California 55 S
Hawaii 4 S
Oregon 7 S
Washington 11 GS
With the exception of Hawaii, where the large military population has not taken to John Kerry, none of these states are prime contenders for a late night; all will favor Mr. Kerry. California may be closer than many expect--Mr. Kerry's lead in late polls is only seven points--and that will cheer Republicans, who will credit the improvement over Mr. Bush's 12-point loss in 2000 to the improved standing of the state party under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Their consumption of champagne should be limited, however. They failed to run a competitive Senate race against liberal Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer, pointing up the weakness of the GOP bench once it gets beyond former bodybuilders. In the Pacific Coast's only governor's race, in Washington, Republican state Sen. Dino Rossi has a one-point lead in polls over Democratic Attorney General Christine Gregoire. Should he win, Republicans will elect their first governor since 1980 and the first conservative governor since probably the 1920s. Washington also has two competitive House races for seats being vacated by GOP incumbents. Republicans Cathy McMorris and Dave Reichert are favored to fend off their Democratic opponents.
Democratic Sens. Daniel Inoyue (Hawaii), Ron Wyden (Ore.) and Patty Murray (Wash.) should all win easily.
By Democratic Sens. Daniel Inoyue
Hawaii 4 S
Oregon 7 S
Washington 11 GS
With the exception of Hawaii, where the large military population has not taken to John Kerry, none of these states are prime contenders for a late night; all will favor Mr. Kerry. California may be closer than many expect--Mr. Kerry's lead in late polls is only seven points--and that will cheer Republicans, who will credit the improvement over Mr. Bush's 12-point loss in 2000 to the improved standing of the state party under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Their consumption of champagne should be limited, however. They failed to run a competitive Senate race against liberal Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer, pointing up the weakness of the GOP bench once it gets beyond former bodybuilders. In the Pacific Coast's only governor's race, in Washington, Republican state Sen. Dino Rossi has a one-point lead in polls over Democratic Attorney General Christine Gregoire. Should he win, Republicans will elect their first governor since 1980 and the first conservative governor since probably the 1920s. Washington also has two competitive House races for seats being vacated by GOP incumbents. Republicans Cathy McMorris and Dave Reichert are favored to fend off their Democratic opponents.
Democratic Sens. Daniel Inoyue (Hawaii), Ron Wyden (Ore.) and Patty Murray (Wash.) should all win easily.
By Democratic Sens. Daniel Inoyue
