What Would it Take For a Republican to Win in the Northeast?

[HisGrace]

Republicans losing in the Northeast so badly in presidential elections is something that statistically shouldn't happen given that it's the whitest and most wealthy part of the country. You'd think it would be their base.

1. How incompetent/extreme of a Democrat would it take to lose northeastern states in this day and age? Would it be possible for there to be a Democratic version of Trump who would appeal to red state voters but turn off people in the northeast by being too populist?

2. Could a socially/culturally liberal (pro-choice, pro gay marriage, thinks climate change and evolution are real exc.) who is center right on other things win middle/upper class white voters in the northeast by neutralizing the social issue?

3. Could a Republican actually from New York/Boston win in that part of the country? It obviously didn't work for Mitt Romney, but what about someone who was a local hero?

If you look at recent history, it's not uncommon for socially moderate/liberal Republicans to win elections in the northeast, so it's a little odd that it hasn't ever translated to presidential elections.