Any theories as to why Obama is so popular in the West? [View All]

[BluegrassDem]

At least in my lifetime, I've never seen a Democratic national politician as popular in the western U.S., specifically the Rocky Mountain states, as Barack Obama. He's even doing well in the Dakotas. I saw one poll a month or so ago showing him and McCain virtually tied in North Dakota of all places!

Al Gore and John Kerry certainly weren't popular in that part of the country, but I don't think Obama's positions on issues are much different than Gore or Kerry, so what gives? I really have a hard time coming up with an explanation on this one. It's something kinda unprecedented. Of course, I'm not saying Obama is gonna win all those western states, but he's gonna compete there as strongly as any Democratic candidate in recent memory. He certainly has an excellent chance to win Colorado and New Mexico. He'd probably win Arizona if McCain weren't on the ballot. You definitely won't see any double digit blowouts of Obama in ANY western state this year, including Idaho.

It's just so peculiar that a black guy with a funny name from Chicago seems to be well loved in the western U.S. w/out any obvious ties.