Electoral College Strategy
In elections which are expected to be close, great concern is placed an a running mate's ability to appeal to voters in key states with critical numbers of votes in the Electoral College. In modern times, America is generally split along red state/blue state lines, but these lines are not absolute. Key "blue states" like Pennsylvania and Michigan could be swayed to shift support toward a Republican candidate under the right conditions. Likewise, key Presidential "red states" such as North Carolina and West Virginia may shift allegiances for the right ticket.
A favorite son on the ticket from one of these states could garner enough support to swing it from one column to another.
Read more about this topic: Ticket Balance
Famous quotes containing the words electoral, college and/or strategy:
“Nothing is more unreliable than the populace, nothing more obscure than human intentions, nothing more deceptive than the whole electoral system.”
—Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 B.C.)
“If any proof were needed of the progress of the cause for which I have worked, it is here tonight. The presence on the stage of these college women, and in the audience of all those college girls who will some day be the nation’s greatest strength, will tell their own story to the world.”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)
“Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war?”
—Bible: Hebrew, 2 Kings 18:20.