Massachusetts
			12 votes
			Kerry - 25 points
			The last time this state voted Republican...
			... the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India leaked toxic gases.
			Race
			- Overwhelmingly white - Small Latino population
			Kerry won the white vote here by 19 points. And the small Latino vote by far more.
			Age
			All groups - Kerry
			Significant majorities in every age group for Kerry, but with absolutely dominating performances among the youth and to a lesser extend the elderly.
			Economics
			The richest voters - Bush Everyone else - Kerry
			If you made less than $200,000, you were probably casting your vote for Kerry. Those above that level voted Bush by eight points. Those below chose Kerry. The further down the scale, the bigger the margin. Pattern was similar to New York.
			Politics
			- Very low partisanship - Huge Democratic tilt - Above average Democratic loyalty - Above average Republican loyalty - Independents tilt significantly Democratic
			There are a lot of independents in Massachusetts - 44%, in fact. But that doesn't do much to negate the Democrats' 23 point advantage on the Republicans. Especially since 54% of those independents supported Kerry. Still, they hardly needed it. Massachusetts is actually tied with Rhode Island for the largest advantage of Democrats over Republicans. Unlike many liberal states, Massachusetts Republicans - what few there are - show solid loyalty. But also unusual is the strong Democrat cohesiveness. Both parties stick to their guns in this state.
			Ideology
			- Sizable liberal tilt
			They don't get much more liberal than this. Lefties have a 13-point advantage on conservatives here. Better still, liberals have a 92% loyalty rate versus a pitiful 76% for conservatives. Meanwhile, even the moderates voted for Kerry by 19 points.
			Religion
			- Catholic plurality - Large Protestant population - Small Jewish population
			Massachusetts is one of the few states with more Catholics than Protestants. It is also the only state (excepting D.C.) in which Kerry won both groups. Though following an unusual pattern in some northeastern states, it was the Protestants, not the Catholics, who powered Kerry to victory. He took the Catholics by only two points but the Protestants by 21. The small Jewish population voted 9-1 for Kerry, as well.
			Demographics
			- Majority suburban - Sizable urban population - Significant rural population
			Kerry managed an easy victory in all segments of the population in his homestate.
			Other factors
			Bush could not have been expected to do well in a state in which 50% of the populace "strongly" disapproves of his presidency and another 12% somewhat disapproves. The war fares little better with 58% disapproval.

The Land of the Blue

Where centrism and progressivism meet