Were you surprised by Obama's win in San Diego County? (home, taxes)

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Obama was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win a majority in San Diego County since World World II. He easily beat McCain 54-44.

San Diego County's history of voting for Republican candidates combined with McCain's background in the military had me convinced that McCain was going to win this county.

What do you think happened? Has San Diego really changed that much over the last few years, or do you think it was simply the strong enthusiasm for Obama that made the difference? (Or maybe it was a combination of both.) Were there other factors?

If you're interested, here's a little more information about the political history of SD County:

San Diego County, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Another big change last year:

Democrats take voter lead in county

For the first time in 24 years, there are more Democrats than Republicans among registered voters in San Diego County.

The change appeared increasingly inevitable in the final weeks before Tuesday's election as Democrats increased their ranks at a 2-to-1 rate over Republicans.

Newsblog | Democrats take voter lead in county

[drshang]

I think it's a combination of lots of young people moving to SD, a growing latin american population and a pretty widespread dissatisfaction among the military with the war in iraq.

[ubringliten]

^^^That and the growing biotech/pharma and tech industries that are happening in the county. In addition, I also think by a natural progression that people become more liberal than conservative. Everything you see around us is changing and diversifying which makes it difficult to fight change.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by ubringliten

I also think by a natural progression that people become more liberal than conservative.

I think the trend throughout the 1980s would contradict that statement - probably the 1950s too.

[ubringliten]

Originally Posted by AnUnidentifiedMale

I think the trend throughout the 1980s would contradict that statement - probably the 1950s too.

I am thinking in terms of the whole history of mankind.

[kettlepot]

Coastal California has become home to the rich and the poor while the middle class increasingly has moved inland, either to the Central Valley or Arizona and Colorado. The Rich/Poor coalition is the Obama/Democratic coalition, and San Diego's demographics and voting patterns are matching that.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

Coastal California has become home to the rich and the poor while the middle class increasingly has moved inland, either to the Central Valley or Arizona and Colorado. The Rich/Poor coalition is the Obama/Democratic coalition, and San Diego's demographics and voting patterns are matching that.

Interesting theory/point. I don't believe it's the only reason why Obama did so well in SD County, but I do think it's a contributing one.

[SanDiegoTeen]

I think San Diego is more moderate than anything else. I believe it was the "McBush" problem, people just did not want to vote for a 3rd Bush term. That said, it's not as if San Diego County voters are not tax and spend liberals. They are very much adverse to higher taxes and illegal immigration.

It was a protest vote. San Diego is just moderate. The liberals and conservatives tend to be moderate and not very extreme...at least that's what I've found in North coastal SD.

[happ]

Some Republicans don't want to admit it but the military voted Democratic like they have not done in many decades. The huge presence of the military in San Diego county has been responsible for the large GOP turnout in the past but not any more. There are many minorities in the military & they did not vote for McCain. The city of San Diego is Democratic & has been for some time but the north county region has been Republican since Mormons\evangelicals have settled in that area.

I don't think the GOP will see San Diego county vote Republican for a long time. California Republicans are a world apart from Republicans in the South & have either left the party or stopped voting Republican until it comes to its senses.