Momentum May Bring Obama, Biden Back to Montana

By Matthew Frank, 10-16-08

Barack Obama’s chief strategist, David Axelrod, said after last night’s presidential debate that Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden, were now considering visits to states such as Montana and North Dakota, once considered beyond reach, the UK’s Guardian reports.

“I think it is fair to say that we are thinking of going into states we were not sure of at all earlier,” said Axelrod. “Some things are opening up for us here that no one fully anticipated.”

Montana and North Dakota combine for only six electoral votes. In Montana, a state George W. Bush won by 20 percentage points, McCain’s lead has been dwindling—double-digits in September now down to five, according to the most recent poll. Obama has campaigned in the state five times, Biden once. (McCain not at all.)

The race is even tighter in North Dakota. A poll released today shows Obama up by three, 44 percent to 41 percent. That’s compared to a September poll that gave McCain a 14 point advantage.

Obama has solid leads in Colorado and New Mexico, and Nevada, too, looks to be tipping his way. That’s a possible 25 electoral votes in the interior West.

Here are some poll trends from Pollster.com: