"And how can Bush have six millions more votes than Reagan and yet win only 31 states? It does not make much sense to me. I hope this does not diminish my all-time favorite president, RONALD REAGAN. I'm not very good with math"
The reason is two-fold: The US population in 2004 is much bigger than it was in 1984, and the voter turnout in 2004 was the biggest since the 1960s. Some states, like MN and WI, had 90+% of registered voters turnout on Nov. 2. Six states, mainly in the South, set new voter turnout records.
Ok. Got it now.
So, Reagan got a larger percentage of the total than Bush did. He also won more states and had more votes electoral than Bush.
To mention just the votes it don't make sense. I think percentages or votes electoral is more important.
OK so Reagan is still the champ.