Should Tennessee be considered a swing state?

[ButterflyBlood]

In my opinion no. If Gore couldn't win it I see no reason why Kerry could. If it weren't for the favorite song factor it probably would've voted similar to how North Carolina or Virginia did. Kerry's wasting money there.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. No.

Why in the world would it?

[Bertha Venation]

2. I know some Tennesseans who are voting for Kerry.

Don't give up on any state -- that would be my li'l message to the Kerry campaign.

[Zynx]

3. Virginia is not a waste either.

Certainly no more than Arizona.

[Robroy]

4. Anything's possible..

I live in Nashville, and I believe Kerry can carry this city and most of the areas west of Nashville all the way to Memphis. To the east Cookeville is possible. Knoxville is probably the trump card. Our new governor, Phil Bredesen, is a strong Democrat (from the Northeast), who is well-liked by progressives and conservatives alike, and who carried Knox County in the governor's race. He's tight-fisted with the budget, does not play favorites with state money. Whether or not he can neutralize Senators Frist and Alexander's influence remains to be seen. Call me a dreamer, but you gotta' believe.

[WVhill]

8. Income tax?

What's Bredesen's position on a state income tax? Is the state still having budget problems?

[carolinayellowdog]

5. Tennessee has a much better record of voting D than VA or NC

Especially for Clinton:

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/appb.htm

[yellowdawgdem]

6. better chance with southern veep

I really think a southern vp would pick up people's interest in Tn. There are already more abb than you think esp in middle tn. I sure wouldn't count it out just because Gore lost, either. Lots of things have changed since 2000. It's not going to be an identical landscape by any means, and just might be a landslide for Kerry.
I hope he puts ad money into all of the swing states that are showing close or tied. Also mobilizing the black community would pull in votes.

[roach23]

7. yes it should

the last poll I saw said 48% Bush, 44% Kerry. The reason Gore lost Tennessee was because they shut down polls early in minority neighborhoods. I think Kerry should campaign here, especially in middle Tennessee. He could hit Vanderbilt, Fisk, TSU, Belmont, and MTSU in two days easily. If all the college kids vote I think Kerry will win.

[nomaco-10]

9. The election theft just didn't occur in Florida.....

I live in Tennesse and witnessed first hand the voting abuses that went on in 2000. Predominantly black precincts were shut down early in the day due to "mechanical problems" with the machines and hundreds were turned away at one particular precinct because their names mysteriously disappeared from the voter rolls.

[Thrill]

10. Well Phil Breseden hasn't exactly

been coming out pushing Kerry on his folks. Maybe he needs to get more vocal criticizing Chimpy before we can give it a serious look