The 2008 Electoral Map

In the first national poll of presidential preferences, SurveyUSA asked 30,000 respondents in all 50 states, if the election were held today, who would you vote for.

The Results:
Both Democrats Beat John McCain
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Hillary Clinton 276
John McCain 262

States Democrats Pick Up:
West Virginia, Arkansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Florida

States Democrats Lose:
Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire

View Clinton/McCain Electoral Map
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Barack Obama 280
John McCain 258

States Democrats Pick Up:
Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia

States Democrats Lose:
Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey

View Obama/McCain Electoral Map

I’m always skeptical of national polls, but it’s interesting that this is the first conducted in all 50 states for the general election.

Tennessee: Corker (R) vs. Ford (D)

This will without a doubt be a close race. Current projections put Tennessee in Republican Bob Corker’s column however his lead is slim (within the margin of error in fact). A current Rasmussen poll puts Corker at 47% and Ford at 45%. Unfortunately, the tricky part about polling is that you never know which poll is most accurate; some have Ford ahead by as much as 9 points, others have Corker demonstrating the same lead. The brunt of these polling results has been in the middle, with Ford and Corker between 3 to 5 percent of one another. Indeed, Tennessee is actually in play for the Democrats, and some are asking, “How?”

First consider the State of Tennessee and than the candidates’ stances on the issues. Corker is a traditional conservative with basic values that match Tennessee’s conservative culture. Likewise, Ford is a conservative Democrat with conservative social positions and liberal economic ones. It has only been through his centrist campaign that he has been able to appeal to Tennessee voters (lets admit that a traditional liberal couldn’t otherwise win in Tennessee). I was watching CNN the other night and Ford appeared on the Situation Room to defend his campaign. While listening to him I wouldn’t have otherwise known he was a Democrat had the little “(D)” not appeared on the bottom of the screen. Ford discussed how he uses his faith to guide his personal beliefs and morals. As a result, he’s against gay marriage, euthanasia and “after witnessing something several years ago” partial birth/late term abortion. He even went as far to say he was a “follower of Jesus”; something that would be shunned in any liberal culture but is respected in Tennessee.

I do wonder how he would be as a U.S. Senator? How would a Democrat from a fiercely Republican state vote on the Senate floor? I mean if the Democrats do regain control of both houses, would they be able to count on Ford’s vote when pushing their agenda? It’s an interesting question- and it further fascinates me that just six years ago he contested Nancy Pelosi for the House Democratic Minority position. I suppose he is loyal to his party, and if anything he would be a centrist, independent voice in the U.S. Senate

Interestingly, Corker is refusing to debate him. In a Corker press conference just a few weeks ago Ford showed up and challenged his opponent to a debate. Many in Tennessee criticized him for “unstatesman-like” activity, but you know what, he has balls and I praise him for doing something so gutsy. It is stupid for Corker’s campaign not to agree to a debate; what do they want to accomplish? Deny the voter the opportunity to hear two people in a forum of open ideas? Not draw the distinctions between the two candidates? Perhaps Corker’s campaign is compensating for Corker being weak on the issues. After all, it doesn’t even make strategic sense. In Pennsylvania, Casey isn’t debating Santorum because Casey has nothing to gain (he’s up 9-15%). Corker is neck and neck- and in an election you should be willing to do anything to get elected. How dare the Republicans pounce on Ford’s character? How dare they distract voters from the issues? Tennessee ladies and gentleman: a state where Corker wants to spew smack, and Ford wants to talk to issues.