I don't understand people who think New England isn't, at a basic level, socially conservative (unless you buy into the absurd and narrow definition that hard-line opposition to hot-button political issues like abortion and gay rights is the epitome of "social conservatism"...).
There is so much history, culture, and tradition in New England that, in some form, stretches back to colonial times. And New Englanders are not only proud of said heritage, but would certainly not want to change it - at least, not in a way that fundamentally threatened their sensibilities.
Plus, in terms of everyday life and social custom New Englanders are a lot more traditional than their strongly Democratic voting habits would suggest.
I use "conservative" in political sense of the word. As almost a synonym for "reactionary". And in THIS sense New England is, surely, NOT a conservative area..
