Overview
The Mississippi River is a major river in the United States, whose banks were a major boundary for the former Slave and Newly Freed states of the nation during a tumultuous period of its history. As such, the Mississippi River played an important role in the 2016 Presidential election, with the candidates’ geographic locations playing an important role in the electoral process. This article will explore the question of how many US Presidents have come from the states located west of the Mississippi River.
Historical Context
The Mississippi River is one of the most historic rivers in the United States, having served as a major transportation artery for early settlers, served as the economic and cultural border between the Northern and Southern states, and served as a source of conflict throughout the Civil War. It’s this history that has led to the accepted use of the Mississippi River as a dividing line between East and West in the United States, with any state located west of the river categorized as “west”.
The Presidents
When it comes to US Presidents, there have only been three presidents who have come from the states located west of the river: Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, and Gerald Ford. Herbert Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa, and completed his undergraduate degree at Stanford University in California. Dwight Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, and went on to become the first President to come from a state other than the original 13 colonies. Gerald Ford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended college in Michigan.
Impact On Elections
The three US presidents from the states located west of the river all came from relatively close states to the River itself, which does not necessarily mean that their geographical origin had a major impact on their election. It is interesting to note, however, that all three presidents saw a healthy share of votes come their way from the western river states, which could be indicative of a trend towards a more liberal voting demographic on the other side of the Mississippi River – something that could have implications in upcoming elections.
Analysis
The limited number of US presidents from the western states is used by some to suggest that the region has not had an impact in the election process over time, but it is important to note that the states that are located closest to the Mississippi River have much smaller populations than those located in the eastern region. This means that any person running for office from a smaller state will face a much harder battle in terms of gaining the attention of a wide swath of potential voters.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the three presidents from the region were all from the same party. This suggests that, for now, the region is not necessarily a bellwether for how the rest of the country will vote, but that could change in future elections if different parties can gain a significant foothold and create a political shift from the status quo.
Expert Perspectives
Experts in the field of political science note that the limited number of US presidents from the region is only one part of the story; they suggest that candidates from the region might have a greater chance at winning the White House in future elections if they take advantage of the region’s unique demographics, economic environment, and cultural values. Rather than focusing mainly on states near the Mississippi River, they suggest that a winning strategy should encompass all of the western states, allowing candidates to build connections across different groups and unite them behind a common cause.
From the Candidates’ Perspective
Given the limited number of US presidents from the region and the potential difficulties associated with running for office from a smaller state, potential candidates from the region may want to think carefully about their strategy for gaining the attention of voters in the states located west of the River. One way to do this is to focus on specific population centers or cities which have large numbers of voters, allowing candidates to build relationships through networking and campaigning. Additionally, prospective candidates can take advantage of digital media and social media campaigns to build their name recognition in the region.
Impact On the Region
Having a US president from the region would be a major boon for the area from both a political and economic standpoint. The success of such an individual would likely mean greater investments in the area, particularly in infrastructure and small business, as well as an improved standard of living for many citizens. Additionally, a successful candidate could also help bring more attention and resources to the region, allowing for the development of new technology and educational programs.
Implications for Future Elections
As the 2020 presidential election looms, potential candidates from the states located west of the Mississippi River should consider carefully the implications of their geographic location when crafting a platform and message. The region is home to a wide array of cultural, economic, and political perspectives, and it is critical that any potential candidates use this diversity to their advantage by crafting a strategy to engage with voters in the area. By developing a platform that speaks to the needs of the region and building connections with the people who call the region home, candidates will be in a much better position to capture the attention of voters in the region and make a successful run for the White House.
