in terms of the presidential election i don't see how barak can beat mccain.
as it always does it will all come down to florida and ohio. barak is weak in both of these places. mccain is a war hero and barak is a young charmer thin on the big issues. couple that with how weak barak was vs clinton in those states and how his wife will hurt his image as a true american.
barak is very very strong with blacks, young urban voters, college kids, and the odd issues candidate. those are all people the republicans didn't have a shot with in the first place. i could see him getting a huge turnout in mass, ca, wisconsin, but losing ohio, florida, and thus the election.