http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-race26sep26,1,4458779.story?coll=la-home-headlines Down to a Few States, Debates
Bush fights to hold on to a slim advantage over Kerry in the race for 270 electoral votes -- and once again it could all come down to Florida.
By Mark Z. Barabak and Nick Anderson
Times Staff Writers
September 26, 2004
<snip>With five weeks remaining in the presidential contest, the race has narrowed to a struggle over roughly a dozen states, with President Bush holding the advantage in the fight for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.<snip>
For Kerry, a strong (debate) showing could stamp him in voters' minds as a credible alternative to the incumbent at a time when opinion surveys showed continued unease about the overall direction of the country and events in Iraq. That could turn the campaign back into a nip-and-tuck battle.
"The debates are horribly important,'' said Garry South, a Democratic strategist not affiliated with the Kerry campaign. "They could actually be decisive if they turn a certain way."<snip>
Those states, totaling 79 electoral votes, are Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Mexico, West Virginia and New Hampshire. Several other states remain in play, campaign strategists and independent analysts say, even as they have appeared to tilt to either Bush or Kerry. These include Ohio, Michigan, Nevada, Maine and, to a lesser extent, Minnesota, Oregon and Missouri, totaling another 83 electoral votes. Democrats also are keeping an eye on Colorado, with nine electoral votes, as a GOP-leaning state that is closer than expected and could grow more competitive.<smip>
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