Minnesota in 2004

[Nym90]

I agree with Bandit, and also I'd say that national security is far from being a certain winner for the GOP. With the rate of deaths in Iraq increasing in pace, I wouldn't count it as a definite plus just yet.

[Nym90]

Well, we'll see about Iraq. Maybe a stable democratic government will be formed by then, but at this point I'll believe it when I see it.
Yes, the economy is starting to improve after having been down for 2.5 years. It remains to be seen where it will be next year, but it will most likely still be worse than it was before Bush took office.
Also, the budget deficit will probably be higher than it was when Bush took office.

[Nym90]

True, Illinois is competitive, but it has been more Democratic than the nation as a whole in every presidential election since 1980. In the 1990's, it began to swing even more Democratic. Combine that with the near Democratic lock on statewide elected offices as well and it's easy to see why Illinois would not be described as a swing state anymore. Clearly the Dems are the dominant party in Illinois.