name two states taht are very different politically...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The Reps do hold a seat in W.Va. and have for quite a while, and the state's only got three of'em.

Actually Capito first won in 2000; an upset caused by an absolutely dire candidate, probably the worst the WV Dems have run for anything recently (with the possible exception of Hechler or [insert McGraw here]). He ran again in 2002... *shudders*
I've had a close look at the 2004 results for WV-2 and she seems to have won on name recognition along; the Dem was fairly well known in the Charleston area (which he won) but completely unknown in the Ohio Valley and the rural east of the district... and was uttely nuked in both. I have a suspicion that Capito could struggle against the likely Democratic candidate next year; he's a former state party chair and... er... how shall I put this... "knows people"...
But until the '80's the Republicans did often win House seats in WV (the delagation was actually tied in 1980).

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Does this map help?

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It sorta does... but it's tiny. There's also some well off suburbs of Charleston (*not* the Chemical Valley ones o/c...)

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[minionofmidas]

Yeah, McDowell's the blackest county in WVa. About 10% IIRC.
That map doesn't help.

[Gustaf]

States that are similar but with different grading should no be counted, I think. (VT and NH comes to mind)

[jimrtex]

...yet border each other.

Based on the last 25 presidential elections:

MN-ND   15, including last 8.
MN-SD   13, including last 8.
VA-WV   12
MA-VT   12
MD-VA   11, including last 4
MI-OH   10
MA-NH   10, 1936-1944 was longest streak together.
IN-KY   10
AL-TN   10
MS-TN   10
AK-HI    9 of 12, including last 7
OH-PA    9
IA-MN    9
MO-NE    9
GA-TN    9
AR-OK    9
FL-GA    9
MI-WI    9
NY-VT    9

[MaC]

surprised nobody's said Arizona and California yet.  California's a big state, but southern California's more liberal, and it's bordering Arizona.

[True Democrat]

surprised nobody's said Arizona and California yet.  California's a big state, but southern California's more liberal, and it's bordering Arizona.

Actually NE California is more liberal, and it is actually fairly moderate on economic issues, which is not that different from Arizona.

[MaC]

surprised nobody's said Arizona and California yet.  California's a big state, but southern California's more liberal, and it's bordering Arizona.

Actually NE California is more liberal, and it is actually fairly moderate on economic issues, which is not that different from Arizona.

eh, perhaps. I still stick by those states.