Why do people underestimate Minnesota's Democratic political lean

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, and Seattle are culturally all very similar. It's hard for Republicans to counter a large, liberal metro. They need suburbs, but suburbs are slipping away.

The days of progressive farmer-labor are past, but the Cities have solidified at least a narrow Democratic majority.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

As some others have said, The Dem margin for MN is getting lower. Some pundits have already called the state a battleground.

A Republican will eventually win MN, but it will be in an electoral blowout.  The sort of Republican who can win a plurality statewide is the sort of Republican who is palatable to moderates in general.