WJ Bryan and the populist agrarian interests) the Midwestern and Western states would be too. But it appears that in most elections since the early 1900s, they are solid red, though there are exceptions. Does anyone know why this is? My only guess is because they are sparsely populated and full of military bases, and career military has always been Republican from Lincoln to Bush.

heavenlyboy34
06-27-2013, 02:59 PM
flyover country folk get more welfare from the GOP. Lots of military here is a factor as well.

CPUd
06-27-2013, 03:27 PM
If you are looking at electoral maps, you have to pay attention to the source and the color keys they use. Democrat states are not always colored blue, especially in older documents.

Here's an example:

http://uselectionatlas.org/IMAGES/time-election-map-1996.pdf