what is it about the difference between local and national level

[RobertPlant]

I've always wondered how a state like Nebraska, where the last time a democratic presidential candidate with less than 55% of the vote won there was in 1916, could elect a democratic senator, Ben Nelson. I think Nelson actually won around 60% of the vote in 2006. On the other hand, a state like California (although not as zealously republican as NE is) elects a republican governor. Why in your opinion do some states and areas vote differently in governor and senate elections as opposed to presidential elections.

[Ozymanithrax]

1. Modern elections are pretty much a dog show...

The dog that wags its tail the best gets elected.

[napi21]

2. A ot depends on who was in the job before the election.

ie: in the last PResidential election, by far, the majority of people in both parties HATED Shrub! I'm not saying anythng against Obama (I do believe he was the best choice), but a Dem candidate could have been almost anyone nd still won the national campaign. It becomes more difficult in a Senate election but still a similar phylosophy. If they aren't pissed off at their current Senator, he'll be re-elected. If he's done something during his term that pissed people off, they'll pick someone else until they find somebody they want. You mentioned the Gov. of calif. Arnold won bcause the gorup aginst Grey Davis made such a todo about him not doing a good job, and for many reasons, Calif. does have big problems that have little to do with Davis, they were pissed at HIM, so Arnold had te good BS and the image of getting his way, so he won. Very ittle of this has to do with Party afiliation.

[Odin2005]

3. All politics is local.

State parties are attached to localized interests and constituencies far more than the national parties. An example is Dem congresspeople in rural districts/states. They tend to be socially conservative and beholden to local farming interests that want their pork and their corn ethanol subsidies, and thus champion themselves as being "friends of farmers". A good example is my Rep, Collin Peterson (DINO-MN). Big Agribusiness patsy and sucker-up to bigots.

[FarLeftFist]

4. Because the political system is based on democracy

People elect one party after they get sick of the other, then vice versa. This is how its always been and always will be. It comes down to whoever talks the best shit during the debates.