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:
“Power is action; the electoral principle is discussion. No political action is possible when discussion is permanently established.”
—Honoré De Balzac (1799–1850)
“[B]y going to the College [William and Mary] I shall get a more universal Acquaintance, which may hereafter be serviceable to me; and I suppose I can pursue my Studies in the Greek and Latin as well there as here, and likewise learn something of the Mathematics.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war?”
—Bible: Hebrew, 2 Kings 18:20.