In 2008 President Obama was able to flip some surprising states. Indiana, North Carolina, Colorado, and Virgina being the big ones. With a TINY loss in Missouri. Iowa and New Mexico are the only states to switch from Gore to Bush to Obama, though NM now seems more solidly democratic and Iowa still seems to lean blue.
Hillary’s position in Florida appears stronger than any Democrat since 1976. Republican pipe dreams in PA and MI are the Lucy with the football states for Republicans. Hillary’s bigger weaknesses are in CO and NV, though that polling probably underestimates her performance in those states against Trump while going hard for North Carolina.
Unless something major changes HRC is smart to hammer down the 2012 Obama states. I think if Kerry can win PA and MI in 2004 she really only needs to slightly defend them. NV and CO will come into the fold.
But, if she has the money, or if Priorities USA is brave enough, they should buy time now (cheaply) in Missouri (2008’s closest state with a good senate candidate), Indiana (2008’s 3rd closest state with a decent senate candidate) as well as Utah, Kansas, Arizona, Georgia, Montana, the Dakotas and, yes South Carolina, Kentucky and Arkansas.
I think there is a decent chance she can win MO and AZ with a real commitment, and that will divert GOP funds from Ohio and North Carolina. Plus, should she pull senate winners from MO, IN and IA, she'd have a much easier time getting maybe 3 SCOTUS noms confirmed, replacing Breyer, Ginsberg and… dun dun dun Kennedy with yougins’.
Not to mention I'd like to see all that blue on the map, Omaha included.
If after August the race is basically where it is now, I say go for 400 EVs. Be aggressive, hell,ya never know, a weird state like Alaska might give her a win with effort and an extra senator to boot. TX is probably out of reach even with a full press, but the others could make for an awesome mandate and a way better senate and maybe even Democratic house.
holding the White House for 16 years is hard, I say go for broke, and be a James K. Polk prez. Meet every goal in 4 years. If we get 4 more, then icing on the cake.
what say you?