Why Was Maine So Close In 1976?

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Well? Why was Maine, in fact, closer in 1976 than it was in 1980? I'd think that Ford would've resonated more with Maine voters than Reagan in 1980. What are your guesses?

[xavier110]

Anderson drew from liberals in 80.

[Fuzzybigfoot]

Maybe Ed Muskie's coattails.  Maybe Democrats believed they could contest the state because  they won it by double digits in 1968 (a very strong showing for Democrats in a traditionally Republican State).  Plus, I think the Republicans may have driven off much of their moderate wing by nominating Barry Goldwater in 1964.




But those are just guesses.  

[Fuzzybigfoot]

Anderson drew from liberals in 80.

I always wondered about that.  Do you have any exit polls from the Northeast? 

[Bo]

This is just a guess, but maybe a lot of conservatives were disappointed after Ford beat Reagan in the primaries and didn't pick him for VP. Thus, many of them decided to stay home instead of voting for Ford. Also, Reagan did worse than Ford (%wise) in Maine despite doing better (%wise) nationwide.

[Mr.Phips]

Probably because 1976 was a fairly good year for Democrats.  Maine was typically significantly more Democratic than Vermont and New Hampshire and about the same as Connecticut.

[Dr. Cynic]

I think 76 was just such a good year for Democrats with the high inflation. Carter never really had strong pull in the north and New England. It's possible that inflation turned many voters to the Democrats.