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The Dakotas

Submitted September 6, 2008 - 3:16 pm by Blue_SD (not verified)

Al, I disagree that North Dakota leans towards John McCain. I would say that it is the biggest surprise of the entire election, and that it is a 100% bona-fide tossup. The polls are showing a tight race, and Obama even had the lead in one mid-summer sample. The two Dakotas, states that I've lived in for a total of 19 years, are fertile ground for an Obama victory on November 4th.

North Dakota is a particularly rich target because it doesn't have voter registration, which means that anyone who wants to vote can simply show up, present an ID, and cast a ballot! What an amazing opportunity to get Native American reservations, college students at UND in Grand Forks and NDSU in Fargo, Democrats in Bismarck, and senior citizens in the west to the polls.

Many will be quick to dismiss the state because it only has 3 electoral votes, but it's easier and cheaper to advertise in than New Hampshire (which only has 4 EVs, anyway) and it provides a good opportunity for some of the Minnesota volunteers to head to eastern ND now that their state is largely solidified. The religious demographic of North Dakota is heavily skewed towards Lutherans - one of Obama's best religious voting blocs- and he gets a lot of support from mainline ELCA voters.

Local press gave Obama huge front-page stories when he showed up earlier, and they'll do it again if he returns, because ND rarely gets national visitors. He should come again and barnstorm around the state for 2 days. Tellingly, the Obama campaign just opened more field offices. They know they have a shot, and they're coming on strong. Did I mention it's dirt cheap to campaign in North Dakota?

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