Most areas that swung Republican, were more anti-Obama than pro-McCain (Ark., Appalachia) and the home states Mass. and Ariz., but are there any areas where the swing was caused by McCain being a better candidate for the area than Bush?
Obama only won Long Island by a few points more in 08 than Kerry did in 04 , and it was a much smaller margin than Gore's 2000 numbers. 04 I think had a bit to do with 9/11, but McCain was a much stronger candidate than Bush around here. Its not a socially conservative area, and although Bush already had the primary pretty much locked up when it came to NY in 2000, McCain won both Nassau & Suffolk (only other county he won was Manhattan)
