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Jun 4, 2008 11:32 pm US/Central

Reality Check: Minnesota's Role In 2008 Election

Reporting
Pat Kessler
(WCCO) Barack Obama's visit to the Xcel Energy Center to claim the Democratic nomination was no accident. It was a challenge to Republicans trying to claim Minnesota in the presidential "win" column this year. So is Minnesota becoming a Republican state even possible?
Minnesota hasn't voted Republican since Richard Nixon in 1972, but again this year, Republicans say Minnesota's in play.

It's TRUE.

Even though, Minnesota appears to be a solidly Democratic blue state Republicans will hold their national convention in St. Paul this summer.

And the state's an important enough prize for Obama to claim the Democratic nomination in the same arena.

IN FACT....

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa are all considered swing states that could go to any party. And together, they are a powerful Midwest block of electoral votes with 27. That's as many as some of the biggest states in the country.

But that's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

Minnesota's also "in play" because Governor Tim Pawlenty is one of the few Republicans to survive a nationwide political massacre in 2006. And Minnesota hasn't elected a Democrat governor for 20 years.

Here is what you NEED TO KNOW.

Based on polling, Wisconsin and Iowa are considered possible wins for McCain while Obama's got a strong 11-point lead in Minnesota.

However, that could change if Pawlenty is McCain's running mate.

That's Reality Check.

To check the resources for this Reality Check click on the links below.

New York Times: Electoral Map
2008 Republican National Convention
Wikipedia: Electoral College
Pawlenty Fights Off Hatch To Win 2nd Term As Minnesota Governor
Governors Of Minnesota

 

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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