Why is Iowa not a red state?

[Siloch]

Demographically it looks like it should be, it has a similar "make up" to very red states like Nebraska and Kansas. Iowa has never been a very red state though. It was one of Reagan's weakest states in 1980 and 1984. Ford barely won it in 1976. Bush lost it in 1988, Clinton won it twice, Gore won it (barely), Bush barely won it in 2004 and Obama won it twice.

Is there a lot of mining or industry in Iowa compared with Kansas and Nebraska which gives Democrats the edge?

[Siloch]

It is interesting that Romney got above 60 percent in most northern Missouri counties sometimes up to 70 percent in certain counties then right across the border in southern Iowa he fails to hit 53 percent in most of them. It is weird how just across the state line it goes from very Republican to barley Republican. Anyone not on an ego trip have any explainations?

[Siloch]

Perhaps more urban areas, perhaps (in 2012 anyway) Iowa's economy is good, giving it a favorable view of Obama. Maybe it's just closer to Minnesota than Kansas and Nebraska

It's not about Obama, it has been leaning Democrat long before him. Iowa has similar sized cities to Kansas and Nebraska, Minnesota has a very large urban area which helps Democrats. Minnesota and Wisconsin are more similar, Iowa is just a state I don't understand. Every other state I understand why it votes the way it does even Colorado, but not Iowa.

[Siloch]

Those maps really helped me understand the Iowa/Missouri border, thanks ! Then again Iowa religiously looks a lot like Kansas and Nebraska still.

[Siloch]

You'd think Iowa would be prime GOP territory: rural, Midwestern, and a significant social/religious conservative population.  I think it it's more of a swing state than that largely because of the fact that there is a significant manufacturing and moderate population.  The reason Carter came so close to beating Ford there (albeit still failing) in 1976 was probably because of religious conservatives, and the reason Reagan was weaker and that Dukakis carried it was because of the farming depression.  That's also what helped Tom Harkin knock off Roger Jepsen for the latter's Senate seat in 1984.  You didn't really see a realignment until 1992, however.  And remember that Nixon carried Iowa all three times he ran.

Interesting, Iowa is definately a state the GOP needs to lock up in future elections.