Obama defends typically GOP states in race to 270
President Barack Obama begins his re-election campaign defending traditionally Republican territory that he carried when he won the White House four years ago. Republican Mitt Romney is looking to reclaim any combination of these GOP strongholds now in flux.
In the months leading to the Nov. 6 election, both men will talk about how they will galvanize the nation. But in reality, they will lavish travel, advertising and staff on only a dozen states, and even fewer as the vote nears.
The political spotlight will shine brightly again on Florida, and the Upper Midwest, especially Ohio. But changes in the nation’s demographics will mean heavy attention paid to the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest.
“For a long time the map was static. I don’t think that holds true anymore,” said Tad Devine, a senior adviser to former Democratic presidential nominees Al Gore and John Kerry. “Places like North Carolina and Virginia are changing, and they are getting a fresh look.”