Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

Two results that people seemed to be surprised about is that Obama won by so much in Pittsburgh (58%-41%) and that Obama did not win by more in Philadelphia (65%-35%).

Here’s a comparison of the two cities by census data (2006 estimates).  (Note that this is not necessarily representative of the registered Democratic electorate, but since both cities are overwhelmingly Democratic, we’re going to pretend that it’s pretty close, and it shouldn’t make too much of a difference for comparison.)

Philadelphia is a slightly younger city overall, though Pittsburgh has a higher proportion of the population both between the ages of 20 and 35 and over the age of 65.  Philadelphia has a much higher African American population, and they also have a higher Latino population.

I started to pull these numbers together to ask whether it is true that Pittsburgh overperformed and Philadelphia underperformed for Obama (based on who each candidate’s supposed base is), but I don’t think these numbers tell that story.  Here’s some outstanding questions I have:  Did the Pittsburgh or Philadelphia staff have a better ground game on Election Day?  Did the Obama campaign’s decision not to give out street money in Philadelphia cause ward chairs to sit the election out, or even work the streets for Clinton?

Progressive Democrats in Western Pennsylvania are used to depending on our population-rich neighbor to the east in statewide elections, but this should be a reminder to everyone in the State that when you are starting from behind, votes don’t come automatically.