Forget global tours and best global warming policy. The real race this fall is the ‘chatzky’ race – which candidate has and sells the best ‘stuff’ on their website. In that key race Team Obama has a 5:1 merchandising lead. His well organised field staff knows how to blanket and flog every area to raise much needed dosh for telly adverts during the grand finale. Having fought Hillary Clinton in 50 states and seven other territorial caucuses and primaries he has feet on the ground, organised and already engaged in door-to-door canvassing (combat) in every state.

Yes, the polls look good in several key western, Midwestern and southern swing states and Obama has launched a campaign that focuses on 18-key states including some which supported George W. Bush and his Dad by margins of 25 points in the past where Obama leads by as many as 16 points already. Even if he fails to win them all, he forces John McCain to defend solid turf, including his own home state and neighbouring New Mexico where McCain is trailing team Obama.

But the website merchandise battle is going hands-down to Obama. Go to McCain’s site and you find traditional Republican campaign stuff like golf shirts, pens and belt buckles all grossly overpriced. Go to Obama’s and you find designer hood ornaments, jewellery, night lights and even a Nike sneaker emblazoned with his image and… competitive pricing. Even the big ticket items are presented in was that makes you think, well I was going to give a contribution anyways, I might as well get something cool for it…

Team Obama is a well-oiled money making machine. They’ve already broken fund raising records and out-hustled Hillary Clinton door-to-door, now they plan to do the same in the fall to John McCain.

That will help in the big 18 below where they think they have a chance to win key electoral votes in the fall:
Alaska:  Bush won by 25 points in 2004
Colorado:  Obama ahead by 16 percentage points Bush won by 15%
Florida:  McCain is only up by 4%
Georgia
Indiana:  Bush won by 22 points in ‘04
Iowa:
Michigan:
Missouri:  Obama ahead by 16% based on economy woes
Montana
Nevada
North Carolina: Obama leading by 5%
North Dakota: Bush won by 27 points in ‘04
New Mexico: Obama leading by 16%
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New Hampshire
Virginia:  Obama leading by 5%, Bush won by 20 points
Wisconsin

The big news in these key states is that conservative Republican running as 3rd party libertarian Bob Barr pulls 9% of the vote in New Mexico, 8 in Nevada. Many think he will be the Republican Ralph Nader this year.

But he has no cool stuff on his website.