As Kerry showed in 2004 , under most circumstances a Democrat can lose everywhere else in the state and still run up enough of a margin in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to win .
The 2008 election confirmed Pennsylvania 's status as a Democratic - leaning state .
As Kerry showed in 2004 , under most circumstances a Democratic can lose everywhere else in the state and still run up enough of a margin in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to win .
The 2008 election confirmed Pennsylvania 's status as a Democratic - leaning state .