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ubertuber · 11-03-2004, 08:09 AM

Locobot,

I don't want to hijack the discussion by belaboring a point, but I'd just point out that the difference is more stark when you look at counties. Truly, FL and OH have reasonably high population densities as states, but that population density is centered on cities. When you look at electoral maps of counties, you see a huge swath of red for Bush in FL with areas around Miami going for Kerry. Ohio looks similar, with the exception of Cincinatti, which went to Bush. Even in NY, a county map shows that the entire state goes republican with the exceptions of NYC, Buffalo and Rochester. If you were to laugh and say "what else is there in NY?" (not that you are or will say that) then you would be reinforcing my point - that there is a lot more to a state than its cities, which is why most of America's landmass is republican territory while our elections are still decided by margins of less than 5%.

Roachboy - I think you are right on in saying that we may be allowing ourselves to paint an unrealistic picture of the electorate based on media exposure. I also agree that the future belongs to the party that can decipher the suburban and exurban (suburb-of-suburbs, like Northern VA) populations, which are increasingly large in terms of population.

11-03-2004, 08:09 AM	#40 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	Locobot, I don't want to hijack the discussion by belaboring a point, but I'd just point out that the difference is more stark when you look at counties. Truly, FL and OH have reasonably high population densities as states, but that population density is centered on cities. When you look at electoral maps of counties, you see a huge swath of red for Bush in FL with areas around Miami going for Kerry. Ohio looks similar, with the exception of Cincinatti, which went to Bush. Even in NY, a county map shows that the entire state goes republican with the exceptions of NYC, Buffalo and Rochester. If you were to laugh and say "what else is there in NY?" (not that you are or will say that) then you would be reinforcing my point - that there is a lot more to a state than its cities, which is why most of America's landmass is republican territory while our elections are still decided by margins of less than 5%. Roachboy - I think you are right on in saying that we may be allowing ourselves to paint an unrealistic picture of the electorate based on media exposure. I also agree that the future belongs to the party that can decipher the suburban and exurban (suburb-of-suburbs, like Northern VA) populations, which are increasingly large in terms of population. __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam Last edited by ubertuber; 11-03-2004 at 08:11 AM..