Barack Obama: So Deep Summer Tour '08

According to Ben Smith, Obama will be focusing his resources on campaigning in 18 states; 14 won by Bush in 2004 (AK, CO, FL, GA, IN, IA, MO, MT, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, and VA) and 4 won by Kerry (MI, NH, PA, and WI). Consider this a memo to McCain from the Obama campaign stating, "Our fundraising jimmy runs deep, so deep, we put the Upper West to sleep." See map below.




In the following map, the more nuanced color gradient from blue to purple to red, reflects the 2004 margins of victory in each of these 18 states. The redder states indicate a larger margin of victory for Bush in 2004. The bluer states . . . well . . . don't look too hard, there aren't any among these 18 states, would've reflected large Kerry victories, while the purple color reflects state contests that were close in 2004.



What these maps show is that Obama's sizable war chest is allowing him to reach into traditionally Republican states and, at the very, very least, force McCain to play defense.

Sure, the usual suspects are on the list (Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), and changing demographics are pulling new states into play (Colorado, Nevada, and Virginia), but Montana, Indiana, Alaska, and North Dakota, states that Bush won by 20, 21, 25, and 27% respectively, really? . . . that's just an excuse to show off.

Obama (slowly tapping steepled fingers under chin): "David, have the Intermint print me another 10 million Obamabucks, I want to play in Ketchikan."

Plouffe (face buried in Blackberry, trying to sell Florida Election Commission on idea to switch to a caucus for the General, mouths to Obama) "Consider the memo sent."

Hope you like fly fishing, and Buffalo Burgers, Sen. McCain, because Obama and his Scrooge McDuck-like money bags of "Fuck you" cash are dropping into a fly-over zone near you.

The Protocol would like you to know that today was a good day.