Converting a Blue state to a swing state?

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by 62caddy

As a 48 year PA resident, I can vouch that PA is not easily categorized. On social issues, PA is mostly conservative except in large metro areas where it's more liberal. My hometown of Scranton is socially conservative but mostly democratic otherwise. Fiscal & social conservatives tend to suburban and rural areas. It's quite a hodgepodge we have here.

Same here in California. I suspect that it holds true in every state of the Union. Sorry if I was overly critcal of your suggestion that we would be interested in watching 2016.

[62caddy]

Originally Posted by bobabode

Same here in California. I suspect that it holds true in every state of the Union. Sorry if I was overly critcal of your suggestion that we would be interested in watching 2016.

You're probably right on there.

-No prob- all's good here.

[Boreas]

I actually think Maryland might be the most liberal state in the country. It's certainly the most liberal I've lived in, more liberal than California.

John

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Boreas

I actually think Maryland might be the most liberal state in the country. It's certainly the most liberal I've lived in, more liberal than California.

John

Perhaps. But it's probably at least a tie with Massachusetts, Minnesota and Oregon. The liberal parts of Maryland are limited to Montgomery and Prince Georges County as well as Baltimore City. All of western Maryland and the Eastern Shore are solidly Republican. The counties in between are all toss-ups.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Perhaps. But it's probably at least a tie with Massachusetts, Minnesota and Oregon. The liberal parts of Maryland are limited to Montgomery and Prince Georges County as well as Baltimore City. All of western Maryland and the Eastern Shore are solidly Republican. The counties in between are all toss-ups.

I thought about Oregon and Massachusetts but not Minnesota. Michelle Bachman? Jesse Ventura? And the DFL (Democratic Farm Labor Party) is a pretty odd duck.

You're right about Western Maryland and the Eastern shore but, as large as they are (in Maryland terms), they're pretty devoid of people. As large as they are, they only make up a single Congressional district each. The other 6 districts are crammed into what amounts to a third of the state or less.

And, of course, there are "red" parts of Oregon (eastern), Massachusetts (western and Mezz's house) and Minnesota (northern and southwestern). Every state is a mixed bag.

John

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Every state is a mixed bag.

John

Unless DC statehood goes through (which it won't).

[mpholland]

The funny thing about Oregon is that it's democrats are among the most liberal in the country and it's republicans are among the most conservative.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by mpholland

The funny thing about Oregon is that it's democrats are among the most liberal in the country and it's republicans are among the most conservative.

That's one of the reasons why I place Maryland ahead of Oregon. Maryland Democrats may not be quite far to the left as they are in Oregon but the Republicans in Maryland tend to be pretty moderate.

John

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Boreas

That's one of the reasons why I place Maryland ahead of Oregon. Maryland Democrats may not be quite far to the left as they are in Oregon but the Republicans in Maryland tend to be pretty moderate.

John

Generally true, but there's always Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), the survivalist Congressman from western Maryland. The recent Democratic gerrymandering has now put part of his district in northern Montgomery County with the hope of taking his seat.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Generally true, but there's always Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), the survivalist Congressman from western Maryland. The recent Democratic gerrymandering has now put part of his district in northern Montgomery County with the hope of taking his seat.

A bit of Howard too, right?

John