The Bible Belt lack of enthusiasm for a Mormon shows on this New York Times analysis of the shift between 2008 and 2012

The folks on PBS last night took a few minutes to proclaim that the country has gotten beyond the anomaly of Mitt’s Mormonism, and showed exit polls indicating that practicing religious people (who voted) overwhelmingly voted for Mitt Romney.

However, a glance at the shifts in democratic percentages versus republican percentages from 2008 to 2012 shows interesting trends. I’ll leave analysis of the US Northeast to pundits. But there are two other broad trends apparent.

There is a fringe of blue around the edges of the country. This, in my mind, shows the impact of the “browning of America,” as Time magazine referred to it in an April 9, 1990, issue. But how does one explain the swath of blue blanketing the Bible Belt?

Evangelical Christians in the Bible Belt wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the election, but their lack of enthusiasm for Mormon Mitt Romney helped give Mr. Obama the popular vote. These are folks who knew their state was deep red, for the most part. So staying away from the polls wouldn’t change the outcome of the election. Even the tongue of Bible Belt blue licking upwards into Virginia wouldn’t have changed the ultimate outcome, although it might have tilted the balance in that one swing state.

But those comfortable Bible Belters who stayed home rather than vote for a Mormon left a hole on the map, a sin of omission that leaves behind its mark despite having a negligible impact on numbers coming out of the electoral college.

In my opinion, it’s better for the country that the election isn’t split, with the electoral vote and the popular vote going to different candidates. The growing magnitude of the loss certainly contributed to the timing of the Mitt’s midnight concession speech, when the loss of Virginia made it clear there was no point holding on to hope for a narrow victory in Ohio. Mitt’s gracious words were a great set up for Mr. Obama’s rousing speech, asking us to unite as American’s no matter which way we might have voted in the election. The pain of the Bush-Gore debacle is still fresh in my soul, so I am extremely glad we have been spared another protracted battle.

Still, as a Mormon I couldn’t help but notice the Bible Belt Blue. And being me, I had to say something.

Time now to begin enjoying life in the new political reality America has chosen. May God grant Mr. Obama success, as Mitt pled on behalf of all America. Because whether we voted for Mr. Obama or merely stayed home and didn’t vote for Mr. Romney, America has chosen her leader for the next four years. And America is best served when we join together as brothers and work to overcome the challenges that await.