Why did Reagan do worse in Appalachia compared to Nixon

[OSR stands with Israel]

For example, Nixon did better in Western PA in 1968 than Reagan did in 1984!

1968:



This is 1972:




now this is 1984:




In SE Kentucky Nixon did around as well in 1968 as Reagan did in 1984 despite the fact that Reagan won by 18 points nationally while Nixon only won by 1 point

1968:


1984:



Also even if you look at 1976 primaries: Reagan performed pretty badly in Appalachia as well:




So what made Reagan even more unpopular in Appalachia than other Republicans at the time

[Senator Incitatus]

McGovern lost organized labor's support, allowing Nixon to win those counties.

In the 1976 primaries, Reagan was criticized for his opposition to the TVA, which sunk him in Appalachia.

[OSR stands with Israel]

McGovern lost organized labor's support, allowing Nixon to win those counties.

In the 1976 primaries, Reagan was criticized for his opposition to the TVA, which sunk him in Appalachia.

Reagan did worse in Western PA in 1984 than Nixon did in 1968!


so it wasnt just McGovern

[Intell]

Reagan's form of conservatism was not attractive to the WWC in unionised counties. His policies destroyed many working-class communities resulting in Mondale having a stronger performance in 84 amongst unionised labor in Appalachia than even Nixon in 1968. The swing was even greater in 1988, with Dukakis winning a plethora of solidly lean republican counties, that the Democrats won in 1964 but hadn't won since 1940

Also n 1968, the campaign was much more focused on white-resentment and law and order that appealed to such communities that felt an alienation to the social progressive anti-war movement, by the 1980's this had dissipated and with class, politics reigning supreme they became more democratic.

The only questions is to why the Democrats slowly lost ground amongst these voters (with lower turnout amongst Democrats in 1996, and 2000). And a continual loss in support amongst working class voters since 2000, from the Democrats under Clinton became a neo-liberal party and gave up on class politics, eventually culminating in 2012, in which the WWC voted for Romney but Obama won. The first time the democratic party had won without winning the WWC.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Reagan's form of conservatism was not attractive to the WWC in unionised counties. His policies destroyed many working-class communities resulting in Mondale having a stronger performance in 84 amongst unionised labor in Appalachia than even Nixon in 1968. The swing was even greater in 1988, with Dukakis winning a plethora of solidly lean republican counties, that the Democrats won in 1964 but hadn't won since 1940

Also n 1968, the campaign was much more focused on white-resentment and law and order that appealed to such communities that felt an alienation to the social progressive anti-war movement, by the 1980's this had dissipated and with class, politics reigning supreme they became more democratic.

The only questions is to why the Democrats slowly lost ground amongst these voters (with lower turnout amongst Democrats in 1996, and 2000). And a continual loss in support amongst working class voters since 2000, from the Democrats under Clinton became a neo-liberal party and gave up on class politics, eventually culminating in 2012, in which the WWC voted for Romney but Obama won. The first time the democratic party had won without winning the WWC.

Though why was it then only really limited to WWC areas in Appalachia, as Reagan outperformed in counties like Macomb, and Lackawanna.

[Intell]

Reagan's form of conservatism was not attractive to the WWC in unionised counties. His policies destroyed many working-class communities resulting in Mondale having a stronger performance in 84 amongst unionised labor in Appalachia than even Nixon in 1968. The swing was even greater in 1988, with Dukakis winning a plethora of solidly lean republican counties, that the Democrats won in 1964 but hadn't won since 1940

Also n 1968, the campaign was much more focused on white-resentment and law and order that appealed to such communities that felt an alienation to the social progressive anti-war movement, by the 1980's this had dissipated and with class, politics reigning supreme they became more democratic.

The only questions is to why the Democrats slowly lost ground amongst these voters (with lower turnout amongst Democrats in 1996, and 2000). And a continual loss in support amongst working class voters since 2000, from the Democrats under Clinton became a neo-liberal party and gave up on class politics, eventually culminating in 2012, in which the WWC voted for Romney but Obama won. The first time the democratic party had won without winning the WWC.

Though why was it then only really limited to WWC areas in Appalachia, as Reagan outperformed in counties like Macomb, and Lackawanna.

White resentment and flight still existed in Macomb. Lackawanna, I can't explain but even there since it was so close, I'm sure Mondale won the WWC while Reagan pulled off amazing numbers amongst the lower-middle class and middle-class that propelled his victory there. Also Appalachia has generally been more unionised and poorer and hurt more by the policies of Reagan than other working class areas.



- Images of coal mining areas in the US

What does this map correspond to very strongly to?

If you look at the 1988 presidential election county map, the democratic vote corresponds this to both WWC and working-class communities of colour throughout America, (apart from where there was white flight and a busing crisis, (Macomb County).

[DINGO Joe]

Why did WV lose 150,000 people in population in the 80s?  What does WV have in common with SWPA and East KY?  You have some mind numbing gaps in your knowledge of economic history.

[darklordoftech]

- Nixon was running in a time of extreme polarization over social issues and foreign policy (hippies, race riots, Vietnam, school bussing)
- Reagan was a union-buster and a free-trader

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

- Nixon was running in a time of extreme polarization over social issues and foreign policy (hippies, race riots, Vietnam, school bussing)
- Reagan was a union-buster and a free-trader

Also keep in mind that commodity prices slumped in the 1980's. This helped manufacturing somewhat so Reagan did better in places like Scranton then in Western PA, because manufacturing recovered somewhat but mining did not.

[Hydera]

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/10/us/90-jobless-rate-grinds-west-virginia-coal-town.html

As mentioned there was a slump in coal prices which rocked states like West Virginia. Even if Reagan did 2% better nation-wide and matched Nixon's 1972 performance in the country he'd get 57%. About 5.6% down from Nixon's performance in the state in 1972.

[Badger]

Why did WV lose 150,000 people in population in the 80s?  What does WV have in common with SWPA and East KY?  You have some mind numbing gaps in your knowledge of economic history.

This. I will also reiterate the complete collapse of the steel and other manufacturing Industries in the region. There were a lot of Steel factories and iron refineries Etc in Appalachia as well as coal mines, which also of course collapsed.

I remember this quite harrowingly first hand living in Suburban Pittsburgh at the time.