The Politics of Growing America

The New York Times reports:

For every Democratic opportunity in older, more dense and more diverse suburbs, there is a Republican opening in the fast-growing exurbs. For example, in Douglas County, Colo., the nation's fastest-growing county in the late 1990's, Mr. Bush defeated Mr. Kerry by two to one. In the epicenter of California growth, Riverside County, the president won by 57 percent to 41 percent, a big gain over his showing in 2000.

In fact, Mr. Bush won 97 of the nation's 100 fastest-growing counties in 2004. Republicans had homed in on these outer suburbs — often places that were little more than farmland or meadows just a generation ago — with campaigns built around family values.

It's rather striking that the fast growing areas don't have union problems,zoning problems,and high crime.