re: Georgia's economy larger than Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana's combined

quote:

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The biggest difference in Tennessee and Georgia politics is that while Atlanta dominates the state Nashville doesn’t. The 3 grand divisions of Tennessee West Middle and East do not allow Nashville to dominate the state.
Population density is insane
Nashville metro 258/sq mi
Atlanta metro 3,685.45/sq mi

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Nashville has never ruled the state because the two powers have been East and West. For the longest time, West, TN ruled the state with West, TN democrats pretty well letting East, TN republicans do as they pleased when it came to E. TN as long as they came along on other things. As the old machines (Crump and Houk) broke down, E. TN Repubs made a play for the squishy hearts of repub leaning voters in West and Middle, TN and have been able to not only seize power but continue to rule via that.

TN Democrats have yet to figure out that their problem is they're still thinking in terms of Grand Divisions. They've made no attempt to capture democratic leaning voters in the East while the TNGOP has been scooping up voters in the West and Middle. The TNDP overvaluing Nashville cost them the state and the lack of realization that they have to go after voters in the East the way the TNGOP has gone after Middle and West, keeps them from doing anything meaningful.