Your analysis makes a lot of sense, and I am glad to hear the state’s “environment” has changed as it has. As you mentioned, shale gas will be a big deal to those people too which would hurt Obama’s chances there as well. Shale gas won’t mean so much to Philadelphia though, (urban, small parcels that won’t see the same royalties, etc.) that little rat hole city that always turns Pennsylvania away from where the state as a whole wants to go. I’m glad I don’t live in PA as I would be so angry every election when 95% of the acreage of PA votes with some sense and then that 5% comes in with all the people there and screws up any common sense they have.
Here’s hoping more of that 95% land mass will come out and overcome that Democratic stronghold in Philadelphia! :)
PA would be a great state if we could get rid of Philthy and Pittsburgh. They screw it up for the rest of us.