red state

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5 States Republicans and Democrats Aren't Fans Of

Sorry, Michigan

(Newser) - Pick a state, any state, and ask a bunch of people if they have a favorable impression of it. Generally speaking, Democrats and Republicans will answer differently—in 37 states, a clear majority of either Republicans or Democrats will give it a thumb's up. But YouGov points out that...

IN THE ROMNEY COLUMN...
 IN THE ROMNEY COLUMN... 
RED STATE TALLY

IN THE ROMNEY COLUMN...

A list of the red states in this year's election

(Newser) - The AP reported that Mitt Romney was feeling pretty optimistic about his chances tonight, so much so that he had written a 1,118-word victory speech—and hadn't prepared a concession speech. But the win went to Obama, though Romney managed to take the following states and 206 Electoral...

Elections Show Urban Coasts & Mid-America Divided
 Political Divide Gets Wider 
analysis

Political Divide Gets Wider

Midterm Republican sweep wasn't consistent across US

(Newser) - Unlike the midterm election victory in 1994 when Republican gains were consistent across the US, the 2010 GOP sweep shows a widening of the gulf between large urban areas on the coasts and the less populated areas in the middle of the country. Analysis in the Washington Post finds GOP...

Daughter Liz Revives the Cheney Brand

She carries on dad's national security message, and her fan base is growing

(Newser) - Move over, Sarah Palin and Megan McCain—the GOP’s newest rising star is Liz Cheney, “our favorite vice president’s daughter,” as she was touted at a recent conservative gathering. Cheney—an outspoken proponent of “enhanced interrogation” who has said “waterboarding isn’t torture”—...

Allen's Idol Win Another Triumph for Religious Right

(Newser) - Last night’s American Idol was more than just a reality-show finale: It was a symbolic victory of the religious right over the liberal left; red states over blue states. At least according to two bloggers. “For a theory about how Kris Allen pulled an upset over the wildly...

Blue States Dominate, and Purple Gains Ground

Dramatic shift in electorate favors liberals: poll

(Newser) - Blue states are far bluer than red states are red, says a new Gallup poll. Party registrations favor Democrats—they lead by 10 or more percentage points in 29 states and the DC, compared to four states where Republicans dominate—suggesting that Dems can expand on ther gains they made...

Even Red States Fresh Out of Inauguration Tickets

Try eBay, pal

(Newser) - Looking for a ticket to Barack Obama’s inauguration? Ex-San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown had some advice recently: Ask a Republican friend in a red state. “I mean, how many people from Oklahoma think this is the nation’s biggest historical moment?” he mused. Think again, Willie—congressional offices...

IN THE MCCAIN COLUMN...
 IN THE MCCAIN COLUMN... 
RED STATE TALLY

IN THE MCCAIN COLUMN...

(Newser) - In the race to 270, John McCain came up short, but turned a chunk of the map red, kicking things off by scoring 8 electoral votes in Kentucky and winning much on the South. Here's what the McCain/Palin ticket took:
  • Kentucky (8)
  • South Carolina (8)
  • Oklahoma (7)
  • Tennessee (11)

As Mac Defends Turf, Obama Preps Closing Argument
As Mac Defends Turf, Obama Preps Closing Argument

ANALYSIS

As Mac Defends Turf, Obama Preps Closing Argument

Dem will hit post-election themes in speech today; McCain focused on Bush territory

(Newser) - Barack Obama is closing out the campaign fighting for Republican ground, the New York Times reports, with the Democrat aiming to seal the deal by giving still-unsold voters a final chance to size him up. His final message will hit broader, less partisan themes, and his strategy is forcing John...

Dems Wield Cash in Battle for Southern Senate Seats

Unseating McConnell, Dole, others possible with funds high, GOP popularity low

(Newser) - With a huge fund-raising edge allowing for wide advertising blitzes, Democrats are pushing hard for Senate seats in red states even recently thought unwinnable, Alexander Bolton writes in the Hill. In North Carolina, Dems see a chance to unseat Elizabeth Dole; in Georgia, Saxby Chambliss; in Mississippi, Roger Wicker; and...

Obama Eyes Omaha to Split Neb. Votes

Campaign wants to pick up just one of Nebraska's electoral votes

(Newser) - Forty-eight of 50 states award electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis, but Nebraska, divvies up electoral votes by congressional district—and the Obama campaign sees an opening, reports the Washington Post. By concentrating just on the Omaha area, the Democrats are trying to pick up a single electoral vote in...

Election May Come Down to Same Ol' States
Election May Come Down to Same Ol' States
ANALYSIS

Election May Come Down to Same Ol' States

Focus back on Ohio, Fla., Penn., Mich., despite Obama plans

(Newser) - In the final 50 days, the biggest change in Barack Obama's camp is a return to old political strategy, the Washington Post reports. Partly because Sarah Palin's selection has solidified red/blue divisions of past years, Obama is targeting the same swing states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Florida—that determined the past...

Purple Voters Shade Right: Study

Swing group in swing states on conservative side of middle of the road

(Newser) - A study by a marketing firm finds that swing voters tend to be older and lean conservative, reports Advertising Age. The study broke down the US into red, blue, and purple states; within each, researchers used marketing tools to examine voter characteristics. They found that “purple states” are those...

Va. Joins Ranks of Swing States

(Newser) - Buoyed by recent Democratic gains in Virginia and President Bush's unpopularity, Barack Obama is taking aim at the once reliably red stronghold, the Washington Post reports. John McCain’s campaign is optimistic that he will carry the state, which Bush won twice by wide margins, but a top adviser cautions...

50-State Strategy Could Heal Red/Blue Divide
50-State Strategy Could
Heal Red/Blue Divide
OPINION

50-State Strategy Could Heal Red/Blue Divide

Why the candidates are doing the right thing

(Newser) - Barack Obama and John McCain each hope to widen the playing field this November, and that could be a good thing for the country, writes Ronald Brownstein for the National Journal. Part of the reason America is so partisan is because it’s politically balkanized. In 2000 and 2004, both...

Obama Aims Blue Paintbrush at Red States

Campaign turns to Clinton supporters in new hirings

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s campaign will hit GOP-dominated states as the candidate looks toward November, starting tomorrow with North Carolina, the New York Times reports. Obama hopes he can turn those states blue with the help of get-out-the-vote operations launched during the primaries—and aims to use his financial heft to...

Turning Red States Blue a Tall Order for Obama

Primary voters a far cry from general election pool in some states

(Newser) - Barack Obama's sweep of red state primaries has won converts to Obama's claim that he can redraw the political map in November and take states that Democrats have long written off as hopelessly red. Not so fast, warns the Washington Post—Dem primary voters do not reflect the general election...

Potential Bellwether Va. Shades From Red to Blue

Longtime GOP state among moderates flirting with Democrats

(Newser) - Virginia will have its critical primary moment tomorrow, but the state may play an even bigger role in November—that of a red state turning blue, reports the Wall Street Journal. The former Confederate seat has voted Republican in every election but one since 1952, but lately has elected two...

Obama Gains Traction With Dems in Red States

Hillary would have uphill battle where they come from, elected officials say

(Newser) - Barack Obama is better suited than Hillary Clinton to carry red states, say Democratic officeholders in traditionally Republican-friendly locales. It’s no coincidence that Obama recently picked up major endorsements in Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota, Politico reports. Democrats who’ve overcome partisan odds say they think Obama’s...

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