Fascinating and well-researched LA Times article argues that the future of the GOP lay in the exurban counties of all states.

These growing areas, filled largely with younger [my emphasis] families fleeing urban centers in search of affordable homes, are providing the GOP a foothold in blue Democratic-leaning states and solidifying the party's control over red Republican-leaning states.

They also represent a compounding asset whose value for the Republican Party has increased with each election: Bush's edge in these 100 counties was almost four times greater than the advantage they provided Bob Dole, the Republican presidential nominee eight years ago.

In states like Ohio, Minnesota and Virginia, Republican strength in these outer suburbs is offsetting Democratic gains over the last decade in more established - and often more affluent - inner-tier suburbs...

... In some of the most hotly contested states - Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Colorado - that trend could leave the Democrats trying to squeeze out even more votes from static or shrinking urban centers and inner-tier suburbs, while Republicans are dominating the counties exploding in population several exits down the interstate.

I find it endlessly amazing that while conservatives continue setting the Republican debate, the GOP is nevertheless the party of "new" America.