The state of Missouri has long been seen as a bellwether state, as it had correctly voted for the winner of the Presidency in every election in the 20th century, except 1956, when it voted for Adlai Stevenson over Dwight D. Eisenhower by a small margin of a few thousand votes.
The Missouri tradition of voting for the winner continued in 2000 and 2004, but again, in 2008, by a few thousand votes, Missouri voted for John McCain over Barack Obama.
So only twice did the Presidential winner lose Missouri since 1900, but now it has happened a third time, and this time not only a few thousand votes separate Mitt Romney from Barack Obama.
So the margin is 260,000 votes, a massive lead for Romney, making Missouri clearly lose its status as a bellwether state, at least for the time being!
Hello Professor,
It would appear to me that Missouri has not only lost its “Bellwether Status” but also its collective sanity within its “Working Middle Class.”
I also want to pass on that I had a great time over the holidays with my family and friends. I am already making plans to return for a longer stay at Christmas….or the Pagan Winter Solstice, “Brumalia,†honoring Bacchus if you prefer…. 🙂
It is amazing how Missouri has gone so far to the right this election, and this makes the victory of Claire McCaskill even more amazing for her Senate reelection. She won by over 421,000 votes after winning her first term by only the bare margin of 51,000 votes. It makes one wonder if this lady should not be considered for President with her magnificent feat. But it makes one think racism had to be a factor for Obama’s poor performance, as it does not make sense otherwise, sadly.
I am glad you had a good time with your family over Thanksgiving, welcome you back, and hope you will continue to contribute on this blog! 🙂