for a pile of reasons. If I ever leave the northern Rockies, that's where I'm going! I was born in and grew up in NE but somehow ended up here, for now.

Wish we had the kind of representation out here that you have there! Lucky/smart voters.

we have our share of dissenters... it is really the Northwest (Burlington) that keeps us sane and progressive... here in the Northeast, we have a good group of progressives but the majority vote Republican

It's kind of the same in NH.

indeed.

But I am surrounded by them in MT and ID as well. A lot of - baggers around here.

but the legislature is overwhelmingly dem in both chambers- and that ain't just Burlington by a long shot.

Furthermore, voting repub here is like voting moderate dem practically anyplace else.

I appreciate your insight. I hope to move to Vermont in the next year or so.

Indiana has the same thing but in reverse. Voting Democratic gets you Democrats like Joe Donnelly, or the unmissed Evan Bayh. They're as close to Republican as you can get, and still have a "D" after your name.