Why did Bush win Ohio?

[Old Man Willow]

Exit polls showed it was gun owners that gave the edge to Bush, according to CNN coverage.

[Old Man Willow]

Breaking it down demographically, it was overperforming with white men that really gave Bush the edge. Bush won white women 50-47, not nearly enough to help carry a state with such a decently sized black population. On the other hand Bush won white men 61-34. Compare that to four years later when white men swung heavily Democratic in OH, Bush only winning 56-43, but the "security mom" vote saved Bush as he won white women 55-45.