When was the last time a NE coast Rockefeller Republican WON in South Carolina?
Perhaps it is Romney’s political posturing that made him impotent in the South, and has nothing to do with religion.
Now why would this same NE coast Rockefeller Republican garner 90% of the Utah vote, and win overwhelmingly in Wyoming or Nevada?
George H.W. Bush. And arguably, George W. Bush.
I think that is attributable to how Mormons are perceived in the West. Contrary to the vitriol displayed by Mormon defenders here, The West recognizes Mormons as staunch patriots with Conservative and Christian principles.
I really believe the Mormon tag along with Romney's stated positions caused people to accept him at face value rather than digging into his record. I dare say that most had no idea he was from the Northeast, not to mention that he was a liberal governor in very liberal Massachusetts.
Even so, the greater dichotomy is rather stunning. Huck won the South, and the lower Midwest, while Romney won the Mountain West and the upper Midwest. An interesting difference that I would like to see explained.