Colorado
President Obama’s victory in Colorado was among his most
prized accomplishments in 2008, after the state had voted reliably
Republican in eight of the last nine presidential elections. A wariness
of big government could test Mr. Obama in the Rocky Mountain West, but
Mitt Romney faces his own challenge in appealing to independents and
women, whose support was critical in a pair of Democratic wins in races
for Senate and governor in Colorado in 2010.Florida
The most famous battleground state in America could once
again earn that title. President Obama carried the state in 2008, but a
wave of home foreclosures and a sour economy has complicated his path to
an easy victory. A growing number of conservative retirees offer Mitt
Romney hope, but the outcome could hinge on whether he can win over
Hispanic voters, particularly younger Cuban Americans in southern
Florida and Puerto Ricans in central Florida.Iowa
President Obama has a sentimental attachment to Iowa for
delivering his first victory in his improbable primary race four years
ago. But the state presents a far bigger challenge this time. Mitt
Romney and the full Republican field spent months attacking Mr. Obama in
the Iowa caucus campaign this year, which has kept the president’s poll
ratings lower than other nearby states. In a close general election,
these six electoral votes are critical to both sides.New Hampshire
The White House has paid close attention to New Hampshire,
sending Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to the state repeatedly to
make an argument against Mitt Romney, who has a vacation home in New
Hampshire and is seen as a favorite son. The voters have an independent
streak, but generally oppose what they perceive as government intrusion
in their lives. It could be one of Mr. Romney’s best opportunities to
win a state that Mr. Obama carried.Nevada
The economic outlook in Nevada has declined considerably
since President Obama won the state four years ago and has been slow to
rebound. With the nation’s highest rates of home foreclosure and
unemployment, Mitt Romney has a ready-made laboratory to argue that
policies of the Obama administration have not worked. A large Mormon
population also could bolster Mr. Romney, but Mr. Obama is hoping his
appeal to Hispanic and lower-income voters will deliver the state again.
Ohio
There are few credible paths to the White House for Mitt
Romney without winning Ohio, a well-established bellwether. The state
has accurately picked winning presidential candidates in the last 12
elections. A steadily improving economy could help President Obama carry
the state again. Large portions of the state remain conservative, but
Republicans worry that Democrats may be motivated by a victory last year
in which voters struck down a law restricting public workers’ rights to
bargain collectively.Virginia
As one of the nation’s newest battleground states, Virginia
will be center stage in President Obama’s fight for re-election. The
state is deeply conservative, but population shifts in Northern Virginia
have changed the state’s political demographics. Mitt Romney’s argument
against the expansion of government is complicated by the number of
government workers in Virginia. The president carried the state by seven
percentage points in 2008, but both campaigns agree the race will be
closer this year.Wisconsin
The addition of Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin to
the Republican ticket does not guarantee victory over President Obama,
but it cements the state’s role as a true battleground. Democrats
carried the state in the last six presidential contests – often narrowly
– but Republican groups are advertising to try to push the Obama
campaign to spend money. Still, Mitt Romney is at the top of the ticket
and must show that he can make his own case here.
No comments:
Post a Comment