Time to face facts, the GOP is NOT a national party

[Bureaucat]

While it is clear that the GOP is struggling, it is not fair to say that they haven't competed on the West Coast or in the Northeast. They are obviously second-tier parties in both regions, but have competed in Oregon out west and have been elected state-wide in New Hampshire and Massachusetts out east.

Fair enough, if you are talking about electing Governors and Congressmen, but with regards to Presidential elections it is a fair statement that with rare exceptions (Alaska and 1 win in the last 6 tries in New Hampshire), the GOP has not been competitive in the Northeast and the Pacific coast for over 20 years.

[Bureaucat]

It's a little disingenuous to say that there are 12 states "up for grabs". They are considered "competitive" because the margins of victory have been under 10 points, but in the 72 state elections in those 12 states in the last 6 presidential elections, the Dems have won 50 for a winning percentage of nearly seventy percent (69.44% to be precise).  So until some of those states with narrow but persistent Democratic margins shift Red, the Democrats have a considerable advantage in the electoral college.

[Bureaucat]

Time will tell.  I just thought saying all 12 states were up for grabs was misleading.  Within reach, certainly, but they're not all toss-ups.  I wouldn't consider North Carolina a toss-up either.  It's a Republican lean whereas most of the rest are Dem leans.

And by the way, I don't agree with the premise of this thread.  The GOP is most certainly a national party, although I think it's too tied to its Southern base for its own good in Presidential elections.