McCain strategists consider Iowa, NM, and CO to be 'gone' to Obama. Looking 4 a way to win w/o CO

[Liberal_in_LA]

October 20, 2008
McCain camp looking for way to win without Colorado
Posted: 06:40 PM ET

From CNN Chief National Correspondent John King


Some McCain insiders believe Colorado is out of reach.
(CNN) — The McCain campaign is looking at an Electoral College strategy heading into the final two weeks that has virtually no room for error and depends heavily on a dramatic comeback in Pennsylvania, which hasn't backed a Republican for president in 20 years.

While Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado are still officially listed as McCain target states, two top strategists and advisers tell CNN that the situation in those states looks increasingly bleak. Iowa and New Mexico always have been viewed as difficult races, but the similar assessment of Colorado reflects a dramatic shift for a campaign that had long counted on the state.

"Gone," was the word one top McCain insider used to describe those three states.

This source said while the polls in Colorado remain close, he and most others in the operation were of the opinion that the Obama campaign and its allies have a far superior ground/turnout operation and "most of us have a hard time counting on Colorado."

Rest of the article here:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/20/mccain-camp-looking-for-way-to-win-without-colorado/

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

I take great satisfaction in the unfolding spectacle of the McCain Campaign Debacle.

[malaise]

2. At this rate he may retreat to Texas

by weekend :rofl:

[skooooo]

8. Take a deep breath and SOAK IT IN!

:bounce:

[Mz Pip]

3. NY & CA

would do it for Johnny Mac. :rofl:

Dream BIG!!!

[wryter2000]

4. LMAO

CA and NY. Now, that's funny.

[lonestarnot]

7. Snort!

:rofl:

[muntrv]

5. McCain, why don't you just pull out of the country and take Carribou Barbie with you?

[SoCalDem]

6. They cannot "do" it...

the bare bones map:


the "423" map:

[electionwatcher]

9. If this is true .......

...then the McCain campaign is setting itself a immensely difficult task, particularly this close to Election Day.

Conceding Iowa, New Mexico and Iowa to Obama, McCain has to win every other 2004 Bush state as well as flip Pennsylvania red. This would give him a 286 to 252 win (coincidentally the actual Bush-Kerry result in 2004. If Virginia flipped to blue McCain would still win 273 to 265. A VERY narrow win!

If this is the strategy they are left with then they are in a VERY desperate position. To accomplish this in two weeks is asking a great deal. I believe its a mountain just too high to climb.

It surprises me that they would allow such comments about Colorado, Iowa and New Mexico to become known. The only reason I can think as to why they might want it to come out is to add to a sense of inevitability of an Obama win. Maybe they want to promote complacency among democrats to the degree that many of them don't think it necessary to go out and vote. If this was to happen, maybe their last ditch strategy could just work. Even so, its still a huge long shot. Obama supporters are very enthused and will no doubt vote regardless. The Obama campaign is very organised with their ground game and GOTV and is already working to guard against complacency.

Maybe this is all McCain has left. But it will be too little too late!

[kentuck]

10. I drove thru NM yesterday...

and Obama bumper stickers out-numbered McCain stickers by about 10 to 1... Maybe a trend going on in NM??

[Roy]

11. This calls for a "surge" to make sure they stay out, at least a decade