NBC's flawed electoral map

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

For the record, here's the map:

[Likely Voter]

after watching Chuck Todd's show this morning and on Hardball, there is context. He says that Obama's internal polls show that IA "after 6 months of republicans hammering him" has shown weakness, relative to other states. He listed as one of the big things he has learned in the week. So maybe there is something to this beyond one poll.

[anvi]

I think Todd either consults with or takes a lot from Charlie Cook too, and Cook has often said he bases his maps on state-by-state presidential job approval ratings and not head-to-head polls, especially this early in an election year.  Cook claims that state-by-state job approvals are better indicators than head-to-heads at this stage of the game.

[Eraserhead]

The map is a joke. MSM is in the business of making a race out of this thing even if there isn't one. Sorry, but Obama is well ahead (for now at least). MSM wants to pretend every year will be like 2000/2004.

[Cory]

New Jersey "lean" Dem? What? Penselvenia "toss up"? What are these people smoking, and how much does it cost? I was actually watching MSNBC earlier and noticed when they put their map up it had Iowa as "safe" GOP. I was stunned.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

It needs to be reiterated: The entire campaign will not take place in an environment in which Iowa and New Hampshire have until recently been the playground of the Republican candidates for half a year.