1. It seems as if Montana & North Dakota are now classified as tossup states. Since both of these states border Canada, they would be able to maintain the contiguous nature of the US of C map should the Democrat carry both of these states.

2. The states along the Mason-Dixon line (Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Indiana) that Bush carried in 2024 are now leaning towards Obama, as is Iowa & Nevada. All of these states would also qualify, because they touch states that Kerry won in 2024.

3. In keeping with this trend, if Obama can carry North Carolina, then that state would also be admitted because it touches Virginia, which qualifies under the criteria above.

4. Colorado & New Mexico (which are leaning Democrat) present a different set of circumstances, because Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, and Arizona prevent these two states touching any of the Kerry states. Kansas, which Obama trails by about 12 points, would be the best hope & that’s not likely to happen. However, since New Mexico borders with Mexico, and Colorado borders New Mexico, we can propose a special secession for this part of the Jesusland map. As such, I now declare independence of the United States of Mexico (or perhaps include Canada & create the US of North America).

5. And now, we have the special problem of my home state of Florida (what else is new?) Florida is leaning Obama, but unfortunately it is not touching any of the Kerry states. If Florida were to go Democrat, its only hope for admission would be for Georgia to also go Democrat, and then hope for North Carolina (see #3 above). Of course, under this scenario, South Carolina would be buried & the contiguous nature of Jesusland would be broken (this could also happen with New Hampshire, which is within striking distance for McCain, but would be stymied from US of C admission were that to happen. However, being a Kerry state, I’m not sure that New Hampshire would be welcome in Jesusland either).

So, if you’re a Florida voter like me who plans to vote for Obama but wish to preserve the integrity of the map, what do you do? Do you vote Democrat, hope that Obama wins the election but loses your own state? I never thought that geography would be an issue with voters, but this is something that I’d like your opinion on.