The Importance of Cities in the 2012 US Presidential Election
Summary
This article explores the demographic breakdown of the 2012 US Presidential Election results using maps and data analysis. It reveals that the urban areas overwhelmingly voted for President Obama, while the rural areas voted for Mitt Romney. Furthermore, the author argues that the importance of cities in elections has been increasing due to the growth trend in the urban population.
Table of Contents
- The Chloropleth Map and Its Limitations
- Population Centers and Their Impact on the Election
- Patchwork Nation’s Demographic Descriptors
- The Importance of Cities in Election Results
Introduction
The 2012 US Presidential Election was a highly contested battle between Mitt Romney and President Obama. While the election outcome was decided by the electoral college, it is important to take a closer look at the demographic breakdown of the popular vote to understand what happened. In this article, we will explore the importance of cities in election results and what the data shows.
Q&A
The Chloropleth Map and Its Limitations
Questioner: Can you explain what the chloropleth map is and why it’s significant in looking at the election results?
Expert: The chloropleth map is a geographic representation that divides up areas by some value, such as who they voted for in the election. It’s significant because it can give us a quick overview of voting patterns by county, but it has its limitations. For instance, it doesn’t take into account population density, and as a result, it can be misleading.
Population Centers and Their Impact on the Election
Questioner: What does the data reveal about the impact of population centers on the election results?
Expert: The data shows that the population centers, which are essentially cities, overwhelmingly voted for President Obama. This trend can be seen across the country, and it suggests that cities play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.
Patchwork Nation’s Demographic Descriptors
Questioner: What is Patchwork Nation, and what are its demographic descriptors?
Expert: Patchwork Nation is a group that breaks down counties into demographic descriptors to explain their differences. There are several descriptors, such as the moneyed burbs, industrial centers, college campuses, and military bases. These descriptors shed light on why certain areas voted the way they did.
The Importance of Cities in Election Results
Questioner: What is the significance of cities in election results?
Expert: Cities have been growing in population over the years, which means that more and more people are living in urban areas. This trend has made cities increasingly important in election outcomes. The 2012 Presidential Election is a perfect example of how cities helped to elect President Obama. His coalition of women, youth, African-Americans, Asian, and Latino voters, which is mostly concentrated in urban areas, gave him the advantage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2012 Presidential Election demonstrates the importance of cities in election results. The demographic breakdown of the popular vote shows that urban areas overwhelmingly voted for President Obama, making up for his lack of support in rural areas. This trend is likely to continue in future elections as the urban population grows. As a result, political campaigns will need to focus on urban issues and concerns to win over these crucial voters.
