Very interesting! Your data is a bit inaccurate, though, according to CNN's site - mostly tiny, insignificant map-shading errors. I corrected it, shaded it, and also did a map for the moderates:
Independents
Moderates
Montana was tied at >40% for the first map.
Also, here is a map of the independent vs. moderate vote:
In red-marked states, Kerry did better among independents than he did among moderates. Nevada was a tie.
The fact that a liberal like Kerry won the support of most moderates nationally and on a state-by-state basis, this should bode well for us Democrats in the event of selecting a bona fide moderate Democratic candidate (i.e. one who the GOP can't stigmatise as a liberal) in 2008
Dave
