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Massachusetts liberal

Percent of self-identified liberals by state in 2018, according to a Gallup poll. Massachusetts had one of the highest percentages.[1]
  32% and above
  28–31%
  24–27%
  20–23%
  16–19%
  15% and under

Massachusetts liberal is a phrase in American politics which is generally used as a derogatory political epithet by Republicans against Democrats who are from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.[2][3] It was most significantly used in the 1988 presidential race by then-Vice President George H. W. Bush against Governor Michael Dukakis, and again in the 2004 race by then-President George W. Bush against Senator John Kerry (who was Dukakis's lieutenant Governor).[4] The Democratic candidates (Dukakis, Kerry) lost both races. In the Republican 2012 presidential primary election Newt Gingrich used the phrase "Massachusetts moderate," based on the liberal pejorative, repeatedly against Mitt Romney,[4] the former Governor of Massachusetts, whose main residence was a mansion in the state.[5] Romney went on to win the nomination, but lost the presidential election.

Massachusetts is one of the most liberal and Democratic-leaning states in the country. It was the first state where same-sex marriage became legal in 2004.[6] It has the highest percentage of adults with college degrees of any state in the country.

  1. ^ Jones, Jeffrey M. (2019-02-22). "Conservatives Greatly Outnumber Liberals in 19 U.S. States". Gallup. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  2. ^ "2020 White House race tests if 'Massachusetts liberal' label still a political loser". Washington Examiner. 2019-11-17. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  3. ^ NJ.com, Claude Brodesser-Akner | NJ Advance Media for (2017-08-22). "Christie: Phil Murphy 'the worst kind of Massachusetts liberal'". nj. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  4. ^ a b Editorials, The Republican (2012-01-12). "Editorial: A view of Massachusetts out in the heartland". masslive. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  5. ^ Ryan, Andrew; Levenson, Michael (2012-01-10). "'Mass. moderate' insult has local Republicans wincing". Boston.com. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  6. ^ Elaine Kamarck (2004-07-25). "Can outdated label still hurt Kerry?". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-14.

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