Obama didn't need VA, OH or FL

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

He'd have gotten 272 EVs without those three states. No nail biters outside those three -- he won them all by at least four points (NH and CO were the closest besides "Flohva&quot .

That fact alone dramatically reinforces the (derided-by-right-wingers) notion that this was a walloping.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. The fact that a Western Pathway to 270 is starting to look solid is great.

NM NV and CO, with IA and NH. It means it's not actually essential to win VA, FL or OH, but to be competitive in any or all of those is a huge bonus, especially with what looks like NC's new status as a true swing state.

Not as easy to get screwed out of an election by one corrupt SoS in FL or OH.

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

5. growing ...

Even better is that the Western states you name are all still outpacing the national average in population growth. What has hampered Democrats for the past four decades is the drop in EV strength in traditionally Blue areas like NY, PA and MI ... suddenly Blue is competitive in states that are expanding their population relative to the nation at large. Add the fact that the Left Coast is now virtually out of reach for the Reds and it's virtually inconceivable the GOP will ever win again.

[Proud liberal 80]

2. Yep I noticed the same thing

when Romney was not ready to concede Ohio. I was like it does not matter.

[mzteaze]

4. Me too

I kept talking to my tv.....stall all you want Robme but CO and NV were called for Obama. Recounting OH was not necessary. You lost plain and simple.

[LisaL]

9. He wouldn't have conceded if this was up to OH.

It still has a huge number of provisional ballots they won't even start counting until Nov 17.

[geek tragedy]

3. Thank goodness too--Ohio has hundreds of thousands of ballots out and Florida may do a recount.

Romney would not have conceded last night but for CO and VA.

[nenagh]

6. It wasn't until I read your post about Pres Obama winning without Florida or Ohio...

A litigation free win... all those voters and everyone who endured standing in long lines to vote.

[LisaL]

10. What is FL cooking over there?

Everybody reported, but they still counting something?

[nixonwasbetterthanW]

7. VA no longer competitive?

It's a stretch, I realize, but I think Virginia may be approaching out-of-reach stage for the Red team. NoVa continues to grow, and especially in the inner suburbs, the intensity of Blue is nearing that of the MD suburbs as well as DC itself. In a fight-the-previous-war strategy, I can see the GOP dumping hundreds of millions in the Old Dominion again and coming up short. You can't win if you try to battle demographics.

Remember that CA went from Red to Blue in one election cycle (1988 to 1992). It's not inconceivable that VA is moving that way.

The Blue is dripping southward down the map from the Northeast and sticking. Next stop, NC.

On the other hand, the non-Atlantic Deep South, Appalachia and the lower Midwest (LA, MS, AL, TN, KY, WV, AR, MO) seem determined to paint themselves Red forever.

[LisaL]

8. Good. Because FL is still counting, and OH has a whole bunch of provisional ballots.

No way would Mitt concede if it was up to OH only.