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Seeing
'Red' |
Posted:
08.16.04
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Thirty states with Republican majorities could prove tough terrain
for Democrats to crack in the 2004 presidential election.
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This election year, the contest between the presidential candidates
- Republican incumbent George W. Bush and  Democratic
nominee John Kerry - is practically guaranteed to reflect just
how ideologically divided voters have become.
Across the country, many voters have already made up their minds
about who they plan to vote for and those voters are divided into
"red" or Republican states, "blue" or Democratic
states and "swing" states-- states that could go either
way come Election Day.
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What are
"red" states? |
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In the 2000 election, there were more red than blue states -
30 in all, ranging from several states in the Deep South to a
slice of
the Midwest, from the Dakotas to Texas, the Utah-Wyoming-Idaho
triangle, and Alaska.
In red states, owning a gun, going to church on Sunday, supporting
the war in Iraq and opposing tax increases, gay marriage and abortion
are more or less the norm. Experts agree that many red states
will probably stay red right through this year's election.
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The Southern
factor |
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With states that Democrat Al Gore won in 2000 considered up for
grabs this time around, Kerry is spending time and money in historically
"red" states that, due to different people moving in
and out, could be winnable this year.
 The
Democratic candidate is doing his best to win over potentially
undecided voters -- even in the red, red territory of the Deep
South. A onetime Democratic stronghold, many white Southern voters
turned to the Republican Party during the turbulent Civil Rights
Movement of the 1960s. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill
Clinton, being Southern, carried at least a few Southern states
apiece, but Al Gore lost them all, including Florida (by 537 votes)
in 2000.
In addition, the number of black voters, who traditionally vote
Democratic, is going up in the South, a factor that could help
Kerry.
In May he launched a $25 million television advertising campaign
aimed at Southerners and he has visited Southern states such as
Virginia and North Carolina.
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Strategies
for wooing red |
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Kerry's choice of charismatic southerner John Edwards as his
running mate could also give him a chance at winning over at least
one traditionally red state -- North Carolina, Edwards' home state.
 Before
Kerry chose Edwards though, some Democrats had floated the idea
of choosing a Republican vice president to help bring in some
"red" votes. Some possibilities were Republican Senator
Chuck Hagel from Nebraska -- another red state -- and popular
Arizona Senator John McCain.
The Democratic candidate, analysts say, has also started to shape
his message to appeal to more conservative voters. "[This
race is] … about common sense, mainstream American values
and how we make our country stronger," Kerry said at a Connecticut
fundraiser in late May - sentiments very similar to his opponent's
campaign.
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What red
means for President Bush |
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For his part, President Bush has spent a vast amount of money
-- $130 million so far - on his reelection effort throughout the
 country.
He has spent more time and money in crucial "swing"
states like Ohio than he has in red states, where his campaign
can rely on party activists to make sure that Republicans get
out and vote on Nov. 2.
However the president has also traveled to the South to reconnect
with his support base and rally his troops, and has visited voters
in red states like Missouri, Idaho, Alaska and Utah.
--
Amy Brill, Online NewsHour
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Like many Californians, I live in a town where teenagers drive to school in gas-guzzling SUVs and pick-up trucks just because they want to look powerful and extravagant.
