West Virginia 2000

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

There was an offhand chance that Bush might win an electoral vote in Maine, but it wasn't something he seriously pursued.

Kerry, meanwhile, did pursue West Virginia, and the harder he worked, the more it seemed he lost ground there.  He only pulled out when it became hopeless.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Figuring out why West Virginia went for Bush in 2000 isn't rocket science.  In fact, it's relatively low-tech: coal.

Coal is a top economic issue in the state, and Bush made a heavy pro-coal push in the state while campaigning there.  Eco-warrior Gore just couldn't compete with such a popular (but environmentally unfriendly) tactic.  Social issues were the nail in the coffin—Gore couldn't compete there, either.

I can't help but think West Virginia may wind up flipping back to the Republicans on the environment/coal issue, especially if climate change and Kyoto wind up being important issues in 2008.  Ironically, WV is one of the few states where Fred Thompson or a similar "dirty," conservative Republican would play better than the socially moderate, relatively environmentally-friendly Giuliani.