Dean: Democrats Could Take the West

[Frodo]

a further indication of the increasingly libertarian bent of the Democratic Party:

Dean: West Fertile Ground for Democrats

By SARAH COOKE
The Associated Press
Saturday, June 4, 2005; 11:23 PM

HELENA, Mont. -- The Rocky Mountain West, long a Republican stronghold, is fertile ground for Democrats hoping to take back Congress and the White House in coming years, Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean told supporters here Saturday.

Democrats have more in common with Westerners than the GOP, the former Vermont governor said.

They appreciate the free-spirited, independent thinking that dominate states like Montana, and understand the wish for a balanced budget and a strong military, as well as treating soldiers well when they get home, something Dean said the Bush administration has neglected.

"I think we're going to have a very appealing message in the Rocky Mountain West," he said. "We want to be everywhere. We don't think just because George Bush won this state by a lot of votes means that Montana is going to be a Republican state forever.

"I think our values are more consistent with Montana values than Republican values are."

link

[Frodo]

I have a question for any Westerners: Why is Idaho so much more heavily Republican than Montana, or even Wyoming? The entire state can't be filled with Ruby Ridge types, so is Idaho more conservative than normal, or is Montana more centrist? 

I am guessing it is partly due to the fact that Idaho has the largest Mormon population outside of Utah.

I am sure Immy can elaborate further........   

[Frodo]

I have a question for any Westerners: Why is Idaho so much more heavily Republican than Montana, or even Wyoming? The entire state can't be filled with Ruby Ridge types, so is Idaho more conservative than normal, or is Montana more centrist? 

I am guessing it is partly due to the fact that Idaho has the largest Mormon population outside of Utah.

I am sure Immy can elaborate further........   

Yeah I knew it had some mormons but I always seem to associate them with Utah and no where else. I guess they're more widespread than I thought. But I wonder if mormons are the only reason.

well no, they are not the only reason, but they are a decisive factor when you are comparing Idaho with Montana and Wyoming.  All three of these states are largely rural, with vast stretches of uninhabited land whose main industries are timber, mining, ranching, and farming, with a population that is profoundly conservative.  In Idaho's case, with the Mormons, they take that natural conservatism that is native to all three of these states an extra step, making it more conservative than its nearest neighbors. 

[Frodo]

AZ. NV, NM, and COLO. That's the best the Dems can hope for any time soon (plus the coast).

And lose Wisconsin and probably Minnesota in the process, plus they would basically be conceding Ohio and Iowa to the Republicans.

granted, but aren't these the states that are losing population and electoral votes?