Difference between West Coast liberals and East Coast liberals

[The Free North]

Besides location, what separates these two groups?

[Sol]

West Coast liberals tend to be more hippie-ish and socially liberal. They tend to be more prone to voting for 3rd party candidates, and tend to be bigger on Marijuana.

East Coast liberals tend to be more "establishment". They vote much less for 3rd parties, and typically are more union-friendly.

It should be noted, however, that there are big exceptions.

[bgwah]

West Coast liberals tend to be more progressive on social issues. I think religious influence has been less here and been that way for a long time, which is a big factor. There is a definite live and let live attitude, probably stemming at least partially from the lower population densities and more spread out nature of the West. There are some denser cities but their populations are often from all over the Western United States. This also contributes to being more economically moderate, frequently with libertarian-ish tendencies.

Gun control has much wider support on the East Coast. Only in the most left-wing parts of the West Coast will you find significant support for it. On the other hand, environmentalism is a bigger deal over here.

While Eastern cities are often defined by white-black relations, the black population has never been as large out West. Even Los Angeles is only around 10% black. Not to say they haven't had their issues.

And people just want to live here. In the PNW or in California. They're desirable regions. This is an unfair advantage we have to some extent. We can get away with more ludicrous left-wing policies than other parts of the country can, because people want to be here. NYC is the only place with that same allure on the East Coast.

Among whites, the culture is just different. "Hippie-ish" for a lack a better word, sure...

[TDAS04]

While Eastern cities are often defined by white-black relations, the black population has never been as large out West. Even Los Angeles is only around 10% black. Not to say they haven't had their issues.

Interestingly, in spite of small black populations, West Coast cities have been as good as cities elsewhere at electing black mayors.  Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Seattle, and Spokane have all elected black mayors, and Obama had no trouble winning the white vote in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.  Perhaps that suggests a culture of relative colorblindness.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Perhaps that suggests a culture of relative colorblindness.

As someone who's lived on the East Coast and the West Coast, I can assure you: Race is a much larger issue out here on the West Coast, at least in Los Angeles.

The level of "white privilege" here is off the charts.

[Torie]

Perhaps that suggests a culture of relative colorblindness.

As someone who's lived on the East Coast and the West Coast, I can assure you: Race is a much larger issue out here on the West Coast, at least in Los Angeles.

The level of "white privilege" here is off the charts.

Interesting. Please elaborate. I'm all ears.

[Blue3]

West Coast is more populist-liberal, while the Northeast is more academia-liberal.

[bedstuy]

Both coasts are too diverse and large to make these types of generalizations. 

[Pessimistic Antineutrino]

West Coast liberals are much more socially liberal and anti-establishment. For example, Nader did much better in Oregon and Washington than in states like New Jersey and New York. This is also probably due to the fact that West Coast liberals are much more environmentalist than East Coast liberals, which also explains Nader's percentages in states like Alaska.

East Coast liberals are generally more educated than the average person and are often associated with academics

[Sbane]

Perhaps that suggests a culture of relative colorblindness.

Race is a much larger issue out here on the West Coast, at least in Los Angeles.

The relevant part of the sentence.

[Ogre Mage]

The West Coast has large Asian and Latino populations and these voters in combination with white liberals give Democrats the majority.  I think on the East Coast you tend to have either small states almost entirely composed of white liberals (Vermont) or a white liberal + African-American coalition (Maryland).  

This leads to differences in emphasis.  While I think most East Coast Democrats are supportive of immigration reform, they probably don't feel the issue as keenly as their western counterparts.

[rejectamenta]

West coast liberals are wealthy crypto-capitalists.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I view the eastern variety as latte liberals more than I do the west.......just my personal impression, that's all.

[Downnice]

Basically  West Coast liberals care for more about civil liberties and environment. Also West Coast liberals are more prone to vote for the Green and even Libertarian parties

[King]

West: hippies/mexicans
Northeast: academia
Midwest: labor unions
South: blacks

[Blue3]

Why do so many people think Northeastern liberals don't care as much about the environment or civil liberties?

[Napoleon]

So do you guys consider me to be more aligned with the East Coast liberal stereotype or West Coast liberal stereotype?

[H. Ross Peron]

I suspect a lot of the supposed divide between West and East Coast Liberals is little more than one of style. After all California has Dianne Feinstein.

[Peter the Lefty]

I suspect a lot of the supposed divide between West and East Coast Liberals is little more than one of style. After all California has Dianne Feinstein.

Feinstein isn't a liberal of either variety.

[Person Man]

I suspect a lot of the supposed divide between West and East Coast Liberals is little more than one of style. After all California has Dianne Feinstein.

On the surface, there is only one Bob Casey and one Mike Gravel, but there are many exception below that.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

East Coast liberals are just better at it.  Hey!  We've been at this since the 1770s!