Bush v. Kerry: noneconomic factors - New Economist

The Blue states consistently lead the Red states in economic well-being. Although the gap between them narrowed between 1989 and 2001, it widened during Bush’s first term in office according to the money income measure, which fell more rapidly in the Red states than the Blue states.
Source: Economic Well-Being in US Regions and the Red and Blue States (PDF), Levy Economics Institute.

Except in Ohio. Witness steel tariffs, close vote.