West Virginia

[dazzleman]

I was also surprised by Bush's margin of victory in West Virginia.

West Virginia voted for a Massachusetts liberal in 1988, so I think the state has changed, rather than the issue simply being the wrong candidate.

Social issues have become more important, and on those issues West Virginia is definitely on the conservative side.

[dazzleman]

West Virginia voted for a Massachusetts liberal in 1988, so I think the state has changed, rather than the issue simply being the wrong candidate.

Remember that in WV they have Gubernatorial elections in the same year as Presidential elections.

In 1988, Arch Moore (R) was up for re-election and there were rumours that he was stealing millions from the state of WV (these rumours were true and Moore ended up in Jail).
He got stuffed 59-41 by Gaston Caperton (D).

Dukakis rode Caperton's coattails (and Bush sr. rode Moore's...)

You know a lot about West Virginia politics for a guy from England..