If you give the impression that you're sure of one state, it's a good way to lose some points (see McCain in VA, NC, FL) and Obama cannot afford it in PA, where McCain is advertising quite big.
And campaigning in PA can be useful for OH, IN and WV as well because of geographical and/or sociological closeness.
Biden campaigns in PA more than Obama. Obama is also campaigning in VA and NC and OH a lot.
1. Obama is outspending him in PA.
2. PA is no even close to IN.
3. WV and OH are about 300 miles from where Obama and Biden are. They are not even close to the same media market (this helps in DE and NJ, but these are solidly for Obama).
McCain is advertising quite big
in comparison with his own resources....
When I wrote "geographical closeness", I wanted to say electoral geography: deep, little-town and rural PA is quite similar to littel-town and rural IN.
But, sure, media markets aren't the same.
Another important explanation is that PA is the FIRST big state McCain has to win if he's able to lead a counter-offensive. So, Obama has only to defend this one.... (and he defends NJ at the same time when he goes to Philly and Philly suburbs)
Michelle Obama is enough for WI.
Obama doesn't even take some time to make one short stop in MN, despite some bad polls 2 or 3 weeks ago.
Michigan, who was the state where you had to be in, is now empty of Dem presidential candidates....
So, sure, Obama is campaigning a lot in PA, but you must see it the other way: he can afford to campaign ONLY in PA and has plenty of time to go to VA, NC, FL, OH, IN, MO, CO, NM, NV.
Hard time for McCain.
What a disappointment, I hoped it would be "electorally and politically thrilling" until the end....
