It has been revealed that Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has been gaining much ground in states won by current US President George W. Bush. This spells not so good news for GOP Presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona.
As a result, it forces McCain and his VP running-mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to play defense in the red states. Now, it is revealed that there is a new state in which the GOP may be forced to play defense.
That state is Montana, a state that is reliably red. It means that the chances of a GOP victory in the state are pretty high. This time, it seems that Montana is up for grabs. It could either go to McCain or go to Obama.
Back in 2004, Bush won a major victory in Montana over then-Democratic nominee Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.
CNN Political Researcher Alan Silverleib explains: “Montana’s usually a reliably Republican state in presidential campaigns. It’s been won by the Democrats only twice in the past half century. If you’re a Republican and you’re fighting for Montana in the last few days of the campaign, you’re not in good shape.”
Overall, the state of Montana is officially up for grabs. While Montana had leaned towards the GOP in the elections, there is still hope for McCain. When a state is up for grabs, it does not necessarily mean it is going to lean towards the other person.
It simply means that Montana is up for grabs between McCain and Obama. While this revelation does not necessarily look good for McCain, he could still win a victory in that state come November 4.
Overall, it seems that Montana has shifted from “red” to “up for grabs.”