I think some of those are quite safe, but when Montana shows up as a toss-up, when Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico are almost considered lost, yes, it’s not a pretty picture.
No danger of losing Utah, Wyoming, or Idaho.
New Mexico and Utah I know also have mountains and are western. But they are so very much desert as well, I kind of “shoved them aside”, probably erroneously.
New Mexico is heavily, heavily Hispanic and Native American. Santa Fe is filled with artisan hippie types and rich celebrities. To have a slim shot there is nothing short of a miracle.
Utah is a lock for McCain.
Montana has a lot of Democrats, historically. It now has two Dem Senators. This is not really a new thing. I am not surprised at all to see a potential battle for Montana.
Colorado has not been reliably Republican for awhile. It’s been tight and getting tighter all the time as new people mostly fleeing Californians move in.
Nevada has had something similar going on for awhile.
I don’t think McCain could change what is.
Some states are a lock. Like you said, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho.
I’m hopeful for Montana and Nevada.
A little bit so for Colorado.
Little at all for New Mexico.
I don’t think it’s going to be a game changer the way it goes.
Sure we’d like to have it all, but that doesn’t reflect the realities going for some years now.