We interrupt this 2012 election to pose a question for 2016 and beyond.

Tonight, Mitt Romney has won big in the coalfields. Maybe that’s not a surprise given President Obama’s alleged “war on coal” but let’s stop and consider the big picture.

It used to be, the coalfields were Democratic anchors even in the worst of times.

Even John Kerry carried some of the counties in the coalfields, even as he was losing in 2004.

Now, look at  how some of these counties have swung: over just the last three elections:

UPDATED, Wednesday, 1:10 p.m. with final results:

Dickenson County:
2004: Kerry 50.8%, Bush 48.4%
2008: McCain 49.2%, Obama 48.5%
2012: Romney 61.93%, Obama 35.82%

Buchanan County:
2004: Kerry 53.7%, Bush 45.8%
2008: McCain 51.9%, Obama 46.5%
2012: Romney 66.69%, Obama 32.08%

Lee County:
2004: Bush 57.9%, Kerry 40.1%
2008: McCain 63.1%, Obama 34.8%
2012: Romney 71.3%, Obama 26.9%

Norton
2004: Bush 51%, Kerry 48.2%
2008: Obama 49.2%, McCain 49.1%
2012:Romney 59.9%, Obama 38%

Russell County:
2004: Bush 53.2%, Kerry 45.2%
2008: McCain 55.6%, Obama 42.9%
2012: Romney 67.7%, Obama 30.7%

Tazewell County:
2004: Bush 57.4%, Kerry 41.1%
2008: McCain 65.6%, Obama 32.8%
2012: Romney 78%, Obama 20.63%

Wise County
2004: Bush 58.2%, Kerry 40.5%
2008: McCain 63.0%, Obama 35.3%
2012: Romney 73.7%, Obama 25.0%

So the question for the future: Is this just an aberration? Or will the coalfields ever vote Democratic again?