One of the reasons we split from the UK was that a huge natural barrier (the Atlantic) separated us. It resulted in the UK not being able to empathize with the colonies' needs (and would have been the same going forward if we had remained in the sitatuion).
Not so with the continental US of A. There's more power in unity here.
Perhaps you live in the Boston-D.C. corridor. Many people west and south of that hallowed land sometimes wonder about the ability of those people, and of those living in blue cities, to empathize with the needs of those outside of those places. The geographic barrier may not be as large, but the psychological distance is far enough.