I Hate What You Just Said

To me, the final numbers hinge on North Carolina and Florida. I think everything else will fall in line according to plan.

I think Florida is in the Obama column. And with North Carolina turning blue, I’d wager that the final count will be Obama 353, McCain 185. If the Tarheel state stays red, however, the numbers shift to Obama 338 and McCain 200. To my mind, these are the two most likely outcomes.

North Carolina is the closest race around; polling there indicates a tie or razor-thin margins for both candidates. But since this is the season of HOPE, I’m going for Carolina Blue. My prediction:

Obama 353, McCain 185

My final map:

And just a side note:

Even if McCain somehow manages to pick up North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, he still loses 270 to 268. Close but no cigar. He’d have to run the table on the mentioned states plus score Nevada to win. Good luck.

UPDATE:

Senate and House:

• 58 Democratic Senate seats
• 42 Republican Senate seats
• 185 Republican House seats
• 250 Democratic House seats