Why did Truman lose Michigan in 1948?

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

Did he underperform among union members?

[Skill and Chance]

In short, the economic conditions of the time were weak for manufacturing (compared to during WWII) but very strong for agriculture/commodities, so there is a big pro-incumbent swing among farmers/miners and anti-incumbent swing among factory workers in 1948.   

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

In short, the economic conditions of the time were weak for manufacturing (compared to during WWII) but very strong for agriculture/commodities, so there is a big pro-incumbent swing among farmers/miners and anti-incumbent swing among factory workers in 1948.  

I guess that also explains (partially) why Truman did so well in West.

[ModerateRadical]

There may have been other factors involved, but the simplest explanation is that Dewey received a favorite son boost (he was born and raised in Owasso, Michigan).

[Kevinstat]

There may have been other factors involved, but the simplest explanation is that Dewey received a favorite son boost (he was born and raised in Owasso, Michigan).

Well, Willkie carried Michigan against FDR in 1940, while FDR carried it against Dewey in 1944 (the only state that switched that way between those two elections; Republicans gained Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming), so that kind of weakens that theory.  Although the U.S. wasn't in WWII yet in 1940 and that may have been big for the Michigan economy by 1944.

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

There may have been other factors involved, but the simplest explanation is that Dewey received a favorite son boost (he was born and raised in Owasso, Michigan).

Well, Willkie carried Michigan against FDR in 1940, while FDR carried it against Dewey in 1944 (the only state that switched that way between those two elections; Republicans gained Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming), so that kind of weakens that theory.  Although the U.S. wasn't in WWII yet in 1940 and that may have been big for the Michigan economy by 1944.

In 44 i'm guessing it went for FDR because of a strong wartime economy. In 1940 most states with a significant German-American population swung Republican, Michigan included.