Virginia and North Carolina are out of reach -- the trend toward increasingly upscale suburbanization (the sort of voters who reject Palin even if they're otherwise Republican) will be even more entrenched in 2012. I'm not sufficiently familiar with Florida to be sure, but I get the impression that the same is true there.
Virginia is not as “blue” as you may think, steve. Obama did not blow out the state, but squeaked by, courtesy of Hampton Roads. Palin has tremendous support in the southern and western parts of the state and in the Shenandoah Valley. She can win the state back, especially since McDonnell is currently 6 points ahead of Deeds for the governor’s office. Rumor has it that she will be coming down soon to campaign for McDonnell.
IOW, if there is a wave coming that could sweep 0 out of office, Palin is poised to ride it. If there isn't, we're stuck with 0 anyway.
With respect, bollocks.
Virginia and NC voted Obama because of the drop in support for Republicans among white males. These people had had it with Republicans, and for good reason; why vote for the Bushtard Party when McSame is all they’re offering?
Offer something new, something concrete, something that people can understand: competence in government and fiscal rectitude, and white voters will come back to the Republicans in droves. Including many Hispanic voters.
Best,
Chris