Saxum|PR

John McCain won every single county in Oklahoma, much like George W. Bush did in 2004. He also garnered 66 percent of our state’s vote. Not surprising, considering that Oklahoma has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1964.

Perhaps most interesting is that Oklahoma was the only state in the nation that supported the McCain/Palin ticket in every county and our 66 percent represented the highest percentage victory for McCain anywhere in America. Statewide, Republicans won everything. All Congressional incumbents were re-elected, including Jim Inhofe who scored a landslide victory over a good Democratic challenger Andrew Rice. The State Senate and House turned Republican together for the first time, ever.

This last fact caused state Sen. Charlie Laster (D) to blast the Obama campaign on election night for “abandoning” Oklahoma Democrats because he was polling poorly here.

Outside of politics, Oklahoma’s economy is definitely slowing at a reduced rate than others, but housing and small businesses we talk to are still outpacing the national numbers. Forbes.com’s recession-proof Oklahoma City has been rocked with volatile markets selling off our energy stocks, but our public and private companies remain fundamentally strong, as illustrated by Devon Energy posting its highest third quarter net ever last week. Banks are loaning money. The Ford Center is still sold out with NBA fans cheering the listless Thunder who will lose many more games than they win (which is OK with most people I know). If we are so different than the rest of the country, then why does it feel so good?

A Question: Why is Oklahoma so Red?

A few theories (ranked one to three):

1. Oklahoma has a huge military presence and our economy continues to be insulated. With major Air Force missions in Enid, Oklahoma City and Altus as well as Army presence in McAlester and Lawton’s Ft. Sill, Oklahoma is one of America’s most concentrated military states. Our National Guard has served in Iraq admirably and most people have a relative or friend in the service. I’m not sure other states have this same presence. Finally, it is the economy that ended McCain’s campaign effectively. Oklahoma’s economy, although pierced, is not penetrated and remains strong. A general support of our military heritage combined with a “recession-proof” economy equals a red state blowout.

2. Oklahoma is still populist. Just over 100 years ago, Oklahoma was brought together by businessmen, speculators, farmers and Native Americans (among others). Today, we continue to have different perspectives that govern our decision making process. We trust “people like us” to make our political decisions, perhaps more than qualifications. Oklahomans believe in people first.

3. Democrats in Oklahoma look very different than Democrats in America. Our conservative Ds look more like New York Rs. Voting Democrat statewide in Oklahoma has been a trend in recent years, but did not hold up in this election.

In addition, I asked my followers on Twitter whether Oklahoma was the reddest state and why. Their answers below:

· I am sure that there are two factors that made OK vote Red. One is the Bible influence, the other is the Tax stance of Obama.

· We’ve always been two years behind the California trends, that is, if it doesn’t go out of style first.

· We are wary of anyone who seems too slick, too aloof or who holds too high opinion of himself/herself.

· Because Oklahoma equals small town America. We don’t believe in all the European ideas. We do love our country, God and probably our Guns.

· Not any redder than 04 by vote totals, although Obama did no favors for the rest of the statewide Dems.