Yes, he is appealing from an electoral vote perspective. It really does come down to Michigan or Minnesota if Ohio is lost. Iowa and New Mexico have to be held, however, and Richardson may be on the VP shortlist for the Dems, so NM will be a tough hold.
FR folks need to think a great deal more about tactics. Idealogical purity has no power if one is not in a position to exercise any power in its behalf.
The shaky Bush states upcoming are CO, NV, IA, and NM. The Democrats have poured money in Ohio and they have the governor there to make a difference vs 2004. Bush’s EV total was 286 and without Ohio it becomes 266.
So if the shaky states are held, another 4 EVs have to be found somewhere. The best chances are WI, MN and MI, all of which have more than 4 EVs. MI has 17 and a win there even provides cushion for loss of NM’s 5 to Richardson and Nevada’s 5 to Reid.
Minnesota has 10 and could earn victory via 266 + 10 - 5 (NM) = 271.
Think tactics. They decide victory.
Tactics also mean running a candidate who will force democrats to spend money in states they usually win. Rudy runs well in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and some other states. He may even force the dems to spend money in California. We need to take the gender card out of play which is why we might want to look at the governor of Alaska for a VP. Smart, attractive and has no patience with Ted Stevens. Although I’d like to see Lynne Cheney as VP.