Why is South Carolina so incredibly stable?

[Alben Barkley]

In just about every election since 2000, South Carolina has had the exact same damn result: A roughly 10-15 point Republican win, with the GOP in the mid 50s and Democrat in low 40s. Despite some expectations to the contrary, that happened once again this year.

It seems to be the state that has trended the least in either direction of any. It’s just been totally static for two decades now. Even as there was notable movement in its neighbors North Carolina and Georgia. People say “racial polarization” but is it really THAT much more racially polarized than Georgia? Are there not a number of college-educated suburban whites in places like Charleston (which HAS moved somewhat left even as the rest of the state remains still)? Does it really just all come down to not having any city/metro area as big as Atlanta?

[TiltsAreUnderrated]

The expected suburban shift is counteracted by snowbirds moving in and the rural shift plus the black population shrinking faster than in any other state. It and Illinois tend to get too much hype from parties that are pretty much doomed with the difference between the two being that the ILDEMs suck and the SCREPs are amongst the better half of state Republican parties. They're well-organised and haven't left an opportunity for much "Brownbacking", as it were; the lack of upset potential has, in the long term, left the Democratic bench weaker here.

[King of Kensington]

A white retiree from Ohio moving in and a young African American moving to Atlanta doesn't push the state leftward.

[Tekken_Guy]

The expected suburban shift is counteracted by snowbirds moving in and the rural shift plus the black population shrinking faster than in any other state. It and Illinois tend to get too much hype from parties that are pretty much doomed with the difference between the two being that the ILDEMs suck and the SCREPs are amongst the better half of state Republican parties. They're well-organised and haven't left an opportunity for much "Brownbacking", as it were; the lack of upset potential has, in the long term, left the Democratic bench weaker here.

Joe Cunningham ran far ahead of Biden and would have won if not for the "D" next to his name. Once the state becomes a little more Dem-friendly, he can win statewide.