Fact Check: "Blowout counties have quadrupled since the turn of the century."
What We Know
The term "blowout counties" refers to areas in the United States that have experienced significant political shifts, particularly in favor of the Republican Party, often characterized by a high percentage of votes for Republican candidates in elections. According to a recent article, the percentage of voters in these counties has increased dramatically, with reports indicating that they now account for approximately 40% of the electorate, up from around 10% at the turn of the century (NBC News).
However, the claim that the number of these counties has "quadrupled" lacks specific data to substantiate it. The original context of the term "blowout counties" and its quantitative change over time is not clearly defined in the sources available. The U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather & Climate Disasters report does not provide relevant data on political shifts or the number of counties classified as "blowout" (NOAA).
Analysis
The claim that "blowout counties have quadrupled" since the turn of the century is primarily derived from political analyses and electoral data. The source from NBC News indicates a significant increase in the percentage of voters in these counties, but it does not provide concrete numbers regarding the actual count of counties that fit this classification (NBC News).
The source discussing offshore oil and gas development mentions that gas production has nearly quadrupled, but this is unrelated to the political context of "blowout counties" (GAO). Therefore, while there is evidence of a political shift in certain counties, the specific claim about the number of counties is not directly supported by the data provided.
The reliability of the sources varies. The NBC News article is a reputable news outlet that typically provides well-researched political analysis. In contrast, the GAO report, while credible in its domain, does not pertain to the political landscape and thus does not contribute to verifying the claim about "blowout counties."
Conclusion
Needs Research. The claim that "blowout counties have quadrupled since the turn of the century" lacks sufficient evidence to be confirmed or denied. While there is a noted increase in the percentage of voters in these counties, specific data regarding the actual number of counties is not provided in the available sources. Further research is needed to clarify the definition of "blowout counties" and to obtain accurate historical data on their numbers.
