Although Florida is still a swing state, I would certainly say that it leans Republican. Pennsylvania, which has recently been considered a swing state, is - I think - reliably Democratic this year.

Ohio and Virginia are states to watch. I don't necessarily buy into the hype about Michigan being in play for Republicans or Georgia being in play for Democrats.

It is interesting to note that Ralph Nader is on the ballot in at least 45 states this year. Bob Barr has a nationwide campaign as well. Cynthia McKinney is there for the green party but I don't see her as much of a factor. I think she very very mildly compounds any "problems" Nader presents for Democrats (or Democrats present for themselves by selling-out).

I am dumbfounded by the convention. What the hell has the Republican Party become? Maybe the cowboy hats say all that needs to be said there. But I do think that Giuliani gave a great speech.. very substantive.. covering most of the ground as far as soft spots for Obama.

Palin, well-coached, gave a good speech as well. I still think she's an insular little bumpkin who has virtually no experience debating national policy issues. She has been an executive, that's true. But I see Biden running circles around her.. embarrassing her.. feasting on her flesh.. in a vp debate. Obama too, though perhaps to be fair.. Obama is also well-coached and well-advised.

Maybe the Republicans will demand that Sarah Palin gets to wear an earpiece during a vp debate.

I still wish Obama would take John Mccain up on the town hall debates. And participate in the google New Orleans debate. I think Nader would actually tear up Obama in a debate. Because Nader talks more substance and Obama talks more fluff. Not that Nader is immune to pandering and exaggeration. There's a game tyhat goes.. every time Nader says any derivative of the word "corporation," you have to take a drink.

I understand that, to the Obama people, engaging in any unnecessary debates could only be a potential liability. But how does that bode for openness, accountability, and "change we can believe in"?

I think the pick of Sarah Palin was proabbly the most defining and decisive moment in the McCain campaign. Is he a centrist maverick willing to work across party lines? I think he should have picked Joe Lieberman for vp. (Of course I do because I'm a social liberal, but). It would have sent a clear message of bipartisanship.. real change.. and undercut that core message for Obama. Picking Sarah Palin decisively answered the question.. can the GOP break the stranglehold of the Christian Right and get back to real issues and real cooperation? Apparently not. In a very important way, the southern strategy is alive and well.

We should have let the south secede when we had the chance. Politically-mobile evangelical protestantism is a disease on our dialogue, our government, our country.

you stated the DEM of FLORIDA committed voter fraud..
YOU WERE WRONG!!