CNN: CNN Electoral Map: Obama would win if election held today
From Paul Steinhauser
CNN Deputy Political Director
CNN's new Electoral College Map was released Wednesday.
HEMPSTEAD, New York (CNN) -- If the presidential election were held today, the latest update of the CNN Electoral College Map estimates Democratic candidate Barack Obama would win enough electoral votes to capture the White House.
The new map indicates that Sen. Obama would have 277 electoral votes, with Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate, amassing 174 electoral votes; 87 electoral votes are still up for grabs in several states.
In order to win the presidency, a candidate needs 270 electoral votes.
The new estimate for Obama is a change from CNN's October 7 Electoral College Map, which indicated he would take 264 electoral votes.
Obama picked up 13 electoral votes when Virginia was moved from the category of tossup state to a state that is leaning toward him. That put him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold needed to win the White House.
"Virginia hasn't gone Democratic in 44 years," said Alan Silverleib, CNN senior political researcher. "But a number of polls -- including our own -- now show Obama up double digits there. And, as the map shows, if Obama holds that lead, it may be enough to put him into the White House."
"Conversely, McCain really can't afford to lose Virginia's 13 electoral votes. That state is a key part of the Republican electoral coalition," Silverleib added....
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/15/electoral.change/index.html