Why is Kansas more Democratic than Nebraska?

[TDAS04]

The difference between Nebraska and Kansas isn't huge, but it is somewhat puzzling why Nebraska has often been the most Republican Plains state going back through 1960 (at least before Obama collapsed in Oklahoma).  Aside from the Johnson landslide of 1964, Democrats have not come within single digits of carrying Nebraska since Truman lost it by 8 points in 1948.  It was the only Plains state (the strip of states stretching from North Dakota down to Texas) that Ford defeat Carter in by double digits.  Ford won Nebraska by 21 points, while carrying Kansas by 8, North Dakota by 6, and South Dakota by only 1.

Compared to South Dakota counties, Nebraska Counties are notably more heavily GOP.  In 2004, Bush carried well over a dozen Nebraska counties with over 80%.  Madison (home of Norfolk) is one of the more populous counties in the state, and Bush obtained 78% of the vote.  In South Dakota, only 4 counties delivered a majority for Bush greater than 78%.

The biggest contrast to Nebraska among the neighbors is Iowa, obviously.  It has been discussed why Iowa is so much more liberal than the states to the west (less ranching, culture similar to Minnesota and Wisconsin's, etc.)  However, Nebraska arguably should not be as conservative as it is.  Omaha is quite Republican for a city of its size, and Lincoln is pretty conservative for such a major college town.  I'm not quite sure why Lincoln is not more like Lawrence, Kansas.  So, yes, it is a bit strange why Nebraska has voted more Republican than other states in the region.