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All eyes on Pennsylvania as bellwether of McCain's fate
The Washington Times ^ | November 4, 2008 | Stephen Dinan

Posted on 11/03/2008 8:26:54 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

The political pros say they'll be watching to see whether Pennsylvania goes red Tuesday - if so, Sen. John McCain might pull off one of the greatest comebacks in political history and be on his way to the White House.

But if Sen. Barack Obama holds Pennsylvania and collects Virginia or Indiana, two states that haven't gone Democratic since 1964, a landslide is in the offing for Democrats, and that could help them win down-ticket races that could give them a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

"If you think of the Electoral College, and Barack wins [Pennsylvania], it is difficult for McCain to overcome," said Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, New York Democrat. "If Pennsylvania goes to McCain, then it's a horserace. It indicates undecideds and independents are breaking his way."

In 2000, the bellwether was Florida, in 2004 Ohio and this time Pennsylvania.

"If it goes big for Obama, then you have the economy and the reverse Wilder effect," Mr. Meeks said, meaning that people who didn't want to admit to pollster - or to their friends - they were voting for a black Democrat actually did just that.

The final polls close in Indiana and Virginia at 7 p.m., and Pennsylvania closes its polls an hour later. In between is Ohio, which closes at 7:30 p.m. and which is critical to any Republican map.

"Pennsylvania is the bellwether state if I had to pick one, but I'd also say Ohio," said Tim Havrilek, a political consultant in Kentucky. "Democrats have an edge in Ohio, but Pennsylvania has a little of everything - mirrors the nation. It's the one to make a fair assessment for the rest of the nation."

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida; US: Indiana; US: Ohio; US: Pennsylvania; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 2008; 2008polls; election; elections; mccain; obama; pennsylvania; polls; swingstates
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To: Peelod
"How “enthusiastic” will Rendell be in his “support” for 0?"

There's no "walking around money" this year and Big Ed Rendell is a Hillary-ite, so what do you think? LOL

21 posted on 11/03/2008 9:07:26 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: In Error and arrogant -- he's errogant!)
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To: time4good

Actually, IIRC, it’d be 269 each, in which case it’d go to the U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by the Democrats, which almost assures a win by Senator Obama.


22 posted on 11/03/2008 9:09:22 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: In Error and arrogant -- he's errogant!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"Fast Eddie" Rendell has to put on a brave phony face for Obama, or he'll be linched by Friday night.

He doesn't really like him at all.

23 posted on 11/03/2008 9:27:39 PM PST by SlightOfTongue
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To: rlbedfor
mccain does not have to have PA to win. bush (the two term pres.) never got PA

So true. There's so much focus right now on PA that if it goes for Obama, the MSM will go nuts calling the whole race for Obama, when in fact it will be far from finished. McCain doesn't have to have PA to win the election.

However, if McCain wins PA, Obama is in serious trouble.

24 posted on 11/03/2008 9:50:40 PM PST by T. Buzzard Trueblood (Odinga is the new Ayers.)
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To: PennsylvaniaMom

I believe!

Barry will NOT be singing the following, tomorrow night.

Strike up the music the band has begun
The Pennsylvania Polka.
Pick out your partner and join in the fun
The Pennsylvania Polka.
It started in Scranton, it’s now No 1
It’s bound to entertain you
Everybody has a mania
To do the polka from Pennsylvania


25 posted on 11/03/2008 10:15:02 PM PST by aroostook war
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Can anyone post the final RCP avg for the PA primary?


26 posted on 11/03/2008 10:16:11 PM PST by Norman Bates (Freepmail me to be part of the McCain List!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Vote baby vote.


27 posted on 11/03/2008 10:20:16 PM PST by BAW (Proud member of the vast right wing conspiracy.)
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To: time4good

You can’t tie the electoral vote at 270 apiece. You can tie the electoral vote at 269 a piece.


28 posted on 11/04/2008 12:13:52 AM PST by BIOCHEMKY
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Democrats have an edge in Ohio,

Democrats have no edge in Ohio!

McCain will take it by 10ts.

29 posted on 11/04/2008 3:16:34 AM PST by fortheDeclaration (O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord-(Jer.22:29))
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To: fortheDeclaration

Exactly.

I live in Ohio, and I can tell you The O does not have a lead. Especially after his “bankrupting” the coal industry comment. I have a friend making hundreds of calls a day for McCain, and in my part of the state, a very split part of the state, he said 80% are voting McCain. Imagine, a pollster calls and someone either hangs up, says undecided, or or just says Obama when in fact they are voting McCain. Then, someone calls in support of Mccain. You’re so elated you don’t feel guilty and don’t have the O shoved down your throat, you’d be happy to talk.

On a side note, I just saw 1.3 million people on facebook.com (mostly college kids) have donated their status to “getting out the vote for John McCain.” I have yet to see o’s numbers there, but that in itself should be encouraging.


30 posted on 11/04/2008 5:56:42 AM PST by ConstantConservative (Keep pushing Freepers & PUMA's, we're making a difference!!)
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