“Much different demograqphics in VA than in PA, OH, and IA. IA is one of the whitest states in the coutry and a much smaller ratio of bible beaters in PA and OH. Romney could easily win PA, OH, and IA, yet lose VA. Romney being a New England liberal Mormon changes the electoral red/blue map.”
You’re right, he does change the electoral map. If he’s down 13 to Obama in VA - he’ll be down 15+ in PA, MI, MN, WI, and CO; down 10+ in IA, OH, and NV, and probably down 5 in IN and FL, and MO. SC and GA go to tossup.
Romney as the nominee gives the GOP zero advantage in the NE while opening up the entire south to Obama.
I agree about opening the South to Obama. I think SC is too much to overcome for Obama, but I bet GA and TX become tossups. I do think Romney has a shot at NJ and I think ROmney wins IA, CO, and NV.