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Swing States Loom Large

Insiders look at which might move left or right

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2008 5:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Forget the old swing-state conventional wisdom. Salon rounds up some experts and asks where the electoral map might flip in November:

The eastern Rust belt (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan) is John McCain’s best hope. Ohio is traditionally weakest for Democrats, but the Michigan primary remains a problem, and aging Pennsylvanians are GOP-friendly.

The flood plain (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa) should be more solid for Obama than it was for Kerry, but Republicans aren’t conceding it.
The southwest (New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado) is Obama’s big pick-up opportunity. Says a strategist: “One of these candidates is going to wake up the day after and say, ‘What happened?’”
Virginia has three immensely popular Democratic politicians, energized blacks and Hispanics, and shifting suburbs.

2004 presidential election map (Wikipedia)

In this file photo from Jan. 30, 2007, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

2000 presidential election map (Wikipedia)

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Swing States Loom Large

Insiders look at which might move left or right

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Swing States Loom Large

Insiders look at which might move left or right

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • John McCain • New Mexico • Ohio • Michigan • Virginia • Nevada • swing states

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

Hints at Winner May Come Early Tomorrow Night

Victory, or close loss, in Indiana would bode well for Obama

Obama Pushes Don't-Let-Up 'Closing Argument'

'We are one week away from changing America,' Dem says in Ohio

John McCain, Here's How You Can Still Win This Election

Forget about Pa.; focus on Virginia, Florida, FiveThirtyEight says

McCain Losing Ground in Pro-Bush Strongholds

Poll: Obama holds slim lead in Ohio; dead heat in NC; Mac's edge slim in Ind.

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