Fewer than half of the Southern states went for Goldwater. Most (Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Arkansas) went for LBJ.
Just because Indiana has excellent institutions of higher learning and a winning football team does not mean that they are culturally Southern. Even their gracious hospitality and stunning good looks don’t do it.
This story is anecdotal, but it illustrates the differences in Indiana and the South – not the similarities.
I hope you take the opportunity to question the person saying that. I’m not doubting your integrity, but that isn’t particularly widespread in the South. I live in Nashville and I haven’t heard that expression since the last time Dopers discussed it several months ago.
I’m so grateful! What about all Northern Republicans? All Southern Democrats? All Northern Democrats? Was there only one group in question?
Well, practically no one else went for Goldwater, and this was the first time in a long time that any southern states went Republican - remember the Solid South?
I lived in downstate Illinois, not far away. Culture doesn’t end at state boundaries. I didn’t notice Arlington Virginia being very southern the last time I went there.