Ran into a really cool article that poses the question, "How would Appalachia vote as its own state and how would it change the voting behavior of the states surrounding it?" Ok that's two questions.
-The state is 86% white and voted for McCain with 59% of the vote
-The last democrat to win it was Carter in 1976, but Clinton came close in 1996, losing by 2 points
The new state also changes other states around it, take Georgia for example:
-Metro Atlanta becomes the northern edge of the state
-It becomes 49% white and 36% black
-It becomes a swing state
-Clinton wins in 1996, Bush wins twice, and Obama wins by 5 points in 2008
-Roy Barnes wins the gubernatorial election in 2010 as well
-Jim Martin defeats Chambliss in 2008 with 51% of the vote
And there's info for other states as well, check it out
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/06/1061301/-Fantasy-Redistricting-State-of-Appalachia-Part-1-the-States
