Why is Oregon more Republican than Washington?

[ottermax]

Coming from WA and knowing it quite well, I have always known that the West side is liberal and more populated with pockets of rural and suburban conservatism. The East is conservative all around with tiny pockets of immigrant liberalism and urban voters.

The one thing about WA is that even without suburban GOP support they can always rely on a substantial Eastern WA rural support group.

Driving through Oregon a few weeks ago I realized that Eastern Oregon is empty - Bend is really quite small and the largest city. Oregon only has 1 Republican representative, but 4 Democrats, while WA is a 6-4 split. Driving through the Willamette valley it appears that there are more rural, conservative voters here, but still not a ton.

So I guess my question is what about Oregon makes it more conservative than Washington? A smaller urban population? A larger rural population? A more conservative suburban area? Fewer minorities? None of it makes much sense to me, but the numbers are clear. Any thoughts or theories?

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Instead of farmers there are timberland woodsmen that like their independence. There is a population gap between Emerald city Seattle and Portland, too.

[Nichlemn]

There's like 1 point between them.

[ElectionsGuy]

Few differences: Oregon's rural eastern area, while it makes up less population than Washington's rural eastern part of the state, is much more republican. Second, the southwestern area in Oregon is more conservative than Washington's southwestern area. The suburbs and urban areas vote about the same for both states, but Washington's urban area is likely more democratic. Even though Multnomah County is more democratic than King County, I would think they are the same because King County is much larger and includes suburbs, so therefore I would think that the Seattle area is more democratic than the Portland area.

[ottermax]

There's like 1 point between them.

It's a consistent trend though.

It's clear that SW Oregon is somewhat more conservative than SW WA, along with E OR vs E WA, but when looking at the actually populations these rural areas can't be the full reason. It seems that the Portland metro is more conservative, but why?

[Sol]

There's like 1 point between them.

It's a consistent trend though.

It's clear that SW Oregon is somewhat more conservative than SW WA, along with E OR vs E WA, but when looking at the actually populations these rural areas can't be the full reason. It seems that the Portland metro is more conservative, but why?

It's a good bit smaller and less diverse.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Eastern Oregon, while sparsely populated, has become strongly Republican since the 80s after the spotted owl controversy.  Washington, on the other hand, has Seattle, which is, hands down, one of the most liberal cities in America (Starbucks, gay population, etc.).

[ElectionsGuy]

Eastern Oregon, while sparsely populated, has become strongly Republican since the 80s after the spotted owl controversy.  Washington, on the other hand, has Seattle, which is, hands down, one of the most liberal cities in America (Starbucks, gay population, etc.).

Washington also has Spokane, a mildly liberal city. Spokane County takes up much of the percentage of the population of eastern Washington, so eastern Washington is heavily skewed by Spokane County, which only leans republican. Oregon on the other hand really doesn't have a big area that sticks out like that in its eastern area. And almost all of the counties in eastern Oregon go >60% R whereas there are many counties in eastern Washington that go <60% R.

[barfbag]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

[HansOslo]

Didn't Eisenhower win Seattle in 1952 or 1956?

[opebo]

Washington is likely strongly Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans is likely Democratic and is purplish blue.

[barfbag]

Didn't Eisenhower win Seattle in 1952 or 1956?

That was a very long time ago.

[ElectionsGuy]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

[barfbag]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

[TJ in Oregon]

I think what it really comes down to is that Portland is smaller than Seattle. There are a number of other factors, such as eastern Oregon being more Republican than eastern Washington or southwestern Oregon being more Republican than southwestern Washington, but in either case, it primarily comes down to urban vs. rural.

One other thing to note is that Oregon is more polarized in general than Washington. Portland is definitely to the left of Seattle, and does not have nearly the same sized suburban population, which votes Democratic on the balance but not as overwhelmingly as Portland or Seattle themselves.

[LastVoter]

Spokane is a white working class city.

[ElectionsGuy]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

[barfbag]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

Just because it's a socialist country and it bleeds its way into Washington. Seattle is actually part of it too while Oregon doesn't have many cities.

[ElectionsGuy]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

Just because it's a socialist country and it bleeds its way into Washington. Seattle is actually part of it too while Oregon doesn't have many cities.

Alright then, so Washington's state government policies get influenced by Canada? Sounds a bit odd but possible I guess, but its not like I would know that. 

[barfbag]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

Just because it's a socialist country and it bleeds its way into Washington. Seattle is actually part of it too while Oregon doesn't have many cities.

Alright then, so Washington's state government policies get influenced by Canada? Sounds a bit odd but possible I guess, but its not like I would know that. 

No I'm talking about the culture of the residents.

[PolitiJunkie]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

Just because it's a socialist country and it bleeds its way into Washington. Seattle is actually part of it too while Oregon doesn't have many cities.

Alright then, so Washington's state government policies get influenced by Canada? Sounds a bit odd but possible I guess, but its not like I would know that. 

No I'm talking about the culture of the residents.

Barfbag, when the only person on the forum as insane as you is exposing how ridiculous your point is, it's time to quit.

[barfbag]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

Just because it's a socialist country and it bleeds its way into Washington. Seattle is actually part of it too while Oregon doesn't have many cities.

Alright then, so Washington's state government policies get influenced by Canada? Sounds a bit odd but possible I guess, but its not like I would know that. 

No I'm talking about the culture of the residents.

Barfbag, when the only person on the forum as insane as you is exposing how ridiculous your point is, it's time to quit.

Can't you debate things like everyone else on here? Why the insults?

[Sol]

Canada contributes to Washington's light blueness. Washington is likely Democratic or light blue while Oregon leans Democratic and is purplish blue.

How does Canada have any affect on Washington's "light blueness"?

Canada is more liberal and has influence on Washington.

OK, how?

Just because it's a socialist country and it bleeds its way into Washington. Seattle is actually part of it too while Oregon doesn't have many cities.

Alright then, so Washington's state government policies get influenced by Canada? Sounds a bit odd but possible I guess, but its not like I would know that. 

No I'm talking about the culture of the residents.

Barfbag, when the only person on the forum as insane as you is exposing how ridiculous your point is, it's time to quit.

How is Waukesha County insane?!? He's easily one of the best posters, and he points out some really interesting stuff.

[barfbag]

agreed ^

[ElectionsGuy]

Yes, I am indeed insane.