Why Cities Matter

To understand why cities matter in the presidential election, take a look at this map I cribbed from USA Today's coverage of the 2000 campaign, and how it ended: Red = Republican, George W. Bush. Blue = Democrat, Al Gore See where the blue is? Cities. One of the ways the Democrats lost the last election was in what's called GOTV -- Get Out The Vote. They weren't able to get enough urbanites (which is an electoral euphemism for minorities and the poor) to the polls.

1 minute read

October 8, 2004, 5:33 PM PDT

By Anonymous

To understand why cities matter in the presidential election, take a look at this map I cribbed from USA Today's coverage of the 2000 campaign, and how it ended:

2000 election by county

Red = Republican, George W. Bush.

Blue = Democrat, Al Gore

See where the blue is? Cities. One of the ways the Democrats lost the last election was in what's called GOTV -- Get Out The Vote. They weren't able to get enough urbanites (which is an electoral euphemism for minorities and the poor) to the polls. They usually do this through tactics ranging from gentle reminders to sending vans out to get people and bring 'em. Republicans do this, too...but not in cities, generally.

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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