// BEGIN editorial data
var i = 0;
var Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States = new Array();
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.ID = "Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.ID_WB = 24989318;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.sPubDate = "6/5/2008 7:52:02 PM GMT";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.navsectionID = "3032071"
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appFmt = 2;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.itemsPerPage = 1;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appWidth = 460;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appHeader = "fact file|General election competitive states";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appDeck = "An analysis of the 50 states and their possible roles in 2008";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appFooter = "Source: Associated Press";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appNavStyle = 3;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.appLayout = 3;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.copyHeight = 150;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.copyWidth = 340;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States.copyMargin = 9;
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i++] = new Array("","Battleground states","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i-1].body = "
Colorado
Electoral votes: 9
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 5.
Of note: Population growth and Hispanic voters give Democrats hope.
Florida
Electoral votes: 27
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 5.
Of note: Always a hard-fought state given its large cache of votes.
Iowa
Electoral votes: 7
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 1.
Of note: High Democratic priority.
Michigan
Electoral votes: 17
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 3.
Of note: McCain hopes Reagan Democrats and independents help despite a dreadful economy.
Minnesota
Electoral votes: 10
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 3.
Of note: One of McCain's top targets with a Republican governor.
Missouri
Electoral votes: 11
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 7.
Of note: A perennial competitive state.
Nevada
Electoral votes: 5
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 2.
Of note: Another Western state Democrats aim to pick up.
New Hampshire
Electoral votes: 4
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 1.
Of note: McCain is beloved; the state made him in 2000 and saved him in 2008.
New Mexico
Electoral votes: 5
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 1.
Of note: Democrats hope Hispanics and new residents help here too.
Ohio
Electoral votes: 20
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 2.
Of note: Recent GOP statewide defeats may make this bellwether poised for a switch.
Oregon
Electoral votes: 7
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 4.
Of note: McCain's independent streak and environmental focus could be appealing here.
Pennsylvania
Electoral votes: 21
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 3.
Of note: Republicans see a chance, given McCain's broad appeal.
Virginia
Electoral votes: 13
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 9.
Of note: Democrats see opportunity with Obama.
Wisconsin
Electoral votes: 10
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 1.
Of note: Another Great Lakes state McCain is targeting.";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i++] = new Array("","Wildcard states","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i-1].body = "
California
Electoral votes: 55
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 10.
Of note: McCain talks big, but a Republican hasn't won it since 1988.
Delaware
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 7.
Of note: Among coastal states McCain may have an outside shot at if the tide turns toward the GOP.
Georgia
Electoral votes: 15
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 17.
Of note: Democrats hope Obama's draw among blacks makes this competitive.
Louisiana
Electoral votes: 9
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 15.
Of note: Democrats claim blacks would help Obama here.
Maine
Electoral votes: 4
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 9.
Of note: McCain's fight against climate change and rebel reputation give him hope.
Mississippi
Electoral votes: 6
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 19.
Of note: Another state where Democrats say Obama could benefit from blacks.
Montana
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 20.
Of note: The state last voted Democratic in 1992 but now has a Democratic governor.
New Jersey
Electoral votes: 15
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 7.
Of note: McCain's broad appeal makes this attractive to Republicans.
North Carolina
Electoral votes: 15
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 12.
Of note: Democrats see an opportunity with Obama.
Washington
Electoral votes: 11
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 7.
Of note: Another where McCain's moderate image could help.";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i++] = new Array("","Likely Republican","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i-1].body = "
Alabama
Electoral votes: 9
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 25.
Alaska
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 25.
Arizona
Electoral votes: 10
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 11.
Arkansas
Electoral votes: 6
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 9.
Idaho
Electoral votes: 4
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 38.
Indiana
Electoral votes: 11
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 21.
Kansas
Electoral votes: 6
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 25.
Kentucky
Electoral votes: 8
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 20.
Nebraska
Electoral votes: 5
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 33.
North Dakota
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 28.
Oklahoma
Electoral votes: 7
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 32.
South Carolina
Electoral votes: 8
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 17.
South Dakota
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 22.
Tennessee
Electoral votes: 11
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 14.
Texas
Electoral votes: 34
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 23.
Utah
Electoral votes: 5
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 46.
West Virginia
Electoral votes: 5
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 13.
Wyoming
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Bush by 40.";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i++] = new Array("","Likely Democratic","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i-1].body = "
Connecticut
Electoral votes: 7
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 10.
District of Columbia
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 80.
Hawaii
Electoral votes: 5
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 9.
Illinois
Electoral votes: 21
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 11.
Maryland
Electoral votes: 10
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 13.
Massachusetts
Electoral votes: 12
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 25.
New York
Electoral votes: 31
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 18.
Rhode Island
Electoral votes: 4
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 20.
Vermont
Electoral votes: 3
Margin of victory in 2004: Kerry by 20.";
Pol_080605_2008_Competative_States[i++] = new Array("","","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
// END editorial data