Knott County, KY

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I was reading an article about the Kentucky Senate race, which argues that Grimes is unlikely to win due to the strong Republican swing of the state.  It gives the example of Knott County, which has historically been won by competitive and victorious candidates by huge margins.  In 2012, Obama lost Knott County by 50 points.  Jack Conway won it by 6 points.

These powerful swings are attributed to the "War on Coal," yet national Democrats have taken a stance for renewable energy since the Carter administration.  Why has the state, especially eastern Kentucky, made such a swing to the right in national elections?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

The "War on Coal" that the Obama administration has been attacked for doesn't have much to do with the decline of the industry. In reality, coal (especially the low-quality Appalachian coal) has been on the decline for several years now thanks to the rise of cleaner, cheaper natural gas in the same part of the country. But it's easier to blame Obama than to explain shifting energy markets, so that's precisely what the right has done, to the extent that Democrats can only win statewide in KY or WV if they promise to protect an industry whose days are clearly numbered. It also helps that Obama is black.

[TNF]

The "War on Coal" that the Obama administration has been attacked for doesn't have much to do with the decline of the industry. In reality, coal (especially the low-quality Appalachian coal) has been on the decline for several years now thanks to the rise of cleaner, cheaper natural gas in the same part of the country. But it's easier to blame Obama than to explain shifting energy markets, so that's precisely what the right has done, to the extent that Democrats can only win statewide in KY or WV if they promise to protect an industry whose days are clearly numbered. It also helps that Obama is black.

[ElectionsGuy]

The "War on Coal" that the Obama administration has been attacked for doesn't have much to do with the decline of the industry. In reality, coal (especially the low-quality Appalachian coal) has been on the decline for several years now thanks to the rise of cleaner, cheaper natural gas in the same part of the country. But it's easier to blame Obama than to explain shifting energy markets, so that's precisely what the right has done, to the extent that Democrats can only win statewide in KY or WV if they promise to protect an industry whose days are clearly numbered. It also helps that Obama is black.

I agree with your overall statement here, but what does Obama being black have to do with his losses in Appalachia? Are they all just racists/prejudice?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Why has the state, especially eastern Kentucky, made such a swing to the right in national elections?

It's urban vs. rural.

Plus, that region is losing population rapidly. If you were 18 or 22 (part of the least Republican age group), why would you stay in that area? What sort of future lies ahead for the area's young people?

Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort are growing areas. The rural counties are shrinking.

[Miles]

When I was doing my 2004-2012 swing map, Knott had the greatest R swing of any county, IIRC.