healthcare, environments, and the Iraq War.
Toss up between red and blue
New Jersey
Poll hours: 6AM – 8PM
# of electoral votes: 15
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 1 Democrat
House seats open: 7 Democrat 6 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
New Mexico
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 5
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open:Â 1 Republican
House seats open: 2 Democrat Republican
Swing state: Yes. The state has voted Democrat since the 1992 election bit voted Republican in the 2004 election. George W. Bush narrowly defeated John Kerry by .8% of the popular vote.
How Obama can win: Reach people with substance as well as symbolism. Deliver a clear, moderate, pro-business message appealing to western-style conservative Democrats. Emphasize his background, characters, and values. Campaign vigorously for the Hispanic vote that supported Hillary Clinton, particularly since one-fourth of New Mexican voters are Hispanic.
Leaning Blue state
New York
Poll hours: 6AM – 9PM
# of electoral votes: 31
2004 election results: Voted for John Kerry
2000 election results: Voted for Al Gore
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 23 Democrat; 6 Republican
Swing state: No
Blue state
North Carolina
Poll hours: 6:30AM – 7:30PM
# of electoral votes: 15
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 1 Republican
House seats open: 7 Democrat 6 Republican
Swing state: Yes
How Obama can win: Pursue the rare chance for a competitive presidential race here by using campaign resources to register and turn out new voters. Mobilize the black electorate in a way that’s not happened here before. Build on the recent success here of the state’s Democratic legislature and governor to secure a difficult (but not impossible) win.
Provisional ballot status: www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/provisionalvoting/?s=86
Absentee ballot status: www.sboe.state.nc.us/VoterLookup.aspx?Feature=voterinfo
Leaning red state
North Dakota
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 3
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: No
How Obama can win: Wedge into the usual Republican presidential vote with support for the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation. Blast high fuel and food prices. Pledge getting the job done in Iraq and brining troops back home to a state proud of its high rates of military service. Keep under-30 voters excited and make sure they get to the polls.
Red state
Ohio
Poll hours: 6:30AM- 7:30PM
# of electoral votes: 20
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
Senate seats open: 0
House seats open: 1 Democrat
Swing state: Yes. In 2004 George W. Bush garnered a two percent victory for the state’s popular vote.
How Obama can win: As Hillary Clinton did in the primary, convince voters that he understands long-standing economic problems and can solve then in this pivotal state. Recognize women voters’ high turnout rate, and stimulate greater turnout among Democrats in Cleveland. Make sure eligible voters get to vote and that ballots are properly counted. Address the war in Iraq.
Online Feedback: www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/voter/f?p=104:1:93001109639196
Toss up
Oklahoma
Poll hours: 7AM – 7PM
# of electoral votes: 7
2004 election results: Voted for George W. Bush
2000 election results: Voted