People often joke about the ‘left coast’ and how the Pacific states are pretty darn blue. If you needed any proof of that look at this election.
Nationally the GOP gained 50-60 House seats, 5-6 Senate Seats, 10 Governors Mansions and a myriad of legislative seats.
In the 5 Pacific States (CA/OR/WA/AK/HI) it looks like the GOP will not gain a single House seat and will thus end up down 1 with a loss in Hawaii.
They will not gain a single Governors mansion and will lose one in California.
They will not gain a single Senate seat though they probably won’t lose any either.
The state legislatures of Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii are likely to remain solidly Democratic.
Now I am sure many of our liberal friends will celebrate this fact but it is a pretty stunning monolithic attitude.
In other words it seems for the voters in these states the issues are not relevant, only the party is.
Obviously we could find equally solidly partisan areas for the GOP but if you look at 2006 and 2008 even many of these areas turned against the GOP when they thought they were wrong.
Again, I understand people have their own political views and so depending on what they are you may be thrilled with the ‘left coast’.
But it seems to me people are best served when both sides are part of the process, or where those in control are at least open to suggestions.