There were 12 states in 2004 where neither the Republican nor Democratic candidate was able to get more than 52.5% of the vote. Six of the 12 went for George Bush and 6 went for John Kerry.
The question Democrats need to ask themselves (and should have been asking themselves for the past month) is: Which of our candidates can win these Purple States?
It's not too late for a reality check. Let's take a look ...
Since SurveyUSA did such a great job on Tsunami Tuesday, let's use their polls . They're on record with 5 states:
Ohio - McCain beats both Clinton (-2) and Obama (-7)
Wisconsin - McCain beats both Clinton (-4) and Obama (-2)
Minnesota - McCain beats both Clinton (-4) and Obama (-7)
New Mexico - McCain beats both Clinton (-9) and Obama (-9)
Iowa - McCain beats Clinton (-4), loses to Obama (+17)
McCain steals two states from the Democrats - MN and WI - and the only state he loses is Iowa in a split; losing to Obama, but beating Clinton.
Now, is the challenge ahead a little more clear? We haven't won anything yet. Nothing. Scream for Obama. Cheer for Clinton. Make fun of McCain. When all is said and done, based on these poll results ... RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOSING IN THE ONLY PLACE THAT MATTERS - the Electoral College.
November is still a long ways off, but these 12 states are likely to decide the election. We have to win more of them than we did in the past. Get your ass in gear and quit gloating.