Why is New Hampshire so "purple"?

[Del Tachi]

New Hampshire, even though it voted for Democrats in 2004 and 2008, has ever since 1992 been seen as a swing state.  Obama won New Hampshire with 54.13% of the vote.  Kerry got 50.24%.  However, its neighbors (Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine) tend to be much more Democratic.

One thing that came to my mind was that New Hampshire might be poorer than its neighbors, and thus more inclined to vote Republican.  However, according to this map ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_county_household_median_income_2008.png)  it does not appear to be any poorer than its heavily Democratic neighbor: Vermont; in fact, it might even be wealthier. 

Well then, maybe the factor coming into play is race.  As of the 2000 Census, whites were 97.56% of New Hampshire's population.  In Vermont, people of European ancestry account 98.12%.  So shouldn't New Hampshire be more liberal?  Well, it obviously isn't. 

Those are the two biggest indicators of voter tendency in the nation.  So, what is to blame for this New English anomaly?   

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

The differences are cultural.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

"Live free or die."

It's simply a "Go your own way" state that has been turned off by the social conservatism of the GOP, but isn't inclined to accept the Democratic Party fully.

[Del Tachi]

The differences are cultural.

Could you elaborate?

[Del Tachi]

"Live free or die."

It's simply a "Go your own way" state that has been turned off by the social conservatism of the GOP, but isn't inclined to accept the Democratic Party fully.

Are you implying that New Hampshire's conservatism has roots in the American Revolution?  Because Massahusetts and New York have deeper Revoluntionary History, but are not as conservative as NH. 

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

"Live free or die."

It's simply a "Go your own way" state that has been turned off by the social conservatism of the GOP, but isn't inclined to accept the Democratic Party fully.

Are you implying that New Hampshire's conservatism has roots in the American Revolution?  Because Massahusetts and New York have deeper Revoluntionary History, but are not as conservative as NH. 

No... I just mean that it balks at government involvement in both their personal lives and pocketbook.

[Derek]

It combines the elitist left wing ideology from MA, NY, and RI with the libertarianism of Live Free or Die. Maine and Vermont are more like that as well than what is noticeable. Once you get past the socialism, they still are very small town oriented and preserve the past. However, I don't think it's the freest state.

[HAnnA MArin County]

It's a libertarian state, simply put. Pretty fiscally conservative but more socially moderate/liberal than the mainstream Republican Party and, as someone said on here, it's a state whose voters have been turned off by the Southernization of the GOP on the social issues but still isn't inclined to fully embrace the Democratic Party because of the fiscal issues. It really is a live free or die state. They have no sales taxes, if I'm correct? They pretty much just dislike government intrusion in their pocketbooks as well as in their bedrooms. Race and income don't really have anything to do with it seeing as how it's a heavily white state and relatively affluent, as are its neighbors Maine and Vermont.

[Bo]

Basically because they dislike the GOP's strong social conservatism and the Democrats' "big govt." philosophy. Thus it is fairly split relative to the national average. New Hampshire was a fairly GOP state in 1988 and before when the GOP was much more divided on social issues.

[Dgov]

Well, they used to be a strong Libertarian state, but that's changing now, as Bostonites and some other New Englanders have started to move in.

As for why they were strongly Republican in the past, it was primarily because the state stayed generally as small and mid-sized town for most of it's History.  Nothing like the Liberal Boston or Hartford or New York culture ever took root there, and it avoided the Hippie immigration that took on most of Vermont and West Massachusetts.

[Magic 8-Ball]

Well, they used to be a strong Libertarian state, but that's changing now, as Bostonites and some other New Englanders have started to move in.

Actually, a few polls from previous presidential elections would indicate it's Republicans who typically emigrate from Massachusetts.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The main difference with Maine and Vermont is that it comprises the Boston suburbs, which are quite republican. Probably, rural NH isn't that different than Vermont.

[Dgov]

The main difference with Maine and Vermont is that it comprises the Boston suburbs, which are quite republican. Probably, rural NH isn't that different than Vermont.

Actually, New Hampshire is rather uniform in it's voting patterns.  it's one of only 6 states where every county voted for obama (HI, MA, RI, CT, and VT), and considering that he only won the state by less than 10 points, that's pretty even partisan distribution.

Though looking at the map, his best counties were the ones that border rural Vermont (60-ish) and his worst were the ones that border Massachusetts (51-ish), so you're probably right.

[minionofmidas]

Half the population of the state live in the two southernmost counties, which are simply Boston Exurbhell.

The rest of the state has the same "ancestrally Republican but wouldn't touch what's become of that" mindset as Vermont (a state that has had far less inmigration) but doesn't vote as Democratically yet. Look at swing maps over the past few cycles. (Coos County in the far north is different again, and more like the frenchie bits of Maine.)

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Well, they used to be a strong Libertarian state, but that's changing now, as Bostonites and some other New Englanders have started to move in.

Actually, a few polls from previous presidential elections would indicate it's Republicans who typically emigrate from Massachusetts.

I recall reading a post here indicating that the areas Massachusetts residents moved to were the stronger areas for the GOP.

[Vepres]

Rockingham and Hillsborough counties together comprise more than half of the voting population in 2008. They were +0.09 and about +3.8 for Obama, very close. If you look at the western counties, Obama received a voting percentage in the high fifties and low sixties in them.

So most of New Hampshire is consistent with the region, albeit slightly more conservative, except the two population centers (and a couple other small counties).

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Half the population of the state live in the two southernmost counties, which are simply Boston Exurbhell.

The rest of the state has the same "ancestrally Republican but wouldn't touch what's become of that" mindset as Vermont (a state that has had far less inmigration) but doesn't vote as Democratically yet. Look at swing maps over the past few cycles. (Coos County in the far north is different again, and more like the frenchie bits of Maine.)

Unlike Vermont, the New Hampshire GOP, along with the state as a whole, was historically as conservative as any Western or Southern state.

New Hampshire was more Republican than Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, and the Dakotas in the 80s.

As recently as 1996, the New Hampshire primary gave an upset win to archconservative Patrick J. Buchanan over 'moderate' front-runner Bob Dole.

Plus the state was represented until 2003 by Senator Robert C. Smith, who survived the 1996 Clinton sweep and now writes editorials for the Constitution Party...

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Half the population of the state live in the two southernmost counties, which are simply Boston Exurbhell.

The rest of the state has the same "ancestrally Republican but wouldn't touch what's become of that" mindset as Vermont (a state that has had far less inmigration) but doesn't vote as Democratically yet. Look at swing maps over the past few cycles. (Coos County in the far north is different again, and more like the frenchie bits of Maine.)

Unlike Vermont, the New Hampshire GOP, along with the state as a whole, was historically as conservative as any Western or Southern state.

New Hampshire was more Republican than Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, and the Dakotas in the 80s.

As recently as 1996, the New Hampshire primary gave an upset win to archconservative Patrick J. Buchanan over 'moderate' front-runner Bob Dole.

Plus the state was represented until 2003 by Senator Robert C. Smith, who survived the 1996 Clinton sweep and now writes editorials for the Constitution Party...

Prior to the 1960's it was the least Republican of the northern New England states which meant about 55% Republican (compared to ME which was about 60% and VT at 65%). In the 1960's the whole region begin to shift Democratic (1958 in Vermont was brutal for the GOP, declining %'s in ME, many dems won office in NH in the 1960's especially Senate and House).

New Hampshire broke away from the pattern in the Mid 70's and 80's as the GOP regained strength there while the other two slipped further away. The big demographic change was the influx of Boston exurbanites into Southern New Hampshire, which contrary to the claims of many right wing hacks who thing Boston just puked a bunch of libs accrossed Northern New England and shifted the region leftward, actually made New Hampshire more Republican in the late 70's, 80's and 90's.

Smith wouldn't have lasted and he would have been creamed in 2008 by 20 points had he survived the 2002 primary and general election (considering how close Shaheen was, that is very dubios prospect). Sununu was a much better fit for the state and his surprisingly strong performance in 2008 is a testament to that fact, considering how far down he was just a few months prior. Had he another month and 5% knocked off the Dem margin nationwide, Sununu probably would have won reelection. That said a Paleo-con would have a strong appeal in NH compared to other states for several reasons.

Of course the answer to that question is that 45% of the voters are independents.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Half the population of the state live in the two southernmost counties, which are simply Boston Exurbhell.

The rest of the state has the same "ancestrally Republican but wouldn't touch what's become of that" mindset as Vermont (a state that has had far less inmigration) but doesn't vote as Democratically yet. Look at swing maps over the past few cycles. (Coos County in the far north is different again, and more like the frenchie bits of Maine.)

Unlike Vermont, the New Hampshire GOP, along with the state as a whole, was historically as conservative as any Western or Southern state.

New Hampshire was more Republican than Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, and the Dakotas in the 80s.

As recently as 1996, the New Hampshire primary gave an upset win to archconservative Patrick J. Buchanan over 'moderate' front-runner Bob Dole.

Plus the state was represented until 2003 by Senator Robert C. Smith, who survived the 1996 Clinton sweep and now writes editorials for the Constitution Party...

Prior to the 1960's it was the least Republican of the northern New England states which meant about 55% Republican (compared to ME which was about 60% and VT at 65%). In the 1960's the whole region begin to shift Democratic (1958 in Vermont was brutal for the GOP, declining %'s in ME, many dems won office in NH in the 1960's especially Senate and House).

New Hampshire broke away from the pattern in the Mid 70's and 80's as the GOP regained strength there while the other two slipped further away. The big demographic change was the influx of Boston exurbanites into Southern New Hampshire, which contrary to the claims of many right wing hacks who thing Boston just puked a bunch of libs accrossed Northern New England and shifted the region leftward, actually made New Hampshire more Republican in the late 70's, 80's and 90's.

Smith wouldn't have lasted and he would have been creamed in 2008 by 20 points had he survived the 2002 primary and general election (considering how close Shaheen was, that is very dubios prospect). Sununu was a much better fit for the state and his surprisingly strong performance in 2008 is a testament to that fact, considering how far down he was just a few months prior. Had he another month and 5% knocked off the Dem margin nationwide, Sununu probably would have won reelection. That said a Paleo-con would have a strong appeal in NH compared to other states for several reasons.

Of course the answer to that question is that 45% of the voters are independents.

New Hampshire was always a swing state out of sync with it's neighbors. It was the only Northeastern state to vote Democratic in 1916 just as it was the only one to vote Republican in 2000.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Half the population of the state live in the two southernmost counties, which are simply Boston Exurbhell.

The rest of the state has the same "ancestrally Republican but wouldn't touch what's become of that" mindset as Vermont (a state that has had far less inmigration) but doesn't vote as Democratically yet. Look at swing maps over the past few cycles. (Coos County in the far north is different again, and more like the frenchie bits of Maine.)

Unlike Vermont, the New Hampshire GOP, along with the state as a whole, was historically as conservative as any Western or Southern state.

New Hampshire was more Republican than Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, and the Dakotas in the 80s.

As recently as 1996, the New Hampshire primary gave an upset win to archconservative Patrick J. Buchanan over 'moderate' front-runner Bob Dole.

Plus the state was represented until 2003 by Senator Robert C. Smith, who survived the 1996 Clinton sweep and now writes editorials for the Constitution Party...

Prior to the 1960's it was the least Republican of the northern New England states which meant about 55% Republican (compared to ME which was about 60% and VT at 65%). In the 1960's the whole region begin to shift Democratic (1958 in Vermont was brutal for the GOP, declining %'s in ME, many dems won office in NH in the 1960's especially Senate and House).

New Hampshire broke away from the pattern in the Mid 70's and 80's as the GOP regained strength there while the other two slipped further away. The big demographic change was the influx of Boston exurbanites into Southern New Hampshire, which contrary to the claims of many right wing hacks who thing Boston just puked a bunch of libs accrossed Northern New England and shifted the region leftward, actually made New Hampshire more Republican in the late 70's, 80's and 90's.

Smith wouldn't have lasted and he would have been creamed in 2008 by 20 points had he survived the 2002 primary and general election (considering how close Shaheen was, that is very dubios prospect). Sununu was a much better fit for the state and his surprisingly strong performance in 2008 is a testament to that fact, considering how far down he was just a few months prior. Had he another month and 5% knocked off the Dem margin nationwide, Sununu probably would have won reelection. That said a Paleo-con would have a strong appeal in NH compared to other states for several reasons.

Of course the answer to that question is that 45% of the voters are independents.

New Hampshire was always a swing state out of sync with it's neighbors. It was the only Northeastern state to vote Democratic in 1916 just as it was the only one to vote Republican in 2000.

Really, who would have guessed? Read the bolded part. I said it was the least Republican state prior to 1960 and gave % just as a relation to the other states, not that NH always went 55% Republican.