CQ Politics' Web Picks

New York Times: While McCain Looked Away, Florida Shifted

It is a case study of the troubles of the McCain campaign, the problems of its own making as well as those caused by forces beyond the campaign's control, including a deeply troubled economy that is sharply driving up home foreclosures in many areas of the state. And it provides vivid evidence of the Obama campaign's success in using its money and organizational skills to put Republicans on the defensive in once-safe states.

Slate: With Less Than Two Weeks to Go, Obama is Competitive in Indiana

If Obama wins, maybe he'll look back on Thursday, Oct. 23, in Indianapolis as that moment. It's not just the size of the crowd of 35,000 that was significant--heck, he saw nearly three times as large a gathering in St. Louis last week. What's significant was that even in Indiana, a historically red state, he was tied in the polls with John McCain less than two weeks before Election Day.

Boston Globe: Obama, McCain Target the West

Once reliable Republican territory, much of the West has seen its politics and demographics shift over the last decade. Three states considered still in play to varying degrees -- Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico -- could be vital if the electoral math gets tight.

San Francisco Chronicle: GOP Defections Buffet McCain as End Draws Near

Just as striking as the tone of the GOP endorsements for Obama from figures like Colin Powell and former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson was the noticeable chill coming from the state parties in such McCain must-win states as Virginia and Florida.

McClatchy: McCain Tries to Reignite his Support in Colorado

John McCain tried mightily Friday to reinvigorate his campaign in Colorado, a state he needs to win, barnstorming alongside local football legend John Elway and bashing Barack Obama as a dangerous spread-the-wealth advocate and untested potential commander in chief.

Chicago Tribune: The Two States McCain Needs Most Are Not the GOP Stalwarts They Used to Be

Colorado and Virginia loom as the final barrier between Democrat Barack Obama and the White House, based on the size of his leads in state-by-state polling. Winning either state would likely vault Obama past the requisite 270 electoral votes. To stop him, McCain must either carry both states, neither of which was a top-tier battleground four years ago, or pull a Pennsylvania upset.

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Obama Has the Momentum in Ohio

A new poll suggests the Illinois senator has momentum on his side. With the economic crisis eclipsing all other issues, especially in Ohio, Obama has been able to keep the race focused on pocketbook issues, to his benefit. See also CQ Politics' "Latest State-by-State General Election Match-ups."

Los Angeles Times: Democrats See Karma at Work in Georgia Senate Race

Today, Democrats are reveling in the fact that Saxby Chambliss -- once considered a shoo-in for reelection -- has seen his double-digit advantage in the polls narrowed to as little as 2 percentage points in recent weeks, a situation probably caused by the nation's current economic crisis and a weakened Republican brand.

Boston Globe: Shaheen Takes Commanding Lead in N.H. Senate Race

Shaheen, a former three-term governor, has the support of 49 percent of likely voters polled, compared with 36 percent for Sununu. Only 13 percent were undecided.

Washington Post: Franken becomes Serious Contender in Minnesota

The political climate this year is such that Al Franken -- best known for starring in an "SNL" skit in which his character stares into a mirror and attempts to reassure himself that, doggone it, people like him -- has pulled ahead in his Senate race against Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.