what turned this state red?

[pstokely]

It went for Dukakis in 88. Was it coal industry propaganda?

[we can do it]

1. OMG - It Must Have Been Clinton - Everything Else Is His Fault

[montanacowboy]

2. iN 2000 THE REPUKES SCARED THEM TO

DEATH ABOUT AL GORE GOING TO GUT THE COAL INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING AND THEY BOUGHT THAT AND GUN CONTROL HOOK LINE AND SINKER

NOW LOOK AT THAT PITIFUL STATE - MINERS KILLED LEFT AND RIGHT, THEIR MOUNTAINTOPS BEING CUT OFF AND THROWN INTO THE VALLEYS AND POLLUTING THE RIVERS WITH RUNOFF AND TOPSOIL

I LIVED IN WEST VIRGINIA AND ACROSS THE RIVER WHERE I WAS BORN FOR 26 YEARS AND ITS NOTHING LIKE IT USED TO BE

WONDER IF THESE PEOPLE LIKE WHAT THEY GOT FOR THEIR RED VOTES NOW?

[Joe for Clark]

3. The repubs used their 10 second sound bites better.

They scared people - we attempted to reason.

If politics is really just a game, afterall - we better be able to get a better message off in ten seconds. I really think that is a big part of our problem.

And then we have the MSM - and I mean CNN particularly - "Nothing to see here, folks"
When all hell was breaking lose for our kids overseas. I'll never forgive them for that - never.

If we had an actual news station that did more than repeat administration talking points and call it news - we would be just fine right now. Clearly, we don't. Maybe some print sources.

It looks like critical thinking has died for the fourth estate - and that is the biggest problem - and it will cost all of us, one day soon, I fear.

Joe

[Hubert Flottz]

4. Guns and Clinton's fling!

Even Mr Byrd was pissed at Clinton.

[wallybarron]

5. I think a lot

of things. Guns, abortion. A lot of West Virginians feel like the Democratic Party has left them. They feel like their religion is disrespected. They still vote mainly D in state races because the candidates are very conservative.

[benEzra]

6. The gun issue had a lot to do with it in the '90's, 2000, and 2004...

I know there are other factors, but Gore's talk-up-hunting-while-bashing-nonhunting-guns position hurt him badly in 2000 (don't forget, Gore lost his own home state in that race, for the same reasons), and Kerry had the same problem in 2004.

Here's one perspective from virginiamountainman of DU (he's in rural Va., but the same issues apply). Some excerpts below; see link for the whole post.

Alienated Rural Democrat (DU post)

My family has STRONG Democratic roots, Both my parents where union organizers in some textile mills in southwest Virginia back in the 1970’s I was the “Democratic poster child” in parades back in the 70’s, we was also featured on the nightly news for a period of time, with my mother's work with bringing the union into town, (ultimately unsuccessful) My mother was also a delegate, from the state of Virginia, for Mondale, at the democratic convention. My wife’s family has just as strong roots. Her father has just retired from the coalmines. Her grandfather has served in local government on the democratic ticket for many years, and is also a union man.

My “alienation” began around 1993, when gun control started being a loudly contested issue. My WHOLE FAMILY owns guns, we ALL where raised around them...I remember, me and my (then hardcore democratic uncle) was watching the news about the Brady bill, he got very silent about it, but was still supportive to the Democrats. Then the AW ban came, I remember seeing Feinstein on the news, holding up a semi auto AK up saying that ONLY CRIMINALS would have one. (Between all of us, we had 4 of those rifles) in the next election my uncles and cousins went republican, I did too. I PROUDLY voted for Bill Clinton over Bush SR, he took my vote and betrayed me and my family. We saw the party that we supported faithfully for generations literally turn on us overnight it seemed. Gun Control was all over the news and if you disagreed, you where “outside the mainstream” or a “gun nut.” Some will say we are just bigots, religious zealots, and “simpletons” and we don’t matter. But the truth is I could not careless about gay marriage, I am supportive of abortion rights, I detest what is happened in Iraq, I BELIEVE IN ALL OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

Let me point out the damage that gun control has done to the democrats; my family has swung to the right. All my uncles and cousins proudly sport “Bush 2004” and “W” stickers on their cars. My father-in-law does not vote anymore, he cannot vote for the “gun banners” but he can’t bring himself to vote for the republicans neither. ONLY MY WIFE’S GRANDFATHER STILL OPENLY SUPPORTS DEMOCRATS. My wife has swung to the right, she is STILL gloating about the election.

See also this thread, if you're interested:

Dems and the Gun Issue--Now What?

FWIW, I'm in NC. My state voted in our pro-gun, NRA-endorsed governor 55%/45%, but rejected the anti-gun presidential ticket 45%/55%. Draw what conclusions you will.

[pstokely]

7. has the religion industry always been powerful?

[wallybarron]

8. Not any more so

than most places. In my great grandfather's obit it stated he was a life long Dem instead of life long whatever religion. Whenever someone indicated they might vote R, it was said, "This will kill-insert name-, or, "This will make your grandfather, father, whatever roll over in his/her grave. I come from a very small town with no nativity scenes at Christmas. One of those "outside religious agitators" tried to get the churches to put them up this year. The answer was no, we're not really interested. Go figure.

[Lasher]

9. Democratic support for equal rights

In addition to other reasons already mentioned in this thread, Democratic decline in this and other southern states has been partly caused by the Democratic support for equal rights. Resentment began during the Kennedy administration, and has been a factor ever since. Why else would so many good ole boy Nascar rednecks (I'm one myself) support a political party that obviously favors big business and rich people over working men and women? Guns and abortion can't be the only answers to this question, IMHO.

But you know what? If we would never have won another election, supporting equal rights was the right thing to do, and still is.

[wallybarron]

10. Where is

that? Charleston?