Return to the Free Liberal Homepage

« Obama Can Fix America's Image | Main | Calculating the Cost of a Carbon Tax »

Is The Path to Liberty to the North?

Here's a pattern that may be of interest to TFL readers: On Super Tuesday, Ron Paul broke double digits in four states. Part of this might simply be because the field is smaller. On the other hand, the early primaries were more jump-balls, without a clear front-runner, which McCain has become since FL.

Perhaps more interesting is that Paul bested 10% in northern tier states, and did worst in southern tier states on Super Tues. He achieved double digits in MN, ND, MT, AK, and nowhere else.

Paul's support was worst in the southern states of GA, AL, OK, along with MA, which is no surprise. Throw out the convention format in WV, and UT as a kind of Mormon pride vote for Romney, who got 90% there.

Implication? Perhaps none. But it could be that the "leave me alone" attitude is stronger in colder, more isolated places.

-RC

Posted by Robert Capozzi on February 6, 2008 07:20 AM |

Comments

I think it is more that some populist or liberty minded voters in the South, particularly Fair Taxers, calculated that Mike Huckabee was as close to their position, or at least close enough to justify voting for them.

In the North, where Huck did not campaign, they voted for Paul since Huck was seen as having no chance.

This supports the hypothesis that Mike Huckabee is the "Upper Left" candidate in Carl Milsted's diagram.

Posted by: Michael Bindner | February 6, 2008 11:23 AM

It's not about freedom. The north is just a bunch of gurly-mans who don't want to kick ass in Iraq.

Posted by: Balph Eubank | February 6, 2008 05:56 PM

So long as we're throwing insults, perhaps it's that southerners are a bunch of backward, bloodthirsty, paleo-confederate racist hicks? Who marry their cousins and... :p

Posted by: Tarvok [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 6, 2008 10:20 PM

Tarvok,
If I believed what you say, perhaps I might write that. Since I don't, I won't!

People are people, everywhere. Still, I don't deny that there seem to be regional tendencies. Barney Frank can get elected in the Northeast, but I really doubt his brand of liberalism would play in the south. Jesse Helms can get elected in NC, but I seriously doubt his brand of conservatism would play in the Pacific Northwest.

It should be no real surprise that Ron Paul did well in the northern tier states. From my experience, people in those places tend to wear their "leave me alone" attitude on their sleeves more than, say, people from San Francisco and New York. This is an observation on prevailing culture, and how it relates to politics.

-RC

Posted by: Robert Capozzi | February 7, 2008 06:01 AM

Tarvok: the proper way to stick out your tongue is to use the letter thorn :-þ

Posted by: Balph Eubank | February 7, 2008 11:03 AM

Post a comment

Free-for-all (frfr-ôl) -- n. A disorderly fight, argument, or competition in which everyone present participates.

from Dictionary.com



Advertisement
Free For All -- The Free Liberal Blog