Reply #82: I believe the key difference between states like Oklahoma and states like California

[Uncle Joe]

is exposure to the world.

The more exposed your society or state is, the easier adapting to variations in culture become, change seems faster, but sometimes with that adaption comes a subconscious disdain or embarrassment of your previous self or roots. If "all politics are primarily local," even those with a raised view of the world, can be susceptible to provincialism sneaking in like a thief in the night.

As for President Elect Obama, I believe he gets it just as I believe Howard Dean got it and thus change is coming. I also have faith in the people that make up the Democratic Party, they will lift them selves, it just may not come at the exact same time for everyone. Some will lift them selves and stay elevated and some will lift them selves and go back to help the others.