McCain picked Palin to help him win Colorado and Ohio

[rhombus]

I think the McCain campaign has made a decision to put Palin on the ticket solely for electoral strategic purposes. The fundie base is hardcore in pocket cities in Colorado (home base to Focus on the Family) and definitely very large in Ohio.

McCain camp has made the calculation that all Kerry states will most likely stay within the Obama column. Ohio and Colorado are the true swing states in this election. If Obama wins either one of them, McCain is done. Palin helps with the Fundie base immensely.

[YDogg]

1. perhaps. most republicans aren't critical thinkers. or thinkers.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. And that's in addition to being thoroughly qualified to be president

This Palin thing is as transparent as McCains's combover.

[Danger Mouse]

3. It's bad strategy. Obama is making plays for a lot more states than that.

He's playing chess on a grand scale and is moving his pieces into alignment.

[hulklogan]

4. Seeing as how fundagelicals think gay rights are worse than abortion

I think her "friendly" (not really) position on LGBT partner benefits in Alaska might dampen the enthusiasm of my Focus on the Family neighbors.

[hlthe2b]

5. McCain has pissed off Coloradoans with his water stance

already (and water is an ENORMOUS issue in the WEST), not to mention his intent to drill drill drill... Now, granted Dobson will like Ms. Creationist VP candidate and that will help McSame, but I do not predict that will be enough. A lot of our Colorado PUKES are SoCAL in origin, relatively recent arrivals--and the social issues pale in comparison to their fiscal greed as a predominent issue. Bush* and his REPUKE cronies have hurt their pocketbooks... That leaves a mark. Plus, we've lost our share of troops to this disastrous misadventure.

But, we shall see.

[yellerpup]

6. Thanks for the insight on key issues to Coloradoans.

What is important to you should be important to us all.

[OhioBlue]

7. Won't Dobson think she should be home taking care of her baby?

Seriously - I'm not in the evangelical loop of thinking, but I thought they had think-tank white papers on how so many of society's problems point to the fact that mothers work. How would they reconcile that with the mother of a 4 month old baby going across the country 7 days a week and campaigning for 20 hours a day? I'm a little lost here as to why they don't think the conservative christians might not approve of it?

[Berry Cool]

8. It's OK If You're A Conservative

Remember, Phyllis Schlafly, a lawyer herself, built an entire career out of telling other women to stay home and be housewives and mothers.

[OhioBlue]

9. Didn't Elizabeth Dole say something like that too? n/t

[XOKCowboy]

11. Even Marilyn Musgrave is behind

in a predominately and historically bright red district to a veritable Dem newcomer.

The hunters/outfitters/tourism/environmentalists aren't happy with the way the oil shale boom is making western Colorado look like an ant farm from the air and especially are concerned about drilling on the Roan Plateau.

IMHO there's a difference between winning over Focus on the Family and winning Colorado. Yes there are some fundies here but Colorado isn't Oklahoma. There are a lot of religious Repubicans hurting in this state. Remember Barney Smith from last night. There are a lot like him here. Picking an inexperienced Alaska governor isn't going to change their mind and if it's played right will push them farther from McCain.

[4themind]

10. I agree, virginia will be a state to watch as well

[Awsi Dooger]

12. Right, I've mentioned it in several threads

That Palin was picked to try to steal maybe 1 point in Colorado, Ohio and Virginia.

McCain knows he needs an unlikely sweep of the pivotal states, ones that figure to be very close. In some respects this makes perfect sense, because a favorite son can only impact one of those states. A female VP might be worth nothing, or less than nothing, but if it clicks McCain could peel part of a vital demographic.

It's almost like McCain is challenging women: I don't think you're smart enough not to be fooled by this.

[Carrieyazel]

13. You're right about Colorado, not right about Ohio

McCain had an advantage in Ohio without Palin. That kind of a state would unlikely go with Obama. The significant number of racists in Ohio would come out the woodwork to vote against Obama. You're correct that Obama will likely win all of the Kerry states (I have my doubts with New Hampshire) plus Iowa and New Mexico. Then Colorado would be enough to take out McCain with either 269 or 273 EVs. This forces Obama to bet the house on Virginia now and the strategy by McCain is to take away Obama's options.

[Cha]

14. Oh New Hampshire loves the last 8 years under bu$hit?

I think the majority are smarter than that.