Safe Republican States

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

I'm going to post this in both of Barfy's threads so he understands the true nature of our hopelessly divided Presidential politics; as well as the dire nature of the electoral situation his beloved GOP faces. 

In a race that is within 2-3 pts nationally (aka competitive), these are the only states that can be considered up for grabs. 

263-191. 

Sure, you might find SPECIFIC candidates like a Christie (making NJ somewhat competitive) or a Clinton (all the sudden Arkansas doesn't think the Dems are the devil anymore)... but for the most part, this is how it will shake out in the end. 

It's basically a situation where the GOP either has to go up a few points nationally (tough for either party in recent history; minus 2008, when the GOP had basically just ruined everything) or run the table in the swing states. 

This certainly has historical precedent.  See the early 1900s and the 1980s, when the GOP had an absolute stranglehold on the Electoral College. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

AK, NE, OK, UT, ID, WY, and ND

Alaska - I'm all the way out here in Alaska, government!  Go the hell away!  (in a nutshell)

Nebraska - Rural farmland with a healthy dose of reverence for "traditional" social values.  Rather than try to think about why the GOP would play so well here, think about how people out here would think of Democrats! 

Oklahoma - Must I explain?  Okay, I will.  Religious, racist, and pride themselves on how stupid they are.  The GOP openly courts this type of person.  Sorry to be nasty, but Oklahoma strikes a certain nerve with me. 

Utah - The Mormon faith and conservatism just seem to match up so well.  Leave charity to the religious institutions, protect religious freedom and autonomy, and uphold traditional family values.  Plus the GOP has, over time, become the "patriotic" party (remember, perception is reality) and Mormonism, for what it's worth, is a very, very American faith. 

Wyoming - much like Alaska.  Open, rural, and those who are there probably very individualistic.  Economically want the government of their back, and considering many might, as I again say; have those "traditional" values, the GOP's take on social issues and social justice just isn't all that threatening to them.

Idaho - just slam together Utah and Wyoming...  there ya go.

North Dakota - Probably for similar reasons to the aforementioned Western states.  Certainly a little more open to local and state level Democrats, but probably a bit like Nebraska to the South; what appeal would national Democrats have to a North Dakotan? 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Does the average guy in such states see promoting "tradition" by the Government as a Government product?

Government product?  No, hardly.  Social conservatives see government promoting tradition as the government protecting his freedom to be traditional.