What are Democrats doing right/Republicans doing wrong in MI, WI & MN?

[sg0508]

During the George W. Bush years, it looked like Republicans were gaining traction in those states and most would agree that the Midwest looked like it could be ripe for Republican inroads.  In MN, the Democrats hadn't seen the statehouse for a long time, Norm Coleman was a Senator and Bush gave Gore and Kerry runs for their money.  In Wisconsin, Bush barely lost in 2000 and actually lost in somewhat of an upset in '04 as he was leading Kerry there for much of that race.  In Michigan, will Democrats continue to hold both Senate seats, Bush was competitive. 

Some may argue that the damage of the GOP label from Bush's second term has really killed the Republicans in the Rust Belt, and particularly with the Great Recession.  Others may say that Democrats keep nominating decent candidates at all levels while Republican nominees just aren't appealing.

It hasn't been a total washout, as Scott Walker won two terms and fought off a recall, the GOP has IA in it's grasp (although not at the presidential level since '04 and only once since '84), and MI has a Republican governor, but likely not for long.

Any thoughts? Ironically with Minnesota, it is one of the whitest states in the country and yet Democrats are now dominating every office. In the 2014 midterms, the GOP obviously did well, but not at all in MN.

[pbrower2a]

Wisconsin is extremely polarized, but Democrats have an edge in most statewide elections. Minnesota is arguably the most stable state in its polling. In a really-horrible year for Republicans (2008) Obama won the Presidential election in Minnesota about 55-44. In a really bad year for Democrats (1972 or 1984), Minnesota goes about 50-50.  Minnesota just does not swing much in raw vote.

Michigan differs from Minnesota and Wisconsin in having far more blacks. What are Republicans doing wrong in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin? Failing to reshape the political culture. They cannot arrange things so that if you want public works or even a job you need to do so on Republican terms.