McCain hopes to turn the tide in Great Lakes Area

Yahoo News / AP ^ | August 22, 2008 | Liz Sidoti / Brian Bakst

[no dems]

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Democratic dominance in presidential elections has been the norm for decades throughout much of the country's union-strong industrial Great Lakes region.

The GOP presidential candidate is mounting strong challenges to Democratic rival Barack Obama in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, and eyeing Minnesota — four states that have thwarted Republicans in at least four straight elections. The Arizona senator is also fighting to hang on to Ohio, a bellwether that President Bush won twice.

They are home to large numbers of blue-collar whites, whom Obama has struggled to win over; senior citizens, who polls show tilt toward McCain; and Catholics, a swing-voting constituency. These groups comprise the bulk of the right-leaning suburban Democrats who were successfully courted by Ronald Reagan in the 1980s and may be attracted to McCain if he can keep his distance from Bush. In addition, each state has rural conservative voters who could reject Obama's liberal voting record and, perhaps, his race.

[no dems]

If Mac wins PA, the pundits say it's over for B. Hussein. I'm thinking about going up for a week and working for the campaign.

[DustyMoment]

IMO, McCain’s fortunes rest heavily on the outcome of the DNC convention. If Burp manages to walk away unscathed as the anointed nominee of the DNC, the Dems will remain split and the divide could grow even larger.

If Hillary pulls off an upset, the Dems will likely remain split, but mostly (IMO) along racial lines. i think that, at this point, the concept of “unity” in the dem Party is anathema. The party is deeply divided and will likely remain so.

The issue then turns to McCain. If Hillary pulls off an upset, the great lakes region will probably remain Dem territory. If Obama retains the nomination, McCain could make some headway in the region with “Reagan Democrats”.

[militem]

If Hillary somehow nabs the nomination, election over for the Dems. Both PA and OH go to McCain. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philly and Pittsburg stay home. Just my 2 cents.

[no dems]

If Hillary steals the nomination back from B. Hussein at the Convention (he stole it from her first with help from the Super Delegates and the DNC) McCain will win in a landslide.

The Black voters in every state in America will rebel and stay home or vote for McCain. It will be a 50 State sweep for Mac.

[impeachedrapist]

If Mac wins PA, the pundits say it's over for B. Hussein. I'm thinking about going up for a week and working for the campaign.

If you do, go to PA-12 near Pittsburgh and work for Bill Russell in his attempt to defeat ex-Marine Jack Murtha. Two birds with one stone! :-)

I saw a Rasmussen poll from this week showing B. Hussein Obama with a 3-point lead in PA, down from a 7-9 point lead a month ago.

[no dems]

I had high hopes for the young lady who ran against Murtha in ‘06. It fizzled. I think Murtha will leave Congress when they carry him out feet first.

If he couldn’t be defeated in ‘06.....I dunno.

[impeachedrapist]

That’s the spirit!! Why put forth any enthusiasm when you can just be a defeatist?

[Darren McCarty]

The only way Murtha can get beat is if he's seen as "gone national" instead of being Pennsylvania's John Dingell taking care of the steel and mine industries.

I thought Irey had a shot, but she nationalised that race. Bad move.

[SamAdams76]

This McCain boy is starting to pick up some momentum. Why it seems like only yesterday that Obama was the "chosen one" who would win no matter what. But no. Instead, the McCain campaign is offering the perfect family vacation, giving multiple generations the space and chance to reconnect and a refuge from life's hectic pace.

Yes, we're on vacation and we are taking McCain with us!