Today, Political Wire posted a few comments that many followers of Mr. Obama's schedule might have already deduced.
President Obama has visited seven states since being sworn in: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia.
What do they have in common? Six of the states are where Obama had his smallest margins of victory in the 2008 presidential race, an indication that the White House is planning his public appearances with an eye towards 2012.
If the President has an eye on 2012 while he is simultaneously governing, he should look to more than the 2008 swing states. If his team truly wants to build a long term progressive majority, as it probably does, then some of the swing states from 2008 will see their colors solidly blue.
I understand that President Obama's visits to these states are probably part of that process to making the "swing states" potential "blue states" (at least if the President's economic plan succeeds).
But, Mr. President, if your eyes are on 2012, I hope the eyes of Obama are upon us. The pendulum is swinging our way. In four years, a Democrat might wield the gavel in the state house. More importantly for the President, 2012 will provide a Senate race that will either showcase the first incumbent statewide Democrat in decades or a good chance to knock of a 2-year Republican incumbent. |
