Deeper shades of blue in Maryland
There's an interesting map in today's New York Times showing significant Democratic trends in most of the country, comparing this year's presidential election to 2004's. Exit polls indicate that the changes were largely driven by economic concerns and a view that the Democratic Party now has better -- or at least different -- solutions for fiscal problems. The challenge for the Obama administration will be to make those gains long-standing.
Maryland followed that national pattern. Our colleague Mike Dresser, who has been scrutinizing Maryland exit polls and other data, brings the following data points to our attention:
Frederick County GOP margin
2004: 20,000+
2008: 2,300
Charles Co. Dem. margin
2004: 900 (approx)
2008: 16,700
Howard Co. Dem margin
2004: 12,500
2008: 27,500
St. Mary's GOP margin
2004: 10,000
2008: 5,500
Those numbers show large gains in four fast-growing areas that have been considered swing jurisdictions in Maryland. Perhaps they're not swinging any longer, and have stopped on the left side of the pendulum's orbit.
