While I believe this is generally true in your lifetime, it is a recent turn. Alabama has only had 4 Republican Governors out of 52. The first one was elected in 1868 and there was not another one until Guy Hunt was elected in 1987. There have been two since Hunt including the present Governor. Historically, with the exception of the last 15-20 years, Alabama was overwhelmingly Democratic.

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AGREED!! My in-laws have lived here in the South for over 30 years and they STILL talk about how great things up north are/were. That bugs the crap out of me.

The same as when I took a job working for a yankee (I use the term yankee, yes, but its not an insult until I add the word "damn" in front of it ;) ) and all she would do was criticize the people we worked with because our food was not up to par for her, our ideas would "never work up north" -- hello?!, and she didn't like the fact that because she was over 50, people down here called her "m'am".

I definitely think what happened to some of you on here was undeserved, and am sorry that even somewhere like church, you would be criticized.

Back on topic.... I live in a pretty liberal town, and have seen more anti-W stuff here than I would probably see in Kerry's hometown! I definitely don't think that most people would vote for him just because he is from Texas, but I people have based their decisions on less before!

Munchkin - I am sorry to hear about your experience in Florida. I spend a lot of time there, and can definitely say that I don't think there is one thing Southern about Florida, other than geographic location. Most of the in-laws live there (all moved from CT, MA, etc.) and they have huge community rallies and stuff for Dem's. Of course I know that one group doesn't account for the whole state, but I was just remarking on the sections that I know and visit most often.

Mr. AXO Alum and I actually talked about moving to Jacksonville one day, but I told him that I couldn't give up my "southern status" to live in a yankee state. (J/K people - don't get all in a tizzy over it! Oh, and YES, it was definitely the War of Northern Aggression :p)

With all due respect, it is 100% impossible to BECOME Southern...

This conversation came up at the bar last night and the popular consensus that we would not vote for any candidate who does not support the second amendment. We don’t seem to agree on everything but this was the one point that everyone could get behind.

Historically, haven't the majority of presidents been elected from the South? Southern states (i.e. the "Bible Belt") seem to be more conservative in a lot of areas, one example being the issue of gay rights. e.g. no states come to mind when i think about "rebel" politicians marrying same-sex couples except in a couple Northern states. whereas here, it'd seem to be unthinkable to a lot of people. common regional values that might differ, on the whole, from states north of an invisible line. like not being able to find sweet tea north of the Ohio R.

*i just think that's one aspect that might contribute to the importance of winning the Southern states, and why the South is considered separately as a chunk of votes. if i'm wrong, correct me without making me seem like big ol idiot. *