2008 election, Barack Obama, Electoral Map, John McCain, John McCain Barack Obama, John McCain conservative, John McCain evangelicals, Obama Black Voters
2008 election, Barack Obama, Electoral Map, John McCain, John McCain Barack Obama, John McCain conservative, John McCain evangelicals, Obama Black Voters

McCain-Obama Race Could Redraw Electoral Map

Wall Street Journal   |  Laura Meckler   |   February 15, 2008 08:42 AM


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In recent presidential elections, the electoral map largely has been fixed, with certain regions predictably loyal to one party or another and the competition narrowed to fewer than 20 battleground states.

But Barack Obama's success in rallying African-Americans and John McCain's difficulty with conservative evangelicals raise an intriguing question: Would a general election between the two put additional states -- particularly in the South -- into play?

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- SeamusOB See Profile I'm a Fan of SeamusOB permalink

To Minneapolis Mike & "Flashlight": I've scanned the above & previous blog responses in your profile, & really can't decide whether your writing is "tongue in cheek" irony or for real. A couple of other repostes say you are a "kidder" & joking. I sure hope so.
But IF it's for real, I have to tell you all - seriously - that you/your list of blog fans are truly sick, sick puppies.
(And if that's a fact for you Mike, it's a shame; I always regarded your namesake City as one of the best in the North. I can never regard it in the same light again!)
We've still only seen the "tip of the iceberg", insofar as the wanton, criminal waste of this admin. is concerned; but they can't hide it, when they aren't in office. And that's when it will all REALLY hit the fan (& why they'll stoop to ANYTHING to hang on to the Oval Office!).
Our current "Chief of State" is destined to go down in history books as the most inept, unscrupulous, unprincipled, counter-constitutional/totally manipulated man ever elected to this esteemed office.
The fact that 25-30% of this country can still countenance, or even stand - let alone "admire" & WANT to follow him (over the precipice of debt, failure & shame he has brought us/for our successive generations), is a serious symptom of just how far we have fallen as a people.
IF your views - straight or sicko-comic - have any weight in our future politics, we're in - as GWB's "Papa" liked to say - really DEEP DOO DOO!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:31 AM on 02/16/2008
- flabingo See Profile I'm a Fan of flabingo permalink

Does Hillary own a dress?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:00 PM on 02/15/2008
- cakelady See Profile I'm a Fan of cakelady permalink

Why in heaven would she want to wear a dress when it is so cold out where she is traveling? Also when on stage and the stage is higher, I can just hear the remarks about how she is trying to show a little leg. Pick on something else that makes sense.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:28 AM on 02/16/2008
- flabingo See Profile I'm a Fan of flabingo permalink

We are not electing a king. Congress still makes the laws.Hillary's 47% negative means she could not get anything done

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:59 PM on 02/15/2008
- Ohg See Profile I'm a Fan of Ohg permalink

Obama has already redrawn the color of the map - it is not red or blue - it is now the color of water, as was so eloquently described in James McBride's 1996 memoir to his mother.....
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/02/11/barack-obama-the-color-of-water/

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:41 PM on 02/15/2008
- SeanGardner See Profile I'm a Fan of SeanGardner permalink

Plus, when he names Kansas Govenor Kathleen Sebelius his running mate, Kansas will go BLUE. So will COlorado (which is already a PURPLE STATE, and so will Missouri and Iowa, which are officially quasi-RED STATES that Dems had never poured significant resources into.

Winning those states would put Obama in a position John Kerry was never in in 2004, because Kerry never won any

Obama's inclusion of Kathleen Sebelius (http://www.governor.ks.gov/) as his VP will ensure that the Democrats are a majority party once again.

Mark my words.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:46 PM on 02/15/2008
- jstock See Profile I'm a Fan of jstock permalink

Sibelius is a bore. No thanks, bad idea. Also, Richardson is a solid (very solid) bore, as is Webb. I've heard somebody bring up the name of Sam Nunn, which would be the worst yet - right up there with Lieberman. I used to think Hillary would do in the veep slot, as she has the armed services commitee experience, plus she can kick a little ass when she needs to. Two things against that at this minute: first, the race is far from over. Second, I think she'd drive away as many people as she'd attract. So, now I don't know who would be the right pick. But, again, it's way to early to even begin to worry about it at this point.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:50 AM on 02/16/2008
- MamaBird62 See Profile I'm a Fan of MamaBird62 permalink

I like your governor and felt she did a good job with the Democratic response to the SOTU address. However, if Obama is the nominee, and I hope he will be, he's going to need someone with serious diplomatic and/or foreign policy experience, maybe a military record too. That's not Obama's strength, and since the Repubs are going to replay the security thing, we need some experience there. I think Bill Richardson could be good, maybe Webb.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:04 PM on 02/15/2008
- cakelady See Profile I'm a Fan of cakelady permalink

You see this is where you can get into reallllll trouble. Bush had no foreign or military experience so he picked Cheney, who in the end we find out really ran the government and look what a mess our country is in now because of that.
We should be putting in office someone who has a lot of foreign experence and much more experience in general. We do not seem to care what the qualifications are of someone we think will try to do good. In the end we may be sorry that we didn't look into what exactly our two remaining candidates have said and then actually done. Who has the best track record. I liked Obama after his speech at Kerry nomination, but I honestly think he lacks substance and experience. He needs more experience, we are in deep trouble and if he makes the wrong choice in vp we may find ourselves in the same boat as we did with Chaney. This is serious business. We cannot vote for a person who has charm, at the end of the day America can go down big because of the problems that Bush and Chaney has put us in. Our economy is in BIG TROUBLE, from everything I've read, this is just the tip of the iceberg there is more bad news to come. We need someone with experience to run and try to protect things so that our children and grand children will not have to pay for electing someone in office who did not know how to run it effienctly. I will try to post an article later on how Bush and his administration could have helped the housing debacle but went against helping the consumers and helping the banks. Nothing new there right?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:47 AM on 02/16/2008
- SeanGardner See Profile I'm a Fan of SeanGardner permalink

It will redraw the map.

Obama is doing well in states that Democrats have not tradionally won during presidential elections.

And, he did exceedingly well in states labeled quasi-Red or "Purple".

If winning presidential elections meant the DEM Nominee only had to win BLUE STATES, then John Kerry would have been the nominee. Obama understands that when DEMS compete everywhere, that bodes well for the party.

Obama is the first clear beneficiary of Howard Dean's "50 State Strategy", whcih put boots on the ground in the 50 States in 2005 - a move that was the primary reason Democrats have a commanding majority in the House of Representatives.

Obama knows that this is about DEMS winning more state houses, more governorships, and more seats in congress, not just winning the presidency (by counting on only BLUE STATES) - and doing it without a working majority of DEMS, GOPers and independents to push through a progressive agenda.

Obama will be the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in generations.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:39 PM on 02/15/2008
- Drewkowski See Profile I'm a Fan of Drewkowski permalink

Well put. There is no way Hillary would come close to solidifying the gains in the House and Senate if she were the nominee, and Democrats may even risk losing seats. Obama will not only compete in the purple states, but will draw a record turnout.

Like him or not, his candidacy has the potential to cause a huge paradigm-shift in the nation that Hillary is incapable of.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:58 PM on 02/15/2008
- JackWOrf See Profile I'm a Fan of JackWOrf permalink

Don't worry about the religious right. When they start thinking about Barak Hussein Obama sitting in the Oval Office, they'll go ballistic. Expect WHITE HOT fervor.

Do the Obamaniacs really believe that a black ultra-liberal college professor, with a goofy African-Moslem name, is going to be welcomed with open arms by lily-white America?

What idiots. They have no idea what America is about.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:52 PM on 02/15/2008
- Drewkowski See Profile I'm a Fan of Drewkowski permalink

He has been welcomed by enough people to make a difference. He does not need the crazy 30%, he can win within the reasonably sane 70%.

Such insane bigots would never vote for Hillary, or any Democrat in the first place. They do not need to be concerned with fringe right-wingers to win, just their left-center base and an indy-moderate coalition. We get the country moving together, and leave the Kool-aid Guzzling Conservatives, at the train station.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:04 PM on 02/15/2008
- massiel08 See Profile I'm a Fan of massiel08 permalink

WOW is that how you feel? Is that your "reality" or your view of America? In that case than Obama shouldnt have even made it to this point. At last I understand why you support Clinton. She's safe maybe she's a little wrong but I'm afraid Obama will lose. Don't fear defeat.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:24 PM on 02/15/2008
- hillarysupporter See Profile I'm a Fan of hillarysupporter permalink

They're gonna love "Omarosa" Obama, too.....
just what the world needs more of.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:21 PM on 02/15/2008
- SeanGardner See Profile I'm a Fan of SeanGardner permalink

"What idiots"

And you're a bigot. What do you know, bigot rhymes with idiot.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:49 PM on 02/15/2008
- treadway123 See Profile I'm a Fan of treadway123 permalink

You sure mike isn't a Republican spy for Mccain?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:05 PM on 02/15/2008
- booklover See Profile I'm a Fan of booklover permalink

Why is Obama repeatedly called Senator, when Hillary Clinton is consistently 'Mrs.'? Why are her qualifications and experience downplayed? Not once in this article is she called Senator Clinton. This might seem a minor point, but it is significant that as far as reporters are concerned she is simply Bill's wife, with no accomplishments or ideas of her own. In contrast to the awe and approbation Obama seems to receive for having accomplished very little, it shows rather glaring prejudice against a viable female candidate. It can't help but skew the reader's opinion. And I expect it's deliberate.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:44 PM on 02/15/2008
- RobBob See Profile I'm a Fan of RobBob permalink

I don't know what you're talking about. It seems pretty consistent in this article: Obama is "Mr. Obama", McCain is "Mr. McCain", and Clinton is "Mrs. Clinton".

That doesn't mean that the inconsistency in naming you allege doesn't exist. I guess I must be blind to this sort of thing though, because saying "Senator" instead of "Mrs." would make no difference to me.

Finally, my question to you is what, exactly, has Senator/Mrs/Hillary Clinton ever actually accomplished in her career? Really, I can't think of anything. As far as I can tell, her greatest achievement in the Senate is to get funding for the WTC memorial. Whoopee! She did nothing to stop or even slow Bush's march to war. Her health care proposals have died more than infamous deaths. ... What? I honestly can't think of anything positive that Hillary has ever done. And she talks about her great experience? Sorry, I just don't see it.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:46 PM on 02/15/2008
- massiel08 See Profile I'm a Fan of massiel08 permalink

I agree with you this is just another example of how sexist men are. Mrs.Clinton has made it to where she is through her connections and her merits. She is a single and independant woman. I am 23 years old and look up to her with femimine pride. (clearing throat) I am all about women power. And I swear if she where another candidate I would love to support her because I believe its time for a woman But Not this Woman Not this TIme...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:29 PM on 02/15/2008
- The Hedonistic Pleasureseeker See Profile I'm a Fan of The Hedonistic Pleasureseeker permalink

Obama ain't no prize either.

A nice-sounding bill called the "GLOBAL Poverty Act," sponsored by Democratic presidential candidate and Senator Barack Obama, is up for a Senate vote on Thursday and could result in the imposition of a GLOBAL TAX on the United States. The bill, which has the support of many liberal religious groups, makes levels of U.S. foreign aid spending will then become subservient to the dictates of the United Nations. The UN, by the way, is a big part of a "World Tax" scheme they'd rather you not know about.

So it's global, but not global? Sounds like a platform he's adopt.

Obama's proposed legislation also purportedly contains a hidden gun control provision.

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? ANOTHER CFR NEW WORLD ORDER GLOBALIST STOOGE? GAHHHH!

WORSE, Barack Obama's foreign adviser is the ARCHITECT of the smash-and-grab genocide in the Middle East: Zbigniew Brzezinski. Obama = MORE WAR = DRAFT.

Never mind what the man says or how he says it. He'll betray us all. His voting record closely matches Hillary Clinton's. Here is the new boss, same as the old boss, DON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN.

Aren't hardcore Democrats FURIOUS at the hijacking of their party by closet Neocons??? It's time for a third party candidate. The Constitution Party. The Peace Coalition. I don't care; I just refuse to accept my nonchoices.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:30 PM on 02/15/2008
- RobBob See Profile I'm a Fan of RobBob permalink

"Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide who live on less than $1 per day."

Wow, scary stuff. Ending poverty? Cutting the number of extreme poor in the world in half? Why waste our time with insignificant little issues like world poverty?

Seriously, where do you get the notion that there's some sort of "global tax" in the offing here? That notion is, simply put, patently absurd. It sounds like the garbage conspiracy theory stuff one would hear on Alex Jones' show, or the would-be theocratician loonies from the "Family Research Council", who never balk at a outrageous lie if it serves their perceived interests.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:59 PM on 02/15/2008
- Irizzee See Profile I'm a Fan of Irizzee permalink

Co Sponsored by 2 top ranking Republicans at that...Wowo, what a left wing nutjob...despite the fact that we already spend close to this, just not in this open and dedicated way, it's all currently done through silly appropriations that president's(like chimpy mcflightsuit) attach all kinds of silly stipulations on...This bill is actually a great piece of both economic and security legislation, but contards like this poster don't have a fricken clue...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:55 PM on 02/16/2008
- plutorage See Profile I'm a Fan of plutorage permalink


This election may be less geographical than any in recent memory. Or, at least, it will begin to reverse the segmenting of the electorate along geographical lines - i.e. coastal blue and interior red.

The NY Times opinion page is interesting today (Friday). Krugman writes on the contagion in the credit crisis which he compares to the 30's in the sense that both are characterized by a crisis of confidence in the financial system. Brooks, the conservative, writes a column suggesting consevatism needs a new start and then concentrates on social policy, because a change in social policy, he says, is necessary to have success in the economy. Laissez-faire is not enough!!
Here is the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/opinion/15brooks.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Mr. Brooks, please burn your Republican party card at the next neo-con convention and join the Obamicans.
If we are to have good social policy we need conservative input and we will not be getting any from Krauthammer, Kristol, et al.

"The problem is not a lack of good ideas. The problem is that Washington is the place good ideas come to die". - Barack Hussein Obama

With a democratic majority in congress expected and a democratic president, Obama, we progressives can expectedly get something done, if we hit the ground running. We need to get the distraction of Hilary out of the picture and start concentrating on the legislative agenda which, if well structured, will pay off for dems and the public for the next decade.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:11 PM on 02/15/2008
- NoGoodNamesLeft See Profile I'm a Fan of NoGoodNamesLeft permalink

There is a graphic rep ofthe states in this article which shows the states that were close during the last election. They are as follows:

NH- Clinton
NJ - Clinton
PA - not voted yet
OH - not voted yet
MI - Clinton (but doesn't count)
WI - not voted yet
IO - Obama
MN - Obama
FL - Clinton (but doesn't count)
CO - Obama
NM - Clinton
NV - Clinton
OR - not voted yet
WA - Obama

That's Clinton 6, Obama 4

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:29 PM on 02/15/2008
- massiel08 See Profile I'm a Fan of massiel08 permalink

funny how two of those states never met or heard Obama and their was no competition. I live in florida and didnt vote. People need to understand the reason for the high turn out was a property tax exemption from Governor. Christ..It was huge for floridians because home prices are outrageous!!! I dont own a home I'm in college..You Clintonistas know that those polls wouldnt hold had it been a full blown campaign. And in Michigan HELLO Only Mrs.Clinton's name was on the ballot and she barely won it. stop being ridiculous

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:34 PM on 02/15/2008
- JackWOrf See Profile I'm a Fan of JackWOrf permalink

Another factor is that if Obama wins the nomination, he could actually LOSE some of the HUGE blue states. Hillary clobbered him in CA. If he can't even win a Democratic primary in CA, how is going to do in the general?

Plus, there is a DIFFERENT Kennedy in CA. And his name is Ahnoold. Yes, CA could conceivably go red.

And NY? If Hillary is forsaken, the New Yorkers might get pissed enough at Obama to go red.

Florida? That is ALREADY GONE. The disenfranchisement of Florida was a HUGE mistake. Not to mention that Obama has never once come down here to Florida and disses Florida in his stupid mass meetings.

Obama is showing his MASSIVE inexperience with his IDIOTIC 50-state strategy. It is entirely possible that his campaign will be the biggest fiasco since Reagan beat Carter in 1980.

And with the way that Obama and the Obamaniacs treat many Democrats, white moderate Democrats will be living the Democratic party in DROVES.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:47 PM on 02/15/2008
- Irizzee See Profile I'm a Fan of Irizzee permalink

Does it rain on your planet, probably not...Your post actually may have made me dumber, for that I am truly angry.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:58 PM on 02/16/2008
- HLMerkin See Profile I'm a Fan of HLMerkin permalink

All the New Yorkers that I know breathed a sigh of relief on Super Tuesday that the momentum shifted to Obama. That includes many people not registered with a party who didn't vote in the primary, and a bunch of registered Republicans who wanted to vomit over the leading candidates in their party. They are all Obama supporters who are excited by the prospect of voting for him in the general election.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:06 PM on 02/15/2008
- massiel08 See Profile I'm a Fan of massiel08 permalink

jackworf didnt you post that America will never elect a black college professor as president. and what is up with that argument that NY might vote RED? oh yeah because they adore Hillary that passionately please not even Bill adores Hillary that much. By your post I can tell so much about you my friend.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:38 PM on 02/15/2008
- gappedtoothgodwarrior See Profile I'm a Fan of gappedtoothgodwarrior permalink

You can't count MI she was the only one on the ballot and even then almost lost to "uncommited"

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:43 PM on 02/15/2008
- NoGoodNamesLeft See Profile I'm a Fan of NoGoodNamesLeft permalink

she was NOT the only one on the ballot. Dodd, Kucinich, and Gravel were on the ballot. The state party begged them all to keep their name on the ballot. Anyone who wanted Obama or Edwards vote uncomitted. And, I don't think getting 55% of the vote when there was a concerted effort to get people to vote uncommitted is "almost lost".

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:56 PM on 02/15/2008
- BigBen See Profile I'm a Fan of BigBen permalink

Almost Lost. Almost Pregnant.Sorry but there were 3 democrats on the ballot.Chris Dodd and Kuchinik were on the ballot as well as Hillary.

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