The author isn't terribly bright. He seems to have confused Missouri with Arkansas in this passage: "The most bizarre distinctions, finally, are reserved for New Mexico (Spaceport Home), Oklahoma (Best Licence Plate) and Missouri (Bromine Production)." On the map Missouri is the political bellwether and Arkansas is the top in bromine production.
it was cute, only took 5 minutes to beat it, and honestly you could do it much faster if all you do is tap tap tap the space bar, not much skill or timing required.