In August, the pollster John Zogby released a survey that detailed the coffee preferences of Americans based on many different factors, including political ideologies and urbanization. Since our area now has both Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, I thought it would be fun to write on area politics and coffee.

The Zogby poll found that there is a divide between those who prefer Starbucks and those that favor Dunkin’ Donuts. Forty-three percent of liberals get their morning jump-start from Starbucks, while only 23 percent prefer Dunkin’ Donuts. Rural people clearly prefer Dunkin’ Donuts (35 percent to 25 percent) while people in small cities prefer Dunkin’ Donuts very narrowly (32 percent to 31 percent). Translated: the political left prefers Starbucks, rural residents favor Dunkin’ Donuts and small-city dwellers like both almost equally.

After seeing these percentages, I decided to look up some recent election results in our area. I chose three votes: the 2000 referendum question on equal rights and sexual orientation, the 2004 referendum question on bear baiting and the 2004 presidential election.

Equal rights: Starbucks is known for being socially liberal on issues relating to sexual orientation. One of its mission statements reads: “Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business.” It recently started a campaign to create conversations in which they display quotes on their cups. One is by an author who wrote about the 1970s and 1980s San Francisco’s gay community.

The 2000 referendum would have ratified a law that extended basic rights to residents on the basis of sexual orientation. It was defeated statewide by 4,834 votes, 50.38 percent to 49.61 percent. Based on this issue, which town residents would drink their coffee at Starbucks? Bethel folks probably would. They were one of a few towns to actually support it (53.77 percent). Norway residents might get their caffeine fix there; they only very narrowly voted no (50.2 percent). Lewiston-Auburn came somewhat close to supporting the measure: Lewiston voted 53 percent no while Auburn voted 51 percent no.

On the other side of this issue, you might find a majority of the coffee lovers in Wales at Dunkin’ Donuts. Seventy percent of their residents voted no. Dunkin’ Donuts might also attract a majority of residents from Minot (64 percent no), Sabattus (63 percent no), and Leeds and Greene (62 percent no).

Bear baiting: This 2004 question would have made it a crime to hunt bears with dogs, traps or bait except to protect private property, public safety or for research. How did it relate to liberal and conservative ideologies? Liberals might have voted yes because they believe hunting bears with these methods is cruel. Conservatives might have voted against the measure because it increased governmental regulation. However, some may have voted no because they believed the ban would have made it more difficult to control the bear population.

The question was defeated statewide, 53 percent to 47 percent. Which area residents would drink their coffee at Starbucks based upon this vote? Probably only L-A people. They were the only two municipalities in Androscoggin and Oxford counties to vote yes. Lewiston voted 52.4 percent for it, Auburn voted 52 percent for it.

On the opposite side of this issue, odds are that you would find the coffee drinkers of Canton at Dunkin’ Donuts. About 70 percent of the town voted no. Dunkin’ Donuts might also attract a majority of voters from Jay (66.8 percent no), Wilton (65.8 percent no), Livermore (65.6 percent no) and Minot (63.6 percent no).

Although ideology was probably a factor, these percentages suggest that the most important factor was degree of urbanization.

Bush-Kerry: The stereotypes portrayed in the national media suggest that Kerry voters would be the latte-sipping, indecisive intellectual-artist types. A perfect fit for Starbucks. Bush voters would prefer the working class and non-pretentious atmosphere of Dunkin’ Donuts.

Kerry defeated Bush 53.6 percent to 44.6 percent in the state. Not surprisingly, the voters in Lewiston (61.8 percent), Auburn (55.7 percent) and Norway (55.4 percent) endorsed Kerry. However, Kerry ran up some of his biggest percentages in towns whose residents don’t fit the national image of the typical “blue” state voter. Kerry won Mexico with 65.3 percent, Jay with 63.6 percent and Rumford with 62.5 percent.

On the other side of this presidential divide, you might find a majority of the coffee junkies in Minot at Dunkin’ Donuts. Just more than 54 percent of their residents voted for Bush. You might also find the residents of Mechanic Falls (52.8 percent Bush), Turner (52.3 percent Bush) and Greene (51.5 percent Bush) at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Of course, stereotypes can hide as well as reveal. For example, some on the political left detest Starbucks. They claim that the company helps put independent, locally owned coffee shops out of business. Moreover, how conservative can Dunkin’ Donuts actually be if its expresso, cappuccino and lattes are all made with 100 percent certified fair trade coffee? One last thought that leaves me puzzled; What are the politics of the customers at Tim Hortons?

Karl Trautman has taught political science for more than 20 years. He has been a policy analyst for the Michigan legislature and a research assistant for “Meet The Press.” He chairs the Social Sciences Department at Central Maine Community College and can be reached at [email protected].