Center of the Universe: Scranton, PA

With the only 1 1/2 months to go, Scranton, PA appears to be the focus of the election. With PA having 21 electoral votes, this state could decide the election. According to RealClearPolitics, (http://new.yahoo.com/election/2008/dashboard) in a recent polls, Obama has 47% of the vote and McCain has 45.3% of the vote. With number like this, it could go either way.

With Pennsylvania possibly determining the White house, could that have been the deciding variable with the VP ticket? Biden, being from PA clearly has a connection to Scranton. Perhaps thats why he may have been chosen over Hillary. Many voters are still wondering with Hillary's popularity, why she wasn't put on the ticket? This VP candidate will either strengthen possibilities to win this state, or backfire as being disingenuous. 

Then we have Palin, she and her family genuinely represent middle America and the average hard-working family. Could her appeal connect deeper with the Pennsylvanians? In the game of politics, it's not so easy to discern what is genuine passion for public service, and what is strategy. Or, are they not mutually exclusive?

Could McCain's new appeal to the middle/working class strengthen his chances to secure Pennsylvania's votes? Is he able to disconnect from the stereotypes that republicans are only for the rich? It seems as if the repubican party is trying to create a new image these days. Could Obama loose Pennsylvania, due to comments make in San Francisco this past year? The stereotype is that democrats are for the working class; however, is a new stereotypes of "liberal elitist" gaining power?

IS IT ALL ABOUT PERCEPTION?

 It appears that the media may have a great influence on this election by how it may cover these issues. Never-the-less lets not under-estimate the individuals of PA, winning votes comes down to how connected the voters feel to the candidate.