Which state would likely have flipped for Kerry?

[Woody]

If Kerry had contested both Virginias which of them would have gone for him first?

[darklordoftech]

What were Kerry's views on coal at the time, and what were Virginia's demographics at the time?

[Mr. Smith]

Virginia actually.

The NoVA crowd was already there to an extent, and Bush Jr was an excellent fit for WV. Kerry and Gore both lost by 8, while WV moved.

[SingingAnalyst]

Neither. After 9/11, WV was probably lost for the Dems in '04, while VA was perhaps still a bit too dependent on the military and national security industry (which I believe had kept them strong for the GOP from 1952 through 2004, including in 1976).