Clinton 1992/Dole 1996 counties by state

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Colorado's Larimer County (its county is Fort Collins) is the most critical in the state. Every presidential candidate who has carried the state of Colorado since the 1950s won Larimer County. Bill Clinton's Democratic pickup of Colorado, in 1992, resulted in a likewise Democratic pickup of Larimer County. Bob Dole, despite failing to unseat Bill Clinton, in 1996, won Republican pickups on both counts. And I think the pattern will continue. Hell, Larimer County was there when Rick Santorum won the Republican presidential caucus in the state in 2012. Larimer County also carried for Cory Gardiner, in 2014, when the Republican unseated in the U.S. Senate race the incumbent Democrat Mark Udall. And that was a split decision of Larimer County vs. the likewise powerful duo Arapahoe (Littleton) and Jefferson (Golden) counties. In 2012, they carried for Mitt Romney. In 2014, they carried for Mark Udall. Larimer County trumped Arapahoe and Jefferson counties. Interesting, indeed, given I have close relative who lives here.

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The numerous listing of Missouri counties points to one thing: In 1992, it was the last time Missouri had a Democratic tilt built into its then-bellwether status, In 1996, it moved to a Republican tilt built into its then-bellwether status. The state, of course, carried for both of Bill Clinton's elections. But, in hindsight, it's not difficult to understand why Missouri is no longer a presidential bellwether state.