AP: Republicans Gain in Critical Swing States

[ProgressiveOne]

Excerpts:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans have made significant gains in crucial swing states, in large part because of President Bush's post-Sept. 11 stewardship, according to an extensive analysis of American voters.

The percentage of registered voters who identified themselves as Republicans increased in Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa - three states that Democrat Al Gore captured in the 2000 election. At the same time, the GOP experienced a hefty gain in Arkansas, while grabbing the edge in Tennessee and Florida, according to the analysis by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.

In Florida, the decisive state three years ago, Democrats held a five-point advantage leading up to the 2000 contest. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 37 percent of Floridians identify themselves as Republicans, 36 percent as Democrats.

The swing toward the GOP could make it easier for Bush in next year's election, with fewer competitive states in play, and harder for the eventual Democratic nominee to unseat the president.

"Republicans are in much better shape than they were four years ago," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center.

Time for us to dump Terry MacAuliffe and purge the party of the Arkansas gang. We finally get an *authentic* progressive in Dean, and the Clintons foist Clark on us to split the vote. MacAuliffe promises that the Kentucky and Mississippi races will give the voters a chance to send an agry message to the White House, and we lose both races.

If the AP is correct, we're in real trouble unless heads roll soon.