Heartland is an American term referring to states of the Union that—as in the words of commentator Ronald Brownstein—"don't touch an ocean," whether the Atlantic or Pacific. At least as early as 2010, however, the term Heartland is used not only to refer to the Midwestern United States, but also many so-called "red states", including those of the Bible belt. The use of the term "heartland" to apply to the American Midwest did not become common until sometime in the 20th century.