[Paleo Conservative]

Sabato's Crystal Ball in '04: Bush 278 Electoral Votes, Democrat 260...

If Bush only wins the same states he won in 2000, he would have 278 Electoral votes in 2004. I think he is going to not only win the states he won in 2000, but carry the several close states that went for Gore. This is my conservative projection.

It could be much better, and President Bush might win more than 40 states. He's currently very popular in New York and could possibly win there. If the DemocRATS keep collapsing in California, Bush might win it and also Barbara Boxer could be defeated in her race for a third term.

The DemocRATS might nominate Dean, and the Republican ticket might win 45 or more states.

The DemocRATS totally lose their minds, nominate Al Sharpton, and lose all 50 states, but win the District of Columbia. This would cause the Electoral College to vote 335-3 in favor of Bush.

[Pubbie]

This projection is nuts.

Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Oregon should go R next year, which will give Bush over 315 EVs.

I would put Michigan as a tossup/leaning dem. It would be hard to win Michigan but not impossible, not like winning Kalifornia!

[PhiKapMom]

I don't buy Sabato's crystal ball! We were close in Minnesota and Wisconsin not to mention Iowa. Minnesota elected Norm Coleman and you cannot tell me that we don't stand an excellent chance of picking up Minnesota.

Graham will not put Florida in the win column for RATs. Jeb is popular and won be a landslide including clinton campaigning for McBride. Graham is not that popular in FL now (voted against tax cuts for one!) and there are things in his background that could torpedo him!

Just don't see this map as happening! Sabato is living in the past before 9/11 and a lot of people have changed since then. Not to mention the religious right will vote in greater numbers next time because of the chance of RATs appointing Supreme Court Justices. After the rulings recently, a lot of folks who stayed home will turn out for Bush!

[Kenny Bunk]

Paleo, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Michigan and very possibly California, among others, wound up in the Gore column through blatant fraud.

If there is a a concerted anti-fraud effort, some of the states projected for the Democrats very possibly could go Bush, and some of those "marked tight but leaning Democrat."