Geographically PA is very Appalachian but population wise it really isnt even close to 2/3. Everywhere in western PA has actually declined population wise in the past 80 years while eastern PA is still growing. Some counties like Lehigh, Monroe in the east have a growing minority population and those areas are more northeastern and not into the GOPs hardline conservatism. Even Lancaster County isn't providing the GOP the same numbers it once did.
Only way the GOP turns PA red is by making more gains in western PA and Scranton (which has trended Dem since 1988 contrary to perception). GOP also needs to gain in the Philly burbs and the registration numbers by age are alarming for them in all of those counties.
http://www.redracinghorses.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1947A 2% GOP trend since 2000 really does not say too much.
