So it looks like Minnesota will be the state closest to the national pop. vote

[MT Treasurer]

It was VA in 2008 and 2012, now it looks like it will be MN - the most Democratic state in the country just 32 years ago.

[Dr. Arch]

Just 32 years? That's an eternity, politically-speaking.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

Does Minnesota keep moving right? I say there are more voters for the Dems to alienate here - to a point. I could see it getting to an even PVI in 2020 or even a Republican one if Dems nominate an SJW candidate. If they go back to an Obama-style candidate, I think Minnesota will move back to the left a bit.

[MT Treasurer]

Just 32 years? That's an eternity, politically-speaking.

Haha, true. Most people consider it a solid blue state though, so it's still interesting IMO.

[Figueira]

And New Hampshire, the most second-most Republican state just 28 years ago, is also very close to the national popular vote.

[Fusionmunster]

I'm thinking Hillary was just a bad fit with white Midwestern voters and a different candidate will return it to its norm as a solid blue state.

[Figueira]

Just 32 years? That's an eternity, politically-speaking.

Haha, true. Most people consider it a solid blue state though, so it's still interesting IMO.

People have this weird obsession with how long states have voted for a particular party. I don't get why whether a state voted for Dukakis or not has any bearing on how they would vote today.

One thing I'm wondering though is why northeastern Minnesota still voted for Clinton. I get Duluth, but what about, say, Cook County? Is it a Midwestern version of Vermont or something?

[Beet]

In retrospect, it's crazy that Hillary won the Iowa caucus.

[Coolface Sock #42069]

I'm thinking Hillary was just a bad fit with white Midwestern voters and a different candidate will return it to its norm as a solid blue state.

If they start nominating candidates who are a better fit.

In retrospect, it's crazy that Hillary won the Iowa caucus.

She was up against a 74-year old socialist. The fact that Bernie did as well as he did is only a testament to Hillary's weaknesses.

One thing I'm wondering though is why northeastern Minnesota still voted for Clinton. I get Duluth, but what about, say, Cook County? Is it a Midwestern version of Vermont or something?

That's the "Iron Range" part of the state. There are tons of iron deposits in this area, so the main industry is mining, which results in it being heavily unionized. That iron is shipped out of a port in Duluth at the western tip of Lake Superior in Saint Louis County. But Trump made a massive improvement over Mitt Romney here - Obama crushed Romney here while Trump was competitive.

[Figueira]

I'm thinking Hillary was just a bad fit with white Midwestern voters and a different candidate will return it to its norm as a solid blue state.

If they start nominating candidates who are a better fit.

In retrospect, it's crazy that Hillary won the Iowa caucus.

She was up against a 74-year old socialist. The fact that Bernie did as well as he did is only a testament to Hillary's weaknesses.

One thing I'm wondering though is why northeastern Minnesota still voted for Clinton. I get Duluth, but what about, say, Cook County? Is it a Midwestern version of Vermont or something?

That's the "Iron Range" part of the state. There are tons of iron deposits in this area, so the main industry is mining, which results in it being heavily unionized. That iron is shipped out of a port in Duluth at the western tip of Lake Superior in Saint Louis County. But Trump made a massive improvement over Mitt Romney here - Obama crushed Romney here while Trump was competitive.

Cook County, MN, barely swung towards Trump. The results there were almost the same as 2012.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

And New Hampshire, the most second-most Republican state just 28 years ago, is also very close to the national popular vote.

It took only 16 years to vote for a losing (popular vote too) Democrat.

[angus]

In retrospect, it's crazy that Hillary won the Iowa caucus.

not just in retrospect.  I thought it was bizarre at the time. 

But caucuses are strange beasts, harder to account than primary elections.

[ApatheticAustrian]

hillary MN victory marge = about the number she won in unprecedented minneapolis blowout. biggest victory there since the 60ies.

[Figueira]

How did Tom Emmer's district vote?

[PresidentTRUMP]

Looks like MN could be the next state that has been blue for decades to turn red.

[ApatheticAustrian]

Looks like MN could be the next state that has been blue for decades to turn red.

possible but if you follow that logic to its end there are no blue or red states anymores, cause everything could happen everywhere, all the time.

[Virginiá]

I'm thinking Hillary was just a bad fit with white Midwestern voters and a different candidate will return it to its norm as a solid blue state.

That's my belief, but only if Democrats choose the right candidate and begin appealing more to voters who ditched them this year. There are signs that Democrats could be in decline in WI/MN, but things could easily change for the better in 2020.

There's really no way to tell from just 1 presidential election between the two most unpopular candidates in history, one of whom seemed uniquely unsuited for the rustbelt/GL states. The swings in some of these states could end up being no more significant than those from MT/MO/IN in 2008.

[elcorazon]

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan have all been moving to center for years. There never was a blue firewall and it was a misconception that even the F'ing campaign seemed to buy into. When it became clear that Iowa wasn't competitive, I struggled to buy into the notion that MN and WI were truly impenetrable. I kept hoping I was being a bedwetter. Sadly, I wasn't. My instinct was correct that somehow this was a disconnect.

Minnesota has been competitive for awhile, folks.

[Person Man]

I'm thinking Hillary was just a bad fit with white Midwestern voters and a different candidate will return it to its norm as a solid blue state.

That's my belief, but only if Democrats choose the right candidate and begin appealing more to voters who ditched them this year. There are signs that Democrats could be in decline in WI/MN, but things could easily change for the better in 2020.

There's really no way to tell from just 1 presidential election between the two most unpopular candidates in history, one of whom seemed uniquely unsuited for the rustbelt/GL states. The swings in some of these states could end up being no more significant than those from MT/MO/IN in 2008.

We still gotta work and Trump might seal the deal if he's succesful. I think we will be OK there if he is just ok to the 10% who aren't #MAGA or think he is a fascist.

[5280]

Sooner or later, MN will vote for the GOP president. It can't be a red state forever.

[ApatheticAustrian]

Sooner or later, MN will vote for the GOP president. It can't be a red state forever.

i think most of those movements could be changed regarding which directions the parties take after this "realignment election".

[Ban my account ffs!]

I'm thinking Hillary was just a bad fit with white Midwestern voters and a different candidate will return it to its norm as a solid blue state.

If they start nominating candidates who are a better fit.

In retrospect, it's crazy that Hillary won the Iowa caucus.

She was up against a 74-year old socialist. The fact that Bernie did as well as he did is only a testament to Hillary's weaknesses.

One thing I'm wondering though is why northeastern Minnesota still voted for Clinton. I get Duluth, but what about, say, Cook County? Is it a Midwestern version of Vermont or something?

That's the "Iron Range" part of the state. There are tons of iron deposits in this area, so the main industry is mining, which results in it being heavily unionized. That iron is shipped out of a port in Duluth at the western tip of Lake Superior in Saint Louis County. But Trump made a massive improvement over Mitt Romney here - Obama crushed Romney here while Trump was competitive.

Cook County, MN, barely swung towards Trump. The results there were almost the same as 2012.

Cook county is very nearly empty... and the few people who do live there tend to be baby boomer granola grazers.

There's not much there... except woods... and the lake.  It's absolutely gorgeous in the fall.



As for the state going GOP:  If economic populist/socially ambiguous is the new norm for the GOP, then maybe it will.  But if the "gut it, cut it, drown it in a tub" wing continues, as it will, then it probably won't.

[libertpaulian]

And New Hampshire, the most second-most Republican state just 28 years ago, is also very close to the national popular vote.

Which makes New Hampshrie...DUN DUN DUN...a SWING STATE!!!

[Rules for me, but not for thee]

Does Minnesota keep moving right? I say there are more voters for the Dems to alienate here - to a point. I could see it getting to an even PVI in 2020 or even a Republican one if Dems nominate an SJW candidate. If they go back to an Obama-style candidate, I think Minnesota will move back to the left a bit.

The DFL has been shooting themselves in the foot since Paul Wellstone died and they tried to capitalize on that at his funeral.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Does Minnesota keep moving right? I say there are more voters for the Dems to alienate here - to a point. I could see it getting to an even PVI in 2020 or even a Republican one if Dems nominate an SJW candidate. If they go back to an Obama-style candidate, I think Minnesota will move back to the left a bit.

The DFL has been shooting themselves in the foot since Paul Wellstone died and they tried to capitalize on that at his funeral.

As far as I know, it isn't the DFL that doesn't hold one statewide office despite them being up for election in 2010 or the again in 2014 plus Al Franken's senate seat.

As far as I know, it isn't te DFL still not being able to contribute to campaigns because they have no money whatsoever and instead rely solely on national contributions after nearly going bankrupt and being evicted from the party HQ.

As far as I know, all 5 DFLer congressional incumbents were sent back to Washington.

Minnesota is a perfect example of a state party that is hanging on despite what the fools at the DNC have done.