Why did Corey Stewart win Counties won by either Gore, Kerry, or Obama at points

[DINGO Joe]

Hi Solid4096

Welcome to Atlas

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Since 2000, Dems have moved to the left on social issues

That explains why John Kerry, who was just as socially liberal as Obama, did so much better than him in Appalachia.

While being just as socially conservative, a previous generation would have remembered the Depression and FDR and been favorable towards the Democrats. These people would have largely died out between the mid 1990's to the mid 2010's.

A subsequent generation thus only cares about the guns, abortion, immigration and trade.

[DINGO Joe]

Fun fact in 2000 the 7 SW VA counties (plus Norton) cast 77,141 votes while Loudon cast 75,643
In 2018 SW VA cast 59,127 and Loudon cast 168,008

So it's not just about swing it's about actual existence.

[Some of My Best Friends Are Gay]

Since 2000, Dems have moved to the left on social issues

That explains why John Kerry, who was just as socially liberal as Obama, did so much better than him in Appalachia.

While being just as socially conservative, a previous generation would have remembered the Depression and FDR and been favorable towards the Democrats. These people would have largely died out between the mid 1990's to the mid 2010's.

A subsequent generation thus only cares about the guns, abortion, immigration and trade.

I really don't think people dying off can explain the trends between 2004 and 2008.

Clearly a large number of Kerry voters in Appalachia switched to McCain.

[DINGO Joe]

Since 2000, Dems have moved to the left on social issues

That explains why John Kerry, who was just as socially liberal as Obama, did so much better than him in Appalachia.

While being just as socially conservative, a previous generation would have remembered the Depression and FDR and been favorable towards the Democrats. These people would have largely died out between the mid 1990's to the mid 2010's.

A subsequent generation thus only cares about the guns, abortion, immigration and trade.

I really don't think people dying off can explain the trends between 2004 and 2008.

Clearly a large number of Kerry voters in Appalachia switched to McCain.

Depends which part of Appalachia your talking about.  Coal counties definitely swung further R, but much of non coal VA, WNC and even parts of WV swung towards Obama.