Perhaps you've been to Oregon, the hipster capital of the Pacific rim? The land of Subarus and home to Portland is sometimes seen as a bastion for Democratic and other left-of-center politicians. The state has shifted quite significantly to the left in the last decade, especially as the California exodus continues apace.
So Democrat Barack Obama should be winning by a landslide margin, correct? After all, he won by 16 points in 2008. After his endorsement of gay marriage, he should be surging-- and at least holding the ground he once held.
Instead, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has cut the Obama lead quite significantly. Two months ago, Romney was behind by 11%. That deficit has been cut by nearly 2/3.
According to a new Survey USA poll, Romney is within striking distance.
Obama: 47%
Romney: 43%
Other/dk: 10%
This follows with the trend across the country. Romney is gaining ground as the GOP starts to coalesce around his candidacy.
Please bookmark!
I would remind you, though, that Oregon's liberal reputation is a bit overblown. George W. Bush almost won Oregon in 2000, and voters here banned same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment in 2004.
ReplyDeleteThat said, if Romney really has Oregon in play, Obama's days as POTUS are numbered.