Democratic Wave Building in Red StatesPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Oct. 14‚ 2008As the presidential race continues to show Democratic gains due to the economic crisis, a poll released yesterday found Barack Obama leading John McCain by a couple points in—of all places—North Dakota. What’s remarkable here isn’t that North Dakota hasn’t voted Democratic since 1964 (a lot of red states like Indiana and Virginia that last voted Democratic for LBJ are in serious contention.) It’s that the Obama campaign officially pulled out of the state several weeks ago—after Sarah Palin consolidated the right-wing Republican base. But now Palin continues to be the gift that keeps giving—as a much-hyped West Virginia campaign swing to bolster the McCain ticket got cut short after she brought out more protesters than supporters. If 2008 will be another “blue wave” year that rivals 2006, observers should take a closer look now at other pick-up opportunities off the radar. One of them is the Texas State House—where Democrats are only five seats short of winning back control. |