West Virginia: How the Bluest State Became the Reddest

[Alekzander]

CHARLESTON W.V. - The American political landscape has changed a lot over the past 25 years but there is no more dramatic shift that the one that has pushed this state from deep blue to ruby red.
In the 1992 presidential election, Democrat Bill Clinton won West Virginia by a solid 13 percentage points. In November, Republican President-elect Donald Trump captured the state in a walk, winning it by more than 40.
The forces behind that turnaround are complex. The decline of the coal industry and the changing demographics of the political parties explain part of it. But laying underneath that are the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains that make West Virginia what it is:


read:http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/west-virginia-how-bluest-state-became-reddest-n697491

[yeoman6987]

1. I'll look forward to the next article

How the red state Virginia turned blue. I think we are in a changing United States where some red states are turning blue and some blue states are turning red. Hillary won 15 blue states this election. We only need 18 to win the presidency. The repugs are the ones that need more red states.

[spooky3]

3. +1

[madville]

6. Any interesting shift is also

How electoral votes get redistributed after each census. In 1980 NY had 41 votes, now it's 29. PA has gone from 27 to 20. TX used to only have 26 in 1980, now it's 38. FL used to only have 17, now it's 29. GA used to have 12, now it's 16. Etc, etc, etc.

[JI7]

9. although the increase in texas does seem to be because of dem leaning voters

Currently it helps republicans because of winner take all system.

[yeoman6987]

11. So true

I was born in New York and grew up in Pennsylvania so I always find the numbers interesting after censuses. It is a shame both are losing so much population. But as you say Florida and Georgia are the increases.

[oberliner]

2. They elected a Democratic governor

Who happens to be a billionaire.

The governor before him was also a Democrat.

[JI7]

10. and a Rockefeller for gov and senate

[kevink077]

4. God guns gays

They will vote to hurt themselves economically every time. They have to vote how Jesus wants.

[J_William_Ryan]

5. In essence, yes.

Fear of change, diversity, and dissent.

[oberliner]

7. The last four governors of the state have been Democrats

Including the one that was elected just this year.

[kevink077]

12. Far right dems--

Who would pass as conservatives in any other state. "Democrats" that run farther right than the conservatives.

[AllenJordan]

8. On the move.

Maybe folks are moving around, dying off, etc..