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The map is pretty close. Except it lists IL as swing (it now is classified as "leaning democrat") and it lists MN as democrat (it is now a "swing state"). I think it also lists 19 states where most current maps list 16-18 states. Couldn't figure out the extra state.

I thought CNN had a summer intern put that map together (switching MN for IL) until I realized it is a pre-election 2000 map rather than a 2004 map based on 2000 results or current polls.

But it is close enough.

Below are the 16 swing states agreed upon by most (some also include Arizona, Maine or Louisiana). They are ranked by number of 2004 electoral votes (post-2000 census reallocation). The 2000 margins are also noted. If you compare the 19 cities to the list below (which are the only states which will decide the race), all the states with 10 or more electoral votes, except Pennsylvania, have ads (southern Wisconsin I think gets some coverage by Chicago radio). All the ones with smaller vote totals do not.

Oddly enough, while the ad buys covered Portland MA, Birmingham AL, and Oklahoma City OK, they did miss *all* of the bottom-tier swing states and hit *all* the top tier swing states (except PA) ranked by electoral votes. Strange.

Goes back to my first post. If the 2000 FL fiasco is replicated in enough of the *large*swing*states* to deny either candidate 270 (delegitimizing the results through disruption), the chaos will make 2000 look like a picnic (ATXN42000). The powers that be better think this one through. Capitol Hill remains a target.

State /2000 Margin (%) / Electors

Florida / 0.009 / 27
Pennsylvania / -4.2 / 21
Ohio / 3.5 / 20
Michigan / -5.1 / 17
Missouri / 3.3 / 11
Tennessee / 3.9 / 11
Washington / -5.6 / 11
Wisconsin / -0.2 / 10
Minnesota / -2.4 / 10

Iowa / -0.3 / 7
Oregon / -0.4 / 7
Arkansas / 5.4 / 6
New Mexico / -0.06 / 5
Nevada / 3.6 / 5
West Virginia / 6.3 / 5
New Hampshire / 1.3 / 4

They may be covering themselves in targeted states.