Exploring the Myth: Why Red States Can Be Coastal

Many assume that red states, which are often associated with Republican voters, must be landlocked to some degree. However, this assumption is misleading and can be easily debunked by understanding the geography and political landscape of the United States.

Common Misconceptions About Red States and Landlocked Status

The idea that all red states are landlocked, except for Alaska, is a popular misconception. This is particularly evident when examining states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, which are often considered part of the South and vote Republican. Contrary to popular belief, these states have coastlines that border the Gulf of Mexico, debunking the myth that they are landlocked.

Confirmation of Non-Landlocked Status

Let's further explore why Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are not landlocked. Each of these states shares a border with the Gulf of Mexico, making them coastal states. Additionally, states such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia, along with Alabama, have extensive coastline and numerous ports, which means they are no less coastal than Indiana. Measures of the coastline help define states as coastal or non-coastal, and Indiana, with ports in Gary and South Bend on Lake Michigan, may be seen as slightly less coastal compared to states like Illinois, Wisconsin, or Ohio. Therefore, red states can indeed be coastal, which is a significant correction to the common misconception.

Contemporary Political Geography

Political geography often informs perceptions of states and their characteristics. Coastal states tend to skew more Democratic, while inland states are more Republican. This dichotomy has led to a simplistic characterization of regions as follows:

North: Religious bigots South: Racist bigots East: Intellectual bigots West: Sexual bigots

These descriptions, although often unflattering, can help illustrate the political differences, but they do not reflect the actual geography and coastal status of these regions.

Current 270towin Prediction

According to the latest 270towin prediction, among the 20 red states, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Alaska have extensive coastlines, while Mississippi, Alabama, and Indiana have a smaller coastline. Similarly, the four pink states (tipping states) have varying degrees of coastline, with Texas and Florida having extensive coastlines, and Ohio having some coastline but potentially being the bluest part of the state. Meanwhile, the majority of blue states, both on the East and West coasts, along with the District of Columbia and Vermont, are indeed coastal, leaving only Colorado and New Mexico as securely inland states. This demographic distribution can be influenced by the availability of ports, which can have a significant impact on a state's economy and political landscape.

Conclusion

The myth that red states are landlocked is a misleading oversimplification. Several southern states that often vote Republican, such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, actually have coastlines and major harbors, thereby disputing this stereotype. States like Texas and Florida, despite voting Republican, are clearly not landlocked. Understanding the true geography of red states can provide a more nuanced view of their characteristics and political leanings.