Yeah it is laughable to think he will win more states, or even the same number, as in 2008.
But despite the weak economy, I still consider him the favorite to win. I don't think it will be as close as Bush's reelection victory in 2004.
He can afford to lose a lot of ground since 08 and still win reelection.
2008 was basically a landslide for democrats. Every state that was conceivably contestable went their way, including some (North Carolina and Indiana) that were completely out of left field. Even missouri only went republican by about 1 percent or less.
You won't really see that again, barring some really ridiculous meltdowns by the Romney campaign. Indiana is off the table, but every other state obama won in 2008 is currently leaning his way, including NC. Obama could lose some pretty big states (VA, NC, FL) and STILL win by a comfortable margin.
It's not impossible for Romney to win, but it's extremely unlikely.
So does this lock Wisconsin to be Romney's? Did he make this pick just to guarantee a win in a swing state? Or is it like the McCain "let's find a woman to counter the black Presidential candidate" with a "let's find a younger guy to counter the younger Presidential candidate?"
1.) No, not at all. Wisconsin isn't a swing state- Obama has consistently been polling ahead there by about 6 or 7 points all year, and Paul Ryan had some pretty heavy unfavorables there earlier in the year. If he had ANY solid cred within the state he would have ran for the open senate seat earlier this year. Picking Ryan is not about putting wisconsin in play. Trying to swing Ohio or Florida via portman or rubio makes a lot more sense if that was the goal.
2.) Picking Ryan is about energizing conservatives who were losing patience with the Romney campaign, as well as trying to change the narrative to
anything else besides mitt's tax returns and disastrous foreign policy tour. unfortunately doing this means abandoning the "jobs and economy" narrative and making the debate about ludicrous and irresponsible debt reduction strategies, which will not go over well with seniors and independents.