Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Are we in the midst of a realignment of the electoral map?

Over the weekend, Doug Kmiec endorsed Barack Obama. Kmiec served in the Justice Department under Presidents Reagan and Bush. As Joseph Kippenburg at No Left Turns notes; Kmiec had previously endorsed Mitt Romney in the Republican Primary. While the endorsement can't be touted as a high-profile one, he was a top level Republican political appointee.

Obama has been conning winning the hearts and minds of voters all across the country; most notably those in traditionally conservative states. While Hillary Clinton often points out that she has won the states that Democrats need to win in November; Obama responds with the argument that he can draw an entirely new electoral map. And Kmiec's endorsement lends credence to that argument.

But Obama is not the only one who has the ability to redraw the electoral map.

John McCain has the potential to turn blue states red. He has received the high profile endorsement from his colleague and friend Joe Lieberman, and the two have been making more public appearances together with the most recent being a trip to Iraq, France, and England.

McCain has a strong appeal in western states where his stance on illegal immigration becomes an asset. Similarly, his anti-establishment maverick streak endears him to voters in places like California and New Hampshire.