John Kerry took Pennsylvania by two points against Bush in 2004. Obama lost the PA primary to Hillary but led McCain there by 12 as recently as mid-June. His lead has been shrinking ever since and the two most recent polls have the PA race at 2 points - albeit advantage Obama: see here and here.
Given McCain's current momentum while Obama seems to be starting to flail a bit, this is very bad news for Obama.
If he loses Pennsylvania and its 21 Electoral Votes, this thing could be over. Democrats lost the White House while carrying PA in 2000 and 2004. Cobbling together an electoral strategy without it could prove impossible for Obama.
It isn't a state Obama expected to have to fight hard to win just a month ago.
If all my relatives living between the Pittsburgh and Johnstown corridor are any judge, Obama is in trouble. The same with those living between New Castle and Erie.
Posted by: Sara | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 06:53 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s//ap/20080908/ap_on_el_pr/college_republicans_obama
I suppose if this guy is any indication about the PA GOP then yes, he may be in trouble. Would he qualify as a community organizer?
Posted by: Spartan112 | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 09:02 PM
I don't know about PA but we here in New PA are pretty pissed ... McCain never mentions us and acts like we don't exist.
Posted by: New PA resident | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Obama will win PA. And if he doesn't, I'm going to sell all my Pokemon cards on ebay. You guys hurt my feelings. You are all mean.
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10:39 PM
No, that guy just qualifies as a jackass.
Posted by: PA | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Agreed. A republican jackass.
Posted by: Spartan112 | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 11:45 PM
"---
No, that guy just qualifies as a jackass.
Posted by: PA | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10:55 PM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Agreed. A republican jackass.
Posted by: Spartan112 | Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 11:45 PM
---"
Really? Does it always have to be about "The Party" with you lot?
Because there certainly is no shortage of jackasses in either party.
Posted by: seekeornos | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 12:35 AM
The Keystone State is indeed the keystone for all of Democrat hopes for recapturing The White House.
It isn't difficult to win without Pennsylvania, but for Democrats, it's impossible.
Posted by: Dan | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 03:20 AM
"I'm Barak Obama...see, see, see
Vote for me, me, me
Whee, whee, whee
Join us; ayers, jeremiah, michelle,rezko and me, me, me
We’ll do it to you, you, you
YOU'LL pay our fee, fee, fee
WHATEVER you want; you'll get from me, me,me
BUT, it won’t be free, free, free
Whee, whee, whee
Posted by: sand_dollar | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Yes Spartean, a Republican jackass. He said something stupid; he was trashcanned. If he had been a Democrat who, say, joined a "Death ot Israel" rally; shouted "God Damn America!" in a church, publicly said that America deserved 9-11, said that his only regret about September 11th was that not enough republicans died, called for the assassination of the President, or donated money to the jihadists in Iraq... he'd be considered a hero by his party.
Your party, that is.
And I'll bet you're mighty proud of them.
Posted by: DaveP. | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 02:29 PM