Obama pulling away in electoral math

A combination of factors appears to be contributing a widening gap in the electoral math. McCain's decision to suspend his campaign and return to Washing appears to have had a negative effect on his campaign, especially after announced that he would debate after all even though no deal had been reached. The economic disasters have also highlighted Obama's strengths and McCain's weaknesses on this issue.

And then there's Sarah. The veep pick has bombed in her latest round of interviews with CBS' Katie Couric, stumbling around talking points and generally appearing unpresidential. The media has hit Palin especially hard after her most recent performances. Fareeh Zakaria said someone should put Palin "out of her agony," and even conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks labeled her "embarrassing."

The result? Obama has opened up large leads in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, and has pulled even in former Republican-leaners Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia. This original map demonstrates Obama's gains.