Would Clinton really have done that much better than Obama in Appalachia?

[bedstuy]

Yes, but because she was more centrist than Obama.  Obama far and away is just not a good fit for the region politically--he's WAY too liberal.  Not that Hillary Clinton's not pretty far-left herself, but just not as much as Obama.  So, although she probably wouldn't have done a whole lot better, she would have performed better than he did.

Obama and Clinton had the same positions on cap and trade, healthcare and taxes.  On what issues was Obama far more liberal?  I can't think of any.

[bedstuy]

Yes, but because she was more centrist than Obama.  Obama far and away is just not a good fit for the region politically--he's WAY too liberal.  Not that Hillary Clinton's not pretty far-left herself, but just not as much as Obama.  So, although she probably wouldn't have done a whole lot better, she would have performed better than he did.

Obama and Clinton had the same positions on cap and trade, healthcare and taxes.  On what issues was Obama far more liberal?  I can't think of any.

Not exactly -she favored the individual mandate, and until he became President, Obama did not. 

That's relatively minor as a political matter.  Especially in the context of proposing the broad outline of a healthcare reform, which translates into a negotiating position with congress and the industry, not a piece of legislation.