Cynthia Said:

In Your Opinion About Future Elections?

We Answered:

Virginia is a largely red state that sometimes goes blue, so I won't be surprised if the Republicans do well there this year, and not really if Obama loses it in 2012. If I had to bet on it today, I'd bet he'll carry it, but it's too early by far to make a serious prediction.

I don't think the Republicans will do as well overall next year as a lot of folks predict. If you look at regional breakdowns in polls, they are becoming a southern party with almost no following elsewhere. It's hard to win elections when voters don't like you.

A poll taken by Research 2000 gives regional breakdowns of favorable/unfavorable ratings for the Republican Party. In the South, it's 48%Fav/37%Unfav. Sounds fine, and probably the Democrats will lose several seats in the South in 2010. But the ratings in the rest of the country are astonishing:

Northeast: 6% Fav/ 87% Unfav
Midwest: 10% Fav/ 78% Unfav
West: 12% Fav/ 75% Unfav