New Jersey

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

No, we're going to keep swinging Dem because the state is becoming less white.  Only 58% non-Hispanic white at this point.  NJ voters vote primarily on the economy, as well.  The GOP moderating on social issues isn't going to do a damn thing because all the suburban Republicans in NJ couldn't care less about social issues, anyway. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Also, Christie's popularity has as much to do with his attitude as anything.  Same time... NJ won't stick by him if the National GOP molds him into something else. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

NJ will remain solidly Dem, barring a realignment of the two parties.  Mind you, said realignment will certainly happen at some point, but it's kind of hard to speculate when and in what manner.

Chris Christie certainly has a good chance of winning the state in 2016, but it should be regarded as akin to Obama winning Indiana in 2008: a fluke dependent on local popularity and a favorable national climate, not as a harbinger of the state turning purple.

Right.  We like Christie DESPITE him being a Republican... not because he is one. 

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

NJ will remain solidly Dem, barring a realignment of the two parties.  Mind you, said realignment will certainly happen at some point, but it's kind of hard to speculate when and in what manner.

Chris Christie certainly has a good chance of winning the state in 2016, but it should be regarded as akin to Obama winning Indiana in 2008: a fluke dependent on local popularity and a favorable national climate, not as a harbinger of the state turning purple.

Wouldn't be ironic if Christie lead the GOP to the Liberal side of politics, the opposite of what Taft did?

I'd probably vote for him if he did!  Right now the Dems are moderate and the GOP is hyper-conservative.  If we can move the GOP to moderate and get the Dems into the realm of TRUE leftism it will be better for all of us down the road.

Imagine!  An America where we are not arguing about evolution!  If a vote for Christie can do that, maybe I can endure a few years of laissez-faire. 

Ha!  I highly doubt this, though.