Obama Hopes to Take Hold of 7 Traditionally GOP States

WASHINGTON — Alaska is young. Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia have growing populations and many black voters. Montana has seen recent Democratic inroads, and North Dakota has sent only Democrats to Congress since 1986. Indiana borders Barack Obama’s home state. The Democratic presidential candidate is putting money and manpower in all seven of these states — at levels unmatched by Republican rival John McCain. For decades, these states have almost exclusively voted for Republican presidential candidates and have rarely seen any campaign action. Now, thanks in part to demographic and political shifts, they are emerging as new battlegrounds. “We have the organizational ability and the financial ability to compete there,” Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said recently. “There is not a head fake among them.” Undeterred, senior McCain strategist Steve Schmidt said: “We feel very confident about holding these states.” He also expressed ... (link)