From Wikipedia:
* Colorado: (9) The Centennial State is holding its second Democratic National Convention in Denver after 100 years. The election of Ken Salazar, a Hispanic-American to the U.S. Senate; Bill Ritter to the Governorship in 2006 and a U.S. House seat pick-up in 2006 made it a prized apple for the Democrats, prompting DNC Chairman Howard Dean to claim that the West holds the key to victory in 2008, which effectively made Denver the location of the Convention. A strong Hispanic-American concentration and the attention brought to bear on such issues as immigration reform, labor union support and minimum wage have made this a possible Democratic state. Recent polls show Barack Obama with a 5%-9% lead.
In Florida, from February 2008 to present, McCain's lead in the polls has decreased from an average of about 9% to about 2% with undecided voters making up about 11% to 13% of the total.data
In Florida, from February 2008 to present, McCain's lead in the polls has decreased from an average of about 9% to about 2% with undecided voters making up about 11% to 13% of the total.[56]data
* Florida: (27) The key player in 2000, whose votes went — narrowly and controversially — to George W. Bush, making him the effective winner. Experts agree that the winner of Florida will have a significant advantage towards advancing to the White House. Florida has trended toward the Republican Party since 2000. For Democrats, the vote of the elderly is seen as a potential boon, due to the party's traditional stance on Medicare and Social Security (two key components of winning the elderly vote), while Republicans have an advantage with their stance on tax cuts and values issues. The Hispanic and African American populations in Florida could also give the Democrats an edge in a close race. For Republicans, the business attention of tax cuts and Cuban-American attention has made it a strong contender. Current polls show McCain with a slight lead.[57]
In Indiana, from February 2008 until June 2008, McCain's 9% lead in the polls was reduced to a tie. From early June to present, Obama's lead in the polls has increased to an average of about 1% to 2%. During this period, undecided voters made up an average of about 7% to 11% of the total.data
In Indiana, from February 2008 until June 2008, McCain's 9% lead in the polls was reduced to a tie. From early June to present, Obama's lead in the polls has increased to an average of about 1% to 2%. During this period, undecided voters made up an average of about 7% to 11% of the total.[58]data
* Indiana: (11) The state has not voted for a Democratic Presidential Nominee since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, but a poll shows a generic Democrat leading a generic Republican in the Presidential election 37%-32%.[59] Another poll by the Indianapolis Star showed the War in Iraq and the sluggish economy to be the biggest issues among Hoosiers. Also, the poll found that a Democratic ticket featuring Indiana Senator Evan Bayh would boost the possibility of Indiana switching alliances.[60] Current polls show Indiana as a pure toss-up.[61] In 2006, Democrats won three house seats here. Another factor that may drag down the Republican ticket might be Governor Mitch Daniels, who has had relatively low poll numbers recently. Also in 2006, Democrats gained control of the Indiana House.
* Iowa: (7) Iowa is a true toss up state; it went for Gore in 2000 and Bush in 2004. In 2006, Democrats retained control of the Governor's Mansion with the addition of two U.S. House seats and the election of Chet Culver as governor, another potential running mate for the Democratic nominee. Also, for the first time in four decades, Democrats gained complete control of the state legislature, further enhancing the progress of the Democrats. Still, agriculture policies and conservative values make it a magnet for the Republicans. Current polls show Barack Obama with a sizable lead in Iowa.[62]
In Michigan, from February 2008 to present, Obama's lead in the polls has increased from a virtual tie to about 5% to 6% with undecided voters making up an average of about 14% of the total.data
In Michigan, from February 2008 to present, Obama's lead in the polls has increased from a virtual tie to about 5% to 6% with undecided voters making up an average of about 14% of the total.[63]data
* Michigan: (17) The Great Lakes State has been a fairly safe bet for the Democrats in recent decades, giving its substantial electoral votes to Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry. However, with each election, the margin of victory has narrowed, opening a window for the Republicans. Populism and a historically strong labor movement have dominated the state and given Democrats an advantage, but Republicans have gained ground in advancing tax cuts and other social issues appealing to "Reagan Democrats". A population exodus from Democratic Detroit has made the conservative Republican west more influential. Still, Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm was soundly re-elected in 2006 despite the state having the highest unemployment rate in the country on her watch. Current polls show Michigan with a slight Obama lead[64]
In Missouri, from February 2008 to present, McCain's lead in the polls has decreased from an average of about 6% to about 1% to 2% with undecided voters making up about 11% of the total.data
In Missouri, from February 2008 to present, McCain's lead in the polls has decreased from an average of about 6% to about 1% to 2% with undecided voters making up about 11% of the total.[65]data
* Missouri: (11) The Show Me State has been long been dubbed the bellwether for the nation because historically it has correlated very closely with the national Zeitgeist – with the single exception of 1956, Missouri has supported the winner of every Presidential election since 1904. The home state of President Harry Truman leans slightly Republican, and granted its 11 electoral votes to Bush in both 2000 and 2004. Despite the relative strength of Republicans in this Midwestern state, it has a strong penchant for advancing populist causes such as stem cell research and universal health care. In 2006, Missouri elected its first female U.S. Senator in Democrat Claire McCaskill. Moreover, the national mood souring over the war in Iraq and a contentious gubernatorial election with a Democratic favorite in Jay Nixon make this state a strong possibility for the Democrats.
* Nevada: (5) Although Nevada has historically leaned Republican, the high concentration of labor unions and Hispanic-American vote make it a potential battleground state. (Its 2006 Gubernatorial election was particularly competitive, and Republican Jim Gibbons won only by a slim margin.) The Las Vegas metropolitan area with its dramatic increase in population has become an attractive destination for Democratic campaign resources, and Republicans are buoyed by the strong disapproval ratings of Gibbons (29% approval rating as of March 2007) and Bush (34% approval rating as of March 2007).[66] Furthermore, Nevada has, with the single exception of 1976, been won by the victor of every US Presidential election since 1912, a record which makes it a secondary bellwether state.
* New Hampshire: (4) Once very reliably Republican, New Hampshire became a swing state in the 1990s. Republicans still have somewhat of an edge in statewide elections, however the Democrats took control of the state legislature and both Congressional seats in 2006. The New Hampshire Republican Party tends to be more socially liberal than the national party, and as a result their behavior in national elections is harder to determine. New Hampshire was the only state in the nation that went for Bush in 2000 and then for Kerry in 2004, although by narrow margins both times. Current polls show New Hampshire as a pure toss-up.[67]
* New Mexico: (5) New Mexico has been long eschewed as a nominal state, but that thinking has changed dramatically. With elections being heavily contested and victories being decided by two or three states, New Mexico has become one of the centers of political fighting. In 2000, Gore won by a razor-thin margin and in 2004, Bush won by a small, yet safe margin. These results have made experts conclude that New Mexico's five electoral votes, even though small in calculation, could tip the balance. New Mexico's large Hispanic and Native American populations tend to vote Democrat, and could be the key for a Democratic candidate in a close race. Its penchant for populist streaks have made it an attraction for the Democrats, and Governor Bill Richardson was a contender for the 2008 nomination, and has been widely speculated as a vice presidential candidate.
In Ohio, from February 2008 until mid-April 2008, McCain's 2% to 3% lead in the polls was reduced to a tie. From mid-April to present, Obama's lead in the polls has increased to an average of about 3% to 4%. During this period, undecided voters made up an average of about 12% to 13% of the total.data
In Ohio, from February 2008 until mid-April 2008, McCain's 2% to 3% lead in the polls was reduced to a tie. From mid-April to present, Obama's lead in the polls has increased to an average of about 3% to 4%. During this period, undecided voters made up an average of about 12% to 13% of the total.[68]data
* Ohio: (20) "I think 2008 is very likely to be a hotly contested race in Ohio," stated Eric Rademacher, director of the University of Cincinnati's Ohio Poll, for the Cincinnati Enquirer.[69] Its 20 electoral votes were critical to President Bush's reelection in 2004, and their tally was close enough to be contested. In 2006, Ohio voters elected Democrats Ted Strickland and Sherrod Brown for Governor and U.S. Senator, respectively. Current polls show Obama with a slight lead. [70]