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Excellent discussion topic, ustwo. I've been following all of the Super Tuesday post-game analysis, and the regional differences in voter response are significant for both parties, and not merely anecdotal.
None of the three frontrunners of the Republican party have garnered the support of the party as a whole. Instead, each candidate attracts a specific faction of the party and there are clear regional influences. Huckabee has become the choice of the Religious Right as seen by his wins in Iowa and the Southern Bible Belt. Romney, the Wall Street Republican, has done well in the Northeast and his home state, but doesn't seem to be able to repackage himself as a true conservative in other regions. McCain, the moderate/traitor/RINO/etc, has infuriated the party insiders and yet has become the frontrunner nationally.
The Democratic candidates, Clinton and Obama, have also gained delegates from regional influences. However, their supporters confound easy regional explanations. Sex, race, and age appear to have significantly influenced who supports each candidate in addition to the regional influence.
I agree with ustwo that McCain is the best of three bad choices. I think the Clinton/Obama race may go so far as a brokered convention with super delegates deciding who will be our nominee. Should that happen, expect far more than a regional reaction from democratic, liberal, progressive and independent voters.
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"You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007
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