During the February primary campaign, a poll was released of West Virginia by SurveyUSA showing John McCain with a lead of 18 points. Hillary Clinton went on to win the primary by over 40 points.
Common wisdom at the time dictated that an African American could not run successfully in Appalachia, and West Virginia is the very definition of Appalachia.
However, recent polling has shown Obama within no less than 5 points of John McCain in a state that has been reliably Democratic(unlike Kentucky and Eastern Tennessee). This is including a poll by a local operation out of Charleston.
This state has one of the largest Democratic registration advantages in the country, and is a very cheap media market to advertise in as shown by FiveThirtyEight's listing of the state as the #7 state for return on investment.
If you want an example of a state that feels the economic pressure we all do in very acute way(and hates the "DC Elites") look no further.
This isn't any attempt to argue that West Virginia is some gigantic goal, but that in an election where 5 electoral votes could EASILY determine the outcome, failing to fight for this state could be a poor decision.
The man has barely spent a cent there, and to my knowledge has visited three times, yet has made up over 10 points vs. John McCain. My best friend is from West Virginia, and the people on the ground there are starting to trust him now that they're getting to know him.
Just making a suggestion guys. Its time to forget states where Sarah Palin is going to play well in with just a few electoral votes(ND, SD), and refocus.