The blue map
posted at 4:18 pm on November 6, 2008 by Allahpundit
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From the Times, an interactive snapshot of voter trends county by county. Blue means the district went more Democratic than it did in 2004, not that Obama won it; for a breakdown on that, choose “County leaders” at the link (or, better yet, “County bubbles” to weight each district by population). Aside from Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and a few scattered blotches in the south, the trend was universal. Discounting McCain’s home state, I spy exactly two counties west of Texas that went heavier for Maverick than they did for Bush. Worse still, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada have trended increasingly blue for two straight elections now. Maybe that’s just a function of the candidates each cycle (each state is comparatively redder now than it was in 1996 when Clinton crushed Dole), with the lesson here being not to get your hopes up when you’re running against a guy with $650 million to spend, especially when you’re saddled with a president whose approval rating is in the 20s. But when you can drive coast to coast and never enter a district where the GOP picked up votes, it seems … noteworthy.
If that’s not depressing enough for you, see Greg Mankiw’s chart of youth voters. Ruffini claims they were worth 72 electoral votes to The One this time around and five percent to Democratic House candidates. How to turn that around will be at the top of the agenda at the powwows among conservative leaders going on now and in the coming months. If you think going to back to Reaganite basics is the key, fair enough, but aside from social security and abortion, it’ll take an awful lot of persuading.
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Great, so we will know which counties to hold into account for the upcoming collapse of our culture. Thank you idiots.
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:20 PM
That is not a pretty map.
And why is AK grey??
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 6, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Great question. I did not notice that before.
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:21 PM
oh, so it’s not enough to show the typical blue vs red, but now we have to manufacture news to make it look more like a blue country.
In the interest of fairness HA, please post a map showing the actual red vs blue from tuesday’s vote… strikingly different… teh country is still RED from *almost* sea to shining *almost* sea
gatorboy on November 6, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Four years of Obama and America will be redder than Edward’s face when he ran into that hotel bathroom.
fogw on November 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
I see acorns all over this map!
LoneStarGal on November 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
No data available?
bluejacket on November 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Meaningless map. Of course a vast majority of counties would be “bluer” than 2004, Obama won the election, Kerry did not. Duh!
On a seperate note, I would suggest that Allahpundit would be kicked off HotAir. He is obsessed with negativitity and/or bashing our 2012 nominee.
Norwegian on November 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
*drinks*
Trov on November 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
The dark blue spot of Dallas and Tarrant county in north east Texas is very troubling. All the Republicans are moving to counties north (notice the red area). Dallas and Ft. Worth are being taken over by Democrats, and when urban centers fall, they fall for good…
Kenrod on November 6, 2008 at 4:23 PM
The colors of ACORN
William Amos on November 6, 2008 at 4:23 PM
how embarrassing for the republican party.
venicesurfer on November 6, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Exactly, I consider myself smart but I browsed this same map at Newsbusters this morning and assumed it was the usual election map graphic.
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:23 PM
hahaha
venicesurfer on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Bush caused this.
MedSchoolCatholic on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
My part of Massachusetts is white, but then, our Senators are Kennedy and Kerry, so we can’t get any bluer without going ultra-violet…
oddball on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Hey AP,
Thanks for sharing.
Cicero43 on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Yes but that just shows blue for President. I mean in my county that went for Obama we went for 4 Rep County Comissioners in a big way and 2 incumbent Republican US Congressmen. They split the ticket.
As for the 73 electoral votes part of that comes from the other noted stat that the GOTV effort for McCain blew. I mean like 6 million or something folks from 2004 didn’t show up (at least for McCain). That vacuum woul tend to overstate the importance of the youth vote which according to exit polls was up only 1% point from 2004.
McLovin on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
itll be redder than blood in four years then what?
Sonosam on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
This is a map to make Liberals feel better and nothing more. We lost the election but if you break it down by counties the USA is still red.
Dritanian on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Not a pretty sight. But I am confident that the pendulum will swing back our way.
flyawaybird on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
When the Youth Voters move out of mom’s basement and start paying taxes, the map will CHANGE.
marklmail on November 6, 2008 at 4:24 PM
This is ridiculous. I live in Indiana and after Obama won I was surprised, shocked even at how well he did here. So I checked the voter trends in my county. McCain carried this county 2-1. If I look at the map the entire state of Indiana is blue. The Governor here, Mitch Daniels absolutely trounced the Democrat running against him. So no, I don’t think that map is exactly correct. Obama did well, but look at Missouri on that map, and Idaho and Montana and all sorts of other states. It is just ridiculous.
Terrye on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
There is a lot fo work to be done…
V15J on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
McCain couldn’t do better then W in his home state of Arizona. Super campaign Mac!
tyrfing on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
As far as influencing more of the ‘youth vote’, how about looking to candidates that actually appeal to them?
McCain, regardles of all his pros, and all his cons, politically, seemingly was not someone that the younger voters could relate to.
My question is, if the next GOP hopeful is more youthful, energetic, on message ( reliably ), and also touts true conservative principles, smaller government, free-market solutions, and personal responsbility, will that attract those moderates & independent young voters away from re-electing Obama in 2012?
jrlingreenbay on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
The map is bluer because conservatives stayed home. They had no candidate in the race.
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Besides it nothing more then a referendum on Mavericks’ pathetic campaign.
Dritanian on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Something fishy about that map. Looking at Georgia it looks to be mostly blue, except when you click into the interactive map and see that the state is mostly red.
moonsbreath on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
It is troubling, but realize that there are high black and Hispanic populations in Dallas and Ft. Worth. Those groups voted in extreme numbers for BHO.
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Arrgh!! The “youth vote” appeal shouldn’t be that hard to figure out. The Democrats, through big government, has become the party of “Don’t!” It places limitations on your aspirations in our society and would fundamentally control how you live your life. The Republicans *used* to stand for the opposite — the true empowerment of individual opportunity, the ability to choose your own life path in our country. Get back to that, hammer on that, explain that, and get the youth vote.
EasyEight on November 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Unfortunately just like the previous post of that dolt of a teacher. The young vote will be in the Dems pocket for along time. They control the schools and colleges, and the media. And we are in the American Idol culture which helps the dems, cause you dont have to think, you just have to speak good, and tell people what they want to hear. Why actually think for yourself, when you have teachers doing it for you. Why work when you have the dems, giving you the rich peoples money. Face it, this country is turning into a lazy bunch of “What Are you Gonna Do For Me?” robots.
MDWNJ on November 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Now that the election is over, can we be done with the defeatist crap at Hot Air? Why are you still linking to shit sites like Politico? They have been in the tank from day one, who gives a shit what they say now, they have zero objectivity. Why give them the time of day or the traffic? We already know what the lefty blogs say, we don’t even need to read them. They will claim the GOP is screwed and Obama will be praised even as he fails. Enough!
echosyst on November 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Blue is appropriate because that is how all of us will be feeling when all the Hope and Change dreams shatter in the upcoming administration.
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
So much of this is successful stereotyping through the media and brainwashing through public education.
Priscilla on November 6, 2008 at 4:28 PM
In two years, the map will redshift. In four years, more so. The policies and programs espoused by Obama virtually guarantee it.
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Terrye on November 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
I see you noticed the same too. This map is bogus.
moonsbreath on November 6, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Here’s an idea: drop gay marriage down a rung or three on the priorities list. Younger voters are now far more in favor of it than older voters, and constant right-wing complaining about the “homosexual agenda” makes Republicans seem like a bunch of haters. Tone it down a bit on that issue.
Another thing: stop acting like a top-notch education and the like are strikes against people. Young people have their futures ahead of them, and still hope to achieve many of the things conservative Republicans have recently started to label as “elitist”. You’re condemning their hopes and dreams, and that’s not a good way to get their votes.
Big S on November 6, 2008 at 4:29 PM
It sounds like the same thing happened in the 70s. We didn’t offer a clear enough picture of who we were and why we were different than the Liberals. We tried to expand our party to include everyone of all ideologies — which basically was a mess. McCain got a good message going after Joe the Plumber but it was way too late. Michelle Malkin posted this yesterday but it’s a very good read. Ronald Reagan on what to do after the Republican’s loss to Carter:
http://www.conservative.org/pressroom/reagan/reagan1975.asp
dengar007 on November 6, 2008 at 4:29 PM
I notice a lot of red in southern LA and LA in general. Maybe a Jindal effect?
Russell H. on November 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
As for the Latino vote — they are *cultural conservatives.* STOP trying to out sugar daddy the Democrats and deal with them as a “bloc vote” approach them on the issues, on support for family, on an achievement mindset, on getting ahead. Get grassroots going at the local level to appeal to people individually, stop treating them as an ethnic bloc. That’s a DEMOCRAT thing — to divide folks up into ethnic voting blocs. The Republicans need to appeal to principals and values, to core guiding philosophies, and NOT cater to specific interest groups.
EasyEight on November 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
This is sort of comical looking at Utah where I live. The only way Utah would be more blue is if Republicans stayed home. In this election, and knowing that the state was going for McCain no matter what, it’s not surprising that more Republicans just stayed home this time. In the past two elections, it was probably Utah Dems who stayed home knowing the futility of even trying.
I suspect that why a lot of these areas in the west are “blue.” If there’s a reason to vote, the voters will come. A party that offers “Democrat Lite” just isn’t a convincing enough reason to even participate.
This is re-branind, folks, as we all know. We’re talking MAJOR SURGERY here. Perhapes even the demise of the current party is required.
karl9000 on November 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
yes, meaningless. Even though Colorado went nationally for Barack and now with Ultra-liberal Mark Udall, we have 2 Dems in the Senate. However, the silver lining (or maybe gray lining), is that in the Colorado Senate, the Republicans actually picked up a seat! And gained 2 in the House. That might not be a lot, but it shows a lot more middle of the road than all misery…
kirkill on November 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Today I announced to my employees, about 45 people, that in January I will be closing down and retiring. I have purchased a home in a central American country, am working now on liquadting everything I have in the USA, and getting out. I plan to leave nothing behind but dust. There is just no damned way I’ll sit and be picked clean by the communist bastards that will arrive in power in January.
MikeA on November 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Oh, please! This map is worthless. No matter how you slice or dice it, 56 million Americans voted for McCain/Palin.
Blake on November 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
The map shows precisely where all the Obamunists are.
LoneStarGal on November 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
The answer seems pretty simple to me…time for us to get to work teaching people about what freedom really means.
Personal liberty is a pretty simply concept but it must be taught…especially with the crap kids learn in our schools anymore.
Chad on November 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
ACH! Try “not re-brandning” instead of … whatever the h*ll I wrote…
Sheesh…
karl9000 on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
woe is me. woe is me. i think i’ll go kill myself now. woe is me.
Hey, pooh, have you seen christopher robin. tell him i’ll miss him.
woe is me.
yomomma on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
WOOT
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
The blue is interesting, but moreso the red. Look at where Obama lost ground. Especially that stretch from Arkansas heading northeast.
SAZMD on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Depressing
beththebaker on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I am strongly reminded of 1976 by current events. Economy going south under Nixon, Carter is elected by a few percent. Carter begins to implement his plans, and the economy goes from bad to worse. No matter the age of the voter, they will feel it. I can guarantee you that had McCain been worth voting for, and won, the economy would not be much better in the fall of 2010, and based on what the dems plan, it will likely be worse. That means that a principled conservative can win in at least 35 currently dem held districts, and multiple senate seats. All it requires is for the current GOP seat holders to stick together and be seen as fighting the new new deal.
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Comparing to 1992 and 1996 just shows that Clinton had much broader support back then.
Phoenician on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Know what’s turning black and blue?
The stock market. Down 900 over the last two days.
fogw on November 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Stop…please. There are blogs out there that are basically Republican version of Daily KoS. Thank goodness that HA is not that braindead.
The reality on the ground is about as bad as it gets right now…and that’s a fact. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t acknowledge there is one in the first place.
Having said that, this election wasn’t won so much on issues as it was on political climate, personality and a poor effort by Republicans. Bill Clinton was a relatively popular President, but he was forced to govern a lot more conservatively than I’m sure he would have liked. You’ll figure out how informed and conservative the American people are when actual proposals start being released by the new administration.
Of course that also depends on how good the opposition will be this time around. That’s the biggest question..and biggest problem as well.
Asher on November 6, 2008 at 4:33 PM
So what does this mean:
This means that Obama is more popular than Kerry with Democrats.
This means that McCain is less popular than Bush was in 2004 with Republicans.
Considering that we had a phrase just after it became apparent that McCain really was the nomination known as “F*ck it, McCain,” none of this is all that surprising.
jimmy the notable on November 6, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Two Words.
New Coke!
ronsfi on November 6, 2008 at 4:33 PM
I know, right?
MayBee on November 6, 2008 at 4:33 PM
The big thing this time is, I think, a lot of people were *inspired* by Obama; that is to say that he appealed to their emotions (hope and change). He didn’t have much of a record that he could be pinned down on so people basically made him out to be whatever they were looking for in a candidate. In 2012, his votes will be based on what he has accomplished.
dengar007 on November 6, 2008 at 4:33 PM
This is fairly meaningless. After 8 years of Bush, of course the country leaned towards the Democratic candidate. It doesn’t mean the country is becoming more liberal — it means they wanted party change.
Mark Jaquith on November 6, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Maybe if our schools still taught US History we wouldn’t need to endure four years of agony to remind us that Carter’s policies don’t work.
Chad on November 6, 2008 at 4:35 PM
I’m with MayBee and others. Obama won. So of COURSE this map would be more blue than red.
mcg on November 6, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Forgot to add one more parallel – the economic collapse was this decade’s Watergate, though the blame was misplaced.
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:35 PM
The map is clearly an indication of all the fraudulent votes that tgot thru.
darwin on November 6, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Ding Ding Ding!
Just wait after four years of President That One.
I remember Jimmy Carter, the original
I, ahem, **mumbles under breath** voted for him **first election ever to vote in** and have been a dyed-in-the-wool conservative ever since.
tru2tx on November 6, 2008 at 4:36 PM
On a seperate note, I would suggest that Allahpundit would be kicked off HotAir. He is obsessed with negativitity and/or bashing our 2012 nominee.Norwegian on November 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
We don’t even have a 2012 nominee yet, sheesh.
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I. Need. A. Drink.
Casper the Friendly Host on November 6, 2008 at 4:37 PM
UGH.
*retches*
Grue in the Attic on November 6, 2008 at 4:37 PM
What a useless map.
wise_man on November 6, 2008 at 4:37 PM
LOL, that is one word.
/VP Joe
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:37 PM
McCain IS Bob Dole
lodge on November 6, 2008 at 4:38 PM
I think it is because it had a +1% change in republican voters, which is below the threshold the map plots.
Marine_Bio on November 6, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Seriously, we need to get over ourselves. First suggestion – compare that map to either of Clinton’s wins – it trends GOP.
Secondly, and importantly: exit polling shows only small gains in turnout among minorities and young voters. Yes, the number and the pro-DNC gap went up, but not significantly.
Even though young and minority voters are the ones on the front page of every major newspaper, these are not the people who decided the election. This election was decided by lower GOP turnout (the lesser factor) and mostly by the economy.
The economy is going downwards (fast) and with a GOP President people voted for the Democrat. Greater party enthusiasm for the candidate would more than easily have made up for young and minority voter turnaround that went heavily Democrat. The problem was McCain lost the middle class moderate to conservative voter because people blame Bush for the economy and McCain offered nothing coherent about how to make things better.
The GOP has certainly alienated voters with their expansion of government. With terrorism the number one issue people were willing to hold their nose and trust the GOP. But with the economy front and center it wasn’t enough.
Primarily though, voters always punish the incumbent party for a bad economy. While our economy isn’t really that bad, it’s hurting enough for people to notice and give a different party a chance to run the White House.
JDScott on November 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Dude, Hot Air is not a reality TV show. It is a business and Allah is performing beyond great for his boss.
carbon_footprint on November 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
We just LOST an election. AP would have to be one hell of a spin-master to make it all sunshine and daisies. If you don’t want to read negative things, I suggest you not read right-wing blogs for a little while.
jimmy the notable on November 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Learned your lesson quick, huh? :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
I remember when my sister married some dude who we all knew was a lowlife because she was soooo smitten. Oh how we sucked in her eyes. Six months later she was crying for Daddy to save her. Sooner than we may think. The romance will fade…the painful truth sink in…a cruel slap to the face and…they will come crying to Daddy to save them. Sure as s417.
ronsfi on November 6, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Hey Kenrod, Dallas/Ft Worth has been turning into a 3rd World sh*thole for about the last 5 years. Unless you can afford to live in the expensive parts of Dallas or the ritzier suburbs then you are basically screwed. I can’t wait to get out of here. My husband and I are trying to convince the rest of the family to move en masse to somewhere more conservative. Family is important to us and that is the only reason we stay here. And I say that as someone who has lived here on and off since I was in 4th grade. It has changed for the much worse.
mrsmwp on November 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Of course it went ‘more blue.’ Might as well show a map with every state blue, because Obama will be the president of very state in two months.
wise_man on November 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Hey, look at the bright side. We don’t have to try and defend a president McCain….. We can oppose amnesty, carbon caps, and all the rest with abandon. In fact, the GOP in congress can do so as well, and I strongly suggest they do so.
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Ok, I don’t have the software or numbers to back up this point, but I will make it anyway. This map is pure agitprop. Let’s see the same map with the counties colored by who won the county. Like always, you will see big ugly inkstains spreading out from all the likely suspects, with the vast majority of the country a healthy red – not even pink.
TubbyHubby on November 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
the Illinois Lotter numbers yesterday were 6 6 6
heh
jp on November 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Are you sure this isn’t a map of the collective shift of voter IQ? Blue = dumber voters
gatorboy on November 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
why don’t we do what they do? become college professors and begin the indoctrination process…however instead of spewing toxic waste we can teach all that is good: Conservatism, Free Market, Sanctity of Life.
ocbrat on November 6, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Really? If you were running a business you wouldn’t be interested in where your competition was gaining market share?
We need to understand why it’s more blue.
BacaDog on November 6, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I personally am getting really sick of the “OMG BAD NEWS FIRE ALLAH” junk. What did you people expect, seriously?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 6, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I think a map covered with lots of acorns would be more accurate. :-)
timinnc on November 6, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Allah — I don’t think it will take any more persuading than that which a little dirty bomb attack might be able to muster.
D2Boston on November 6, 2008 at 4:42 PM
What amazes me still, is how many people voted for him, and had no idea what his policies were. That tells me that there are way to many idiots in this country, who cancel out informed peoples votes. I say nevermind an id so you can vote. There should be a test before you walk in, and if you cant name some of the two candidates major policies, you get a shirt for making the trip, that says I Am A Moron, and you arent aloud to vote.
MDWNJ on November 6, 2008 at 4:42 PM
PLOT TO KIDNAP OBAMA!!!!
romanianhacker on November 6, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Because both candidates were more blue than their predecessors would be my guess
Vashta.Nerada on November 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
A quick thought on voter fraud. To start – I can’t stand it and I think the ACORN Obama link is dubious at best, potentially criminal at worst. However . . .
Voter registration and ultimately, policy at the polls is handled by the State government. As conservatives we should be fine with this. In 2000 we had an edge because the governors in places like Ohio and Florida were Republicans. This time around, the people responsible for the Ohio polls were appointed by the Democratic Governor.
Elections have results. Rather than complaining about the voter-fraud boogie man we need to focus on regaining the Governors mansions in swing states. Not to perpetrate fraud ourselves but to be confident that people only vote once.
JDScott on November 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Being an elitist is based on attitude as opposed to accomplishment imo. I understand where you’re coming from though.
bluejacket on November 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
where’s the map that shows counties that actually voted republican? That gives a more precise picture of what happened. It’s overwhelmingly red, by the way. The above map only shows the trend for this year. In 4 years it will be the opposite.
bilups on November 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I think you’ve nailed it!
tru2tx on November 6, 2008 at 4:43 PM
What are you going to do about it? Move to a more blue part of the country so your vote means more?
wise_man on November 6, 2008 at 4:44 PM
whats the point now we need to come up with a winning game plan and move forward
ldbgcoleman on November 6, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Yep. A few walletectomies from The One and a lot of these “youth” will understand the wages of foolishness often cost you wages.
A pretty big percentage of the electorate is too young to remember Jimmy Carter. Like you, tru2tx, I remember him well, although I was still too young to vote in 1976. I suspect you weren’t the only Carter voter to wise up over that particular 4-year period.
Mr. D on November 6, 2008 at 4:44 PM
AP,
Do you know that for a fact? Or are you hoping?
paul006 on November 6, 2008 at 4:45 PM
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