minnesota?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I've already written up on this: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=88499.0

It's actually rather simple: McCain did try for awhile for some reason while Obama mostly ignored it. Look at the Fargo media market where Obama was running ads.

It's also a lot more polarized than most states.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Partisan-wise. Both parties have a particularly high floor. Franken's numbers are basically the Democratic floor, Mark Kennedy's are the Republican floor.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Just to put it out there... does anyone think that the Palins had any cultural resonance here, as hoped?

No. I sure as hell didn't see it. Nor do I see where Palin would appeal anyway, believe it or not people here don't vote thinking "OMG, this candidate's running mate is from another state that's cold and snowy! I'm voting for them for sure!" People vote on things that actually matter.