How did NJ become a blue state? (Reagan, polls, regular)

[J.Thomas]

Back in the day Republicans were always winning NJ.

Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush.

What happened?

[Northeastah]

the GOP has really separated themselves as of late from the previous gen of conservatives.

Gone are the days of focusing on their really important platform issues like smaller gov't, less intrusion into people's lives, etc.

Now the #1 item on the GOP platform is that definition of marriage is 1 man and 1 woman.

so that's what happened.

[MJJersey]

Originally Posted by Northeastah

the GOP has really separated themselves as of late from the previous gen of conservatives.

Gone are the days of focusing on their really important platform issues like smaller gov't, less intrusion into people's lives, etc.

Now the #1 item on the GOP platform is that definition of marriage is 1 man and 1 woman.

so that's what happened.

I agree. And with taxes the way they are here it might not stay blue for long.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Northeastah

the GOP has really separated themselves as of late from the previous gen of conservatives.

Gone are the days of focusing on their really important platform issues like smaller gov't, less intrusion into people's lives, etc.

Now the #1 item on the GOP platform is that definition of marriage is 1 man and 1 woman.

so that's what happened.

The GOP desire to ban abortion also figures in.

[Last1Out]

Most of the old Jerseyites retired and moved out of state. Jersey began its slide into decrepitude when Byrne was elected.

[whogo]

The economy went to hell. Poor people vote for free stuff.

[TristramShandy]

They have college educations.

Look at the list of states in terms of percentage of citizens with bachelor degrees. With Virginia looking to be a purple state at least now, you don't find a red state until 16th and Kansas:

Massachusetts
Maryland
Colorado
Connecticut
New Jersey
Virginia
Vermont
New York
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Washington
Illinois
Rhode Island
California
Hawaii

Going the other way, with the exceptions of purple Nevada and Ohio, it takes until the 15th state on the lowest percentage of bachelor degrees until you find the first blue state in Michigan.

West Virginia
Arkansas
Mississippi
Kentucky
Louisiana
Nevada
Alabama
Indiana
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Wyoming
Idaho
Ohio
South Carolina

College educated people aren't going to look too kindly to the anti-science, anti-intellectualism of the Republican Party.

[Dockside]

NJ became blue because the usual combination of Democrats and public sector unions ganged up to regularly vote in liberal Democrats who rammed through raises and generous pension packages for unon members. To avoid deficits created by these shenanigans, NJ had to keep borrowing money. Chris Christie broke the chain saying no more borrowing, we finance budgets with cuts. The second Christie is gone NJ will go back to its usual ways. NJ likes their politicians Democrat and slightly crooked...just look at Menendez. You don't have to be too bright either, just look at Cory Booker...who Democrats are working hard to turn into the next Obama.

[Kracer]

Originally Posted by J.Thomas

Back in the day Republicans were always winning NJ.

Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush.

What happened?

The growth of the gulible and increase in uber rich liberals when NJ had jobs and featured world headquarters for many companies.


Though Newark had been under dem control since the 40s and apparently the disaster that is newark is fine and acceptable to the voters along with an increase in the murder rate to statistically 2+ a week, up from a murder a month since the 60s.


Apparently dems and voters are at a loss as to solutions and prefer to re-elect people who do nothing and make politics and its perks their sole goal. The old adage, I like you because are like me is at play.


NJEA isn't helping much.

[whogo]

Originally Posted by TristramShandy

They have college educations.

Look at the list of states in terms of percentage of citizens with bachelor degrees. With Virginia looking to be a purple state at least now, you don't find a red state until 16th and Kansas:

Massachusetts
Maryland
Colorado
Connecticut
New Jersey
Virginia
Vermont
New York
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Washington
Illinois
Rhode Island
California
Hawaii

Going the other way, with the exceptions of purple Nevada and Ohio, it takes until the 15th state on the lowest percentage of bachelor degrees until you find the first blue state in Michigan.

West Virginia
Arkansas
Mississippi
Kentucky
Louisiana
Nevada
Alabama
Indiana
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Wyoming
Idaho
Ohio
South Carolina

College educated people aren't going to look too kindly to the anti-science, anti-intellectualism of the Republican Party.

Of course educated people understand that looking at red state / blue state numbers to come to your conclusion is pretty stupid when you actually have exit polls from the 2012 election.

Those with some high school voted overwhelmingly Democrat. Those with four year college degrees voted Republican by a 51-47 margin despite Obama winning the election.