How big of a margin do we need to win November?

[JaySherman]

My feeling is we need a landslide. Double digit electoral votes or the BFEE will find a way to steal it. It can't be close enough for rigged Diebold voting machines, or another ballot dispute, to decide it. If it is close, I believe we will see another FL somewhere. DU'ers, what do you think?

[OhioStateProgressive]

1. one vote

we need one more vote than Bush in enough states as to win 270 electoral votes

[Florida_Geek]

2. Because of Touchscreen Magic I would say 10% min nt

[JaySherman]

5. Agreed. Also...

Do you think, thanks to Touchscreen Magic, that we won't know the actual margin even if it is that high? Would it going too far in assuming a 10% difference from the official poll #'s, particularly in disputed Repug territories?

[elperromagico]

6. They'll fiddle with swing states.

I would say watch out for the states where the margin of victory is 2% or less. Those are the ones the Republicans will fiddle with.

They'd only try to fix other states if they knew they were losing and became desperate. Or at least I hope that's the case - I really wonder how much they could get away with.

[elperromagico]

3. Three million popular plurality at least; over 300 EVs.

That's what I would be happy with.

[xchrom]

4. good question

we know they are going to try{will steal} and steal -- so however many votes that counts for -- we have to be above what they they can account for.
doesn't have to be huge -- just more than they can sweep under the carpet.

[Dogmudgeon]

7. I think they'll steal it anyway

The only other option that would work would be to fabricate a "failed" (but scary) attack by "terrorists". Which I wouldn't put past them.

They're going to be playing very dirty. The phony photo montage of Kerry with Fonda was a warning shot. Since the Right is already complaining about how the "DemocRATS" are fighting dirty, we can only assume that (under the Iron Law of Conservative Irony) the GOP will become a mud factory as soon as Kerry or Edwards emerges as the Democratic candidate.

--bkl

[Lexingtonian]

8. 3%

And we're going to get it in a 51-48 (~3 to Nader and other thirds).

There will be a few very close states- but we'll have just about enough EVs to not need theirs.

[MurikanDemocrat]

9. We don't need a landslide. A couple percent is enough.

Lord Almighty, I'll have a stroke if I have to sit through another recount. Listening to Repukes wail. Ugh! I'm having a flashback!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. What we need more than a landslide

is more Democrats in the House and Senate. I urge all DUers to work for and support the Democratic candidates for these positions, especially if there's a tight race or a Dem is going against a Rethug incumbent.

[quaker bill]

11. While one vote is enough, the only way we will get it

is to have a margin large enough to overcome electioneering. In Florida the repugs assumed the voter purge combined with usual number of democratic votes lost through punch cards and their aggressive absentee ballot voting campaign would put them over the top regardless.

Unprecedented high turn out by Black voters in Fla made 2000 much closer than anyone was predicting.

We need turn out to be high enough and the margin to be large enough to completely swamp error and manipulation in the process.

[Zynx]

12. Six points would be nice.

[Iverson]

13. 5-4 on the USSC, apparently

People could always carry on as though things are normal too.

[Mairead]

14. I think you've nailed it. It must be huge or it'll be stolen

Which I'd bet money means it'll be stolen, if the current trend continues.

[jsw_81]

15. I'd be happy with 270 electoral votes

But do you know what I'd really like to see? Call me crazy, but I'd like to see Kerry win the electoral vote and lose the popular vote (because of huge Bush majorities in the south). Can you even begin to imagine the weeping and gnashing of teeth among Republicans? Maybe then they would finally understand why we need to ditch the electoral college.