Why did George McGovern win so many Massachusetts counties in 1972?

[DPKdebator]

In 1972, George McGovern was able to win all but 5 counties in Massachusetts (Franklin, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket all voted Republican, which pretty much constituted MA's Republican strongholds of that time), which seems pretty normal, but then it all sticks out like a sore thumb compared to all the surrounding states. All of the other traditionally Democratic-voting areas flipped, including every county in Rhode Island. Why exactly is it that so much of Massachusetts held onto the Democrats (except for Plymouth, the only county to flip) while every other stronghold flipped?

[SingingAnalyst]

Maybe because the people blamed Nixon / Republicans for so many textile jobs leaving MA and heading south. In 1972 the unemployment rate in MA was more than a full percentage point above the national average. This may explain why Boston's working class areas went for McGovern: South Boston, by 63%-37%, Somerville, by 67%-33%, Waltham, by 56%-44%, and Lowell, by 60%-39%-- areas that in any other state would be Silent Majority communities for Nixon.

[darklordoftech]

Massechusettes has always been dovish, going all the way back the Puritans' isolationism.

[Sir Tiki]

According to McGovern himself:

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https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2012/10/21/george-mcgovern-indelible-mark-massachusetts-politics/DSStNzC9nxsLdmmGG3WGuN/story.html

[Hydera]

Massachusetts went for Humphrey by a big margin relative to his performance nationwide in 1968. So it might just be an effect of JFK's lasting legacy(first catholic, from massachusetts, people still remembering him after he was assassinated)

Maybe because the people blamed Nixon / Republicans for so many textile jobs leaving MA and heading south. In 1972 the unemployment rate in MA was more than a full percentage point above the national average. This may explain why Boston's working class areas went for McGovern: South Boston, by 63%-37%, Somerville, by 67%-33%, Waltham, by 56%-44%, and Lowell, by 60%-39%-- areas that in any other state would be Silent Majority communities for Nixon.

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/rinan#0

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/manan

Yea Neighboring Rhode island swung towards Nixon heavily as their economy rebounded from the early 1970s recession by late 1971, While Massachusetts only recovered by the end of 1972. Along with the JFK legacy. McGovern was able to win Massachusetts.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Shriver as VP is part of the answer.

The more surprising thing is how much RI swung - more than WV, in terms of the D% vote.