How conservative is Richmond?

[ButterflyBlood]

I know it was the capital of the Confederacy, and I constantly hear about how it's Freeperville. But according to the 2000 election results, in the actual city of Richmond (in Virginia most major cities are counted as their own county), Gore got 64.8% to 30.7%. What's the deal?

[GainesT1958]

1. Most of what's actually in the city limits...

Is fairly open-minded; the REAL "Conservative Richmond" is in the suburbs, particularly in the West End area.

B-)

[AlFrankenFan]

6. Ya, no wonder my father moved us there when I was little

The stupid Freeper he is...:P

[flowomo]

2. Hey, it's the home base of Gwar!

How conservative can it be?????

[ButterflyBlood]

4. I was thinking similarly too

I know there's a HUGE DIY activist community and lots of political punk bands there there.

[Nay]

3. I live in Richmond but I'm not a native. Richmond City is, I think,

predominantly black, and thus the Dem votes. At least the black people here vote their own interests. From what I understand, there was the usual white flight to the counties, and there you will find it much more Bushie.

If I'm wrong, please, some native step forward and correct me. I just never could get into the politics or history of this area. Too depressing (except for the Rev War sites).

[arewethereyet]

5. racial breakdown runs not so far from the election results

a fairly large liberal white population (relative to the surrounding counties) making up the difference.

factor in "white flight" in the 70's, high crime, terrible schools, high taxes, massively corrupt city government and the disparity becomes easier to understand.

step outside the city limits and its the Richmond you imagine. given that the surrounding counties exceed the city in population (I think) 2-1 and the analagy is complete.