Jim - understand about the state by state EV's. Point was that he'll need to carry very well in the middle of the country and the southeast to offset the larger EV states. During the primary in my precinct there was the largest turnout off voters for any election since I've lived here and going along with the representation of poll workers outside, they were primarily for OB, and this area has been Republican for years, but I swear they were bringing people in from Birmingham.
cool. yes, every state matters and the GOP will have to take all the usual ones. and I have no doubt he will.
As has been pointed out already, that groundswell of youthful support is already eroded very significantly and I believe the reason is that, as has happened every election since I helped get Vote-18 passed, the candidates have had to shift their positions to the center to try and capture the mushy middle. this is a stake in the heart to the ideologues and their response is to say screw it and stay home. the kids are nothing if not ideologues. Hell I used to be one (the right side not the left) and it took me a long time to realize that it was just impossible to elect a president as conservative as I would like. I keep trying but I'm realistic.
The kids are wandering off...
The independents are wandering off (they HATE shifting positions that are obviously poll driven)...
The wimminis are still pissed off and they are still wanting to feel security in terms of national defense and economic ways. The energy thing is a freaking gold mine if McC can avoid ****ing it up (pardon my french).
We cannot take ANYTHING for granted but I really believe its McC's to lose at this juncture.