On the June 2 broadcast of PBS' Washington Week, host Gwen Ifill concluded the program by suggesting that a political “caffeine gap” could “hold the key to the next election.” Citing the results of a National Journal study (subscription required), Ifill said “there are nearly 4,800 Starbucks coffee shops in Blue States, but only 3,200 in Red States,” giving “Democratic coffee drinkers nearly twice as many chances to snag a Frappuccino than Republicans get" on a per-capita basis. Finally, Ifill noted that, per capita, Arizona is the “Red State with the most coffee shops,” and speculated: “Maybe that explains [Sen.] John McCain [R-AZ].”

From the June 2 broadcast of PBS' Washington Week:

IFILL: Before we go tonight, a different way of looking at the so-called Red State-Blue State divide. Perhaps you've heard of the gender gap. Well, our partners at National Journal have discovered, after an in-depth investigation, the caffeine gap. It goes this way: If Blue States are home to Democrats and Red States to Republicans, Starbucks may provide the key to the next election. It turns out there are nearly 4,800 Starbucks coffee shops in Blue States but only 3,200 in Red States. On a per-capita basis, that gives Democratic coffee drinkers nearly twice as many chances to snag a Frappuccino than Republicans get. The Red State with the most coffee shops? Arizona. Maybe that explains John McCain.