Is the Northeast really trending away from Rs or did Biden have special appeal?

[The Economy is Getting Worse]

In 2008/2012, everyone thought the midwest was solidly Democrat, because Obama put up numbers much better than other Democrats before him. After Obama finished his 2 terms, the midwestern states returned to being competitive.

Similarly, the Northeast seems to have had a strong Democratic trend with Biden. Is this more Biden-specific or long-term? In 2016 the Northeast actually trended right from 2012.

[seskoog]

I think the swing from 2016-20  was heightened by third parties, and New England swings with the nation in 2024

[Mr. Smith]

No, Trump had appeal in 2016 that he squandered by 2020 by cozying up the Evangelical base, after a relatively secular posture before that.

And he's only moved farther and farther away from the very things that made Maine and NH so close in 2016.

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

No, Trump had appeal in 2016 that he squandered by 2020 by cozying up the Evangelical base, after a relatively secular posture before that.

Not wrong, but more generally, I would say it was President Trump being well to the right of Candidate Trump (except on trade and immigration, where he was basically the same).