Word: battleground
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...took the lead in national polls and edged ahead in some key statewide matchups after he became - finally - the nominee. He hired staffers in virtually every state and hinted that he could raise perhaps $500 million for the fall campaign. Al Gore was brought on board in the key battleground state of Michigan (just as John Edwards had been a few weeks before). Hillary Clinton will even join him for a brief unity tour this week. Normally, this would be called a strong second...
...less encouraging data. But Obama's campaign has never really been about people's pocketbooks. That was more Hillary Clinton's thing. Now, with Clinton finally out of the picture, the presumptive Democratic candidate is trying to make up for lost time with a two-week campaign swing through battleground states like North Carolina, Missouri and Ohio, talking about the economy at every stop. That's smart. But if Obama's early speeches are any indication, his reinvention of himself as the economy candidate is not going to be a slam dunk...
...This year, given the closeness of the race and the importance of winning a few battleground states, McCain and Obama will keep at least one eye on the Electoral College map right through November. That means Obama will be considering choices like Ohio governor Ted Strickland (though Strickland says he would turn down the offer) or one of three possibilities from Virginia - Governor Tim Kaine, former governor Mark Warner or Senator Jim Webb. Or perhaps a Westerner like Montana governor Brian Schweitzer. McCain might get an Electoral College boost by picking Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Pennsylvania's ex-governor...
...Raleigh speech kicked off a planned two-week push by the Obama campaign on the economy - most of it taking place in battleground states that went for Bush in 2004. This week he's talking mainly about short-term fixes "to help working families who are struggling to keep up"; next week, his aides say, the focus will be on the long run. The latter plays to Obama's strengths, as he can wax eloquent about the nation's need for investment in education, infrastructure and clean energy. For now, he and his advisers are reciting the details...
...trust a longtime Bushie like Scott not to be a turncoat, whom can you trust? The game of leisure chicken begins: Which candidate will take an extended vacation first? Preconvention R&R is a campaign standard, but every day on the beach is a day away from a battleground state. McCain has been enjoying the luxurious schedule of the unopposed since March, recently taking weekends off. Democrats have taken notice--and are also worried by Obama's obvious fatigue. Does a close election go to the better rested or the one who works harder...