The northeast is the foundation of the American university system, even dating way back into the 1600's. Kids are raised looking at giant marble halls and vast libraries of knowledge.

The people there typically end up more intelligent, have a higher power of deduction, and therefore slant more progressive in nature.

As one example, they don't vote democratic solely because they want gay people to have more rights. They vote democratic because the thought of stopping *anyone* through emotional bigotry from having equal rights in a civilized society - simply doesn't make any logical sense.