Why is Minnesota even in play?

[LiberadorHugo]

The state hasn't voted GOP since before my dad was born. Why are the polls so close in a BIG Democratic year?

[dascientist]

1. REVERSE Bradley effect (n/m)

...

[MNDemNY]

2. No!, The political climate in MN has been slowly shifting red for the last 16 years.

Social Conservatives have been making inroads as the suburbs of the Twin cities have become more and more affluent.

[FrenchieCat]

3. They always pick a state that Dems are supposed to worry about

last election it was New Jersey.

I think pollsters just like to mess with Dems like that.

[ps1074]

4. I agree

MN and WI are these year's NJ...

[Sodan]

5. hehe... McCain must be scared shitless - so many of "his" states in play :)

[book_worm]

6. Why was Minnesota close in 2000 and 2004? In 1960 JFK barely won the state

You gotta remember too that Minnesota between 1964-1984 had a Minnesotan on the national democratic ticket in 5 out of 6 elections which made the state seem more democratic than it may have been. But rest asured Obama will win MN and he will win it comfortably.

[Zynx]

7. It isn't. The polls are all over the place on Minnesota and it is because they don't

know how to weight parties very well. Most polls have party weights in MN almost even. The Dems actually have an 8-10 point edge. We've got it.

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. The Only Things Keeping It Blue These Years Are The Twin Cities And Duluth

Otherwise, it's no different than the Dakotas. But still, looking at the last election cycle with some suburbs (especially Edina) going blue, we might be in for a pleasant suprise this time around

[iceman66]

9. Most states

would be "red" without any large urban areas, even New York and California.

[izquierdista]

10. They wanna be coy, don'tyaknow?

Gotta make it seem close or people will ignore you, you betcha!