Party standpoints

[Schmitz in 1972]

The standpoints of the states are  constantly changing although sometimes the changes seem a bit more dramatic (i. e. the south voting for Goldwater in 1964  while Vermont voted for Johnson). 2000 was a very good election in how it showed very simply where every state pretty much stands right now (in most other elections the strength of the winning candidate overpowers some state standpoints). 2008 will be very interesting because for the first time since 1952 it will truly be an "open seat" contest.

1952: Truman and Barkley decline to run for president
1956: Incumbent Pres Eisenhower runs (W)
1960: Incumbent Veep Nixon runs (L)
1964: Incumbent Pres Johnson runs (W)
1968: Incumbent Veep Humphrey runs (L)
1972: Incumbent Pres Nixon runs (W)
1976: Incumbent Pres Ford runs (L)
1980: Incumbent Pres Carter runs (L)
1984: Incumbent Pres Reagan runs (W)
1988: Incumbent Veep Bush runs (W)
1992: Incumbent Pres Bush runs (L)
1996: Incumbent Pres Clinton runs (W)
2000: Incumbent Veep Gore runs (L)
2004: Incumbent Pres Bush runs (W)

With Bush term limited and Cheney almost certain not to run it looks as though we will have a kind of election not seen since 1952.