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>> Ford did quite well in the northeast. He carried 4 of 6 New England states (CT, ME, NH, VT). Carried NJ and only lost NY by a margin of 52-48% (in fact, NY & TX's margins were nearly identical for Carter, as he carried both). <<

Yes, he did. But Ford was from the great lakes region. New Englanders will accept GOP candidates from the upper midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc.) They won't take GOP candidates from the deep south.

The feeling is mutual, southerners simply will not vote for New Englanders (although JFK managed to steal a few states by putting a Texan on the ticket and rigging the votes, and winning ballots that just said "Straight Democratic Ticket" in the south). Southerners will occassionally elect a communist RAT to office in a southern state, but only if he's appeals to the locals.

The old southern-new England coalition the RATs put together during the days of Woody Wilson and FDR is long gone.

I truly believe an unapologetic conservative could win the electoral votes of states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Conn. in today's world, but it won't be guys like George W. Bush, George Allen, or Fred Thompson.

Maybe if we end up with the Hilderbeast as President the GOP might wise up and nominate Don Calerci or Tim Pawlenty for President in 2012, who knows?

"Yes, he did. But Ford was from the great lakes region. New Englanders will accept GOP candidates from the upper midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc.) They won't take GOP candidates from the deep south."

My point is that the electoral map has changed dramatically from 1976. Republicans were competitive in nearly every state in 1976, and 1980, 1984, and even 1988. Starting in 1992, they weren't anymore. There are at least 15 states that will not be voting Republican under almost any circumstances (CA, CT, DE, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MN, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, & WA). It's sad, but it's the reality. Tommy Thompson wouldn't change that equation, and neither would Rudy or Precious Willard.

"Maybe if we end up with the Hilderbeast as President the GOP might wise up and nominate Don (Carcieri) or Tim Pawlenty for President in 2012, who knows?"

Neither Carcieri or Pawlenty could even carry their own states as Presidential candidates. If the Dems put up Dave Freudenthal of WY for President, he wouldn't be able to carry his own state, most likely. Some of these states will vote for Governors opposite to the majority party, but they won't do so for Senators and Presidents. That's just how it is, and pretending it isn't so won't change the equation.