Swing State Project

DavidNYC's SSP provided excellent intelligence on Swing States during the 2004 cycle. Looking ahead, I think we will all be surprised at how SSP blossoms.

Since there are some big changes coming, I asked David if I could run the Senate 2006 ad you now see -- as a placeholder. I wanted to brighten the place up. So, of course I went with the SSP Green. A little part of me thinks it is an ugly color, but I've come to love it.

But putting together the map showing the distribution of 2006 U.S. Senate races was an early shock to my system as to the expanse of the coming battle...and that is just for the senate.

The next two years will be a defining time in American politics. Post-modern politics can no longer be avoided and it is going to have a powerful effect on the mid-term elections. Before that, we'll have a savory selection of opening acts.

I hope we're going to see an expansion of the congressional competition list and the senate situation will force it. Also, the reform of the Democratic Party primary calendar will end the IA/NH monopoly and bring new states to the forefront in choosing a nominee.

This is an exciting time for politics.