(CNN)—Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan launched a three week “Victory 2008 Tour” Wednesday, aimed at catalyzing grassroots efforts for Republican candidates across the map by targeting key fall battleground states for the Presidential and Senate races.

The tour will travel to key states,’ including Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina, where Duncan will meet with local GOP leaders to discuss the Republican strategy and work on increasing the party’s voter registration.

“I am excited to meet with the grassroots activists, state leaders, and enthusiastic volunteers who are devoting their time and energy to elect John McCain and Republicans nationwide this November,” Duncan said. “These are the individuals who will ensure Republican success on Election Day by carrying out our strategy and message surrounding John McCain’s positive vision for the future of our nation.”

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean embarked on his own cross-country tour last week to encourage voters to unite around Democratic candidates and presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

According to the latest CNN electoral map findings, Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire and Florida are currently a toss up between John McCain and Barack Obama, with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania leaning Democratic. McCain is favored in North Carolina. Ohio, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and North Carolina are also proving to be battleground states on the Congressional level as well.

At a Democratic National Committee press briefing Wednesday, York Senator Chuck Schumer identified the race in North Carolina between sitting Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole and state Senator Kay Hagan as “close” if not “even,” claiming more states are moving in the Democratic direction across the map.

“It’s a real advantage to have Obama on the ticket,” Schumer said in terms of the Senate races because he has been a “big help in the deep south,” including Mississippi and North Carolina.

soundoff(66 Responses)

Pick Me! Pick Me!

I'm a democrat but voting for McCain this November, AT LEAST with McCain I know what I am getting into.

I find NOBAMA arrogant, prancing in Europe at MY EXPENSE, UNDERMINING foreign policy of the current administration. The action of NOBAMA is DOWNRIGHT BETRAYAL OF US POLICY! HE'S NOT A PRESIDENT YET! AND HE'LL NEVER BE PRESIDENT!
_______________________________________

ahhh, no you're not, you are a sheep in a donkey suit.

July 24, 2008 11:18 am at 11:18 am |

Jewel Hester

Why can’t ordinary Americans see what the Republican Party has done to this country in the last eight years? I think going after John McCain is small minded. We should go after the Republican Party as a whole and show the American people what they represent and what they have done in our name. We should have a national strategy in place now defining the differences between both parties and genially reaching out to there base. This next election is not about white or black or even blue state or red but should be about hope and prosperity for our children and the average American family. Just pointing fingers at each other is getting tired and old. We all as Americans share almost the same fate in the prosperity of our country that we love so dearly. This is the greatest country on the face of this earth and what we do now as a unified nation will be a testament to future generations of Americans not yet born. Let’s make the praise “We the People” mean something again.

Jewel Hester

July 24, 2008 11:24 am at 11:24 am |

Les-Wa response

Les-Wa wrote:

"I'm a democrat but voting for McCain this November, AT LEAST with McCain I know what I am getting into."

What are you getting? A health (don't) care plan and making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Stop bashing Obama and give me a sound political reason for why you are voting for John McCain. You "true (disgruntle) democrats" kill me. McCain makes fun of Hillary and Universal Health Care, he votes against women's issues every chance he gets. So now you are for big business and the oil companies? It is astounding how many people will flush their democratic principles down the toilet to prove a point.

July 24, 2008 11:25 am at 11:25 am |

mary

At this point, a "Victory Tour' is entirely overstepping and will look it.

July 24, 2008 11:28 am at 11:28 am |

Connie

To Les-Wa, good for you voting your heart. I am sure the Democrat party will not miss you or Senator Lieberman.You say with McSenile you know what you are getting you are right on, looking at the lasts 7 and 1/2 years of Bush is what you are getting. As for Obama looking arrogant you must have forgotten what a true president looks like ,also his supporters are paying for his trip to Europe, not you .But you could donate to Obama or Hillary by going to his web site. OBAMA 08

Connie from Indiana

July 24, 2008 11:32 am at 11:32 am |

William, from Cali!

You will have an "up-hill" battle,at best; the "writings on the wall"; says that the democRATS, are "in favor".....................

July 24, 2008 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

ANGIE

Dont bother coming to pa i live in pa we are so done with republicans here pa turning blue this year and you can bet your millons on that rnc pa is obamas state!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 24, 2008 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

MBFLA

McCain = Recycled Bush

We can do better. Vote for the intelligent guy, drink a beer with your buddies!

Obama '08

July 24, 2008 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

ali

they shouldnt be targeting anyone.its not polite to point weapons at people,when you want their votes.we know what happens when they targeted al qaeda.rnc targeted osama,but,decided it would be easier to target saddam hussein,and the iraqis,cuz they were easier to find,and they had lots of oil.bin laden has lots of cash ,and several goats,but,no oil.

July 24, 2008 11:49 am at 11:49 am |

Henry n New York

McCain has confused Shia and Sunni; he has moved Iraq's border next to Pakistan; he argues a tactical right (the surge) judgment against an overall mid-east plan (Iraq is the wrong war, wrong country, wrong enemy) and wrong on our future position regarding Iraq. The Iraq government wants U.S. troop withdrawal, Senator Obama has called for that withdrawal for years, Afghanistan is becoming an increasingly dangerous project and Bin Laden has not been captured or killed. Obama's plans would save our soldiers and bring most of them home, it would go after a leader responsible for the death of thousands. McCain wants to stay in Iraq even against their wishes, he now wants to send the same number of troops to Afghanistan almost a year after Obama first called for more troops there. He voted against the current GI bill and yet the polls say over 40 percent of Americans still would vote for him. Hillary supporters say they are voting for McCain even though he doesn't believe a women has a right to control her own body and he wants to make abortions illegal. This is clearly the wrong vision of government that we need and I sincerely hope the "battleground" states will comprehend the facts, wieght the positions and understand exactly what is at risks.

July 24, 2008 12:05 pm at 12:05 pm |

BUSHED!!!!!

Mike Duncan is touring key states....Looking LIKE BIG BIRD!!!!

NOT THIS TIME BUDDY!!!

Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!
Just SAY NO!!

July 24, 2008 12:08 pm at 12:08 pm |

Deb, Allentown, PA

Barrack Obama July 24th, 2008 10:50 am ET

Hello I am Barrack Obama and the true is I will lose this election because I am a Fake, Flip Flop, and hate the American Values. So vote for John McCain!!!

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Hey Barrack Obama, you're apparently also an idiot. If you're going to pretend to be someone else in order to make stupid comments, at least spell that person's name right!

The Republicans are currently debating over a speculation bill and saying speculation and manipulation have nothing to do with high prices. Oh really? Breaking news, these speculators are beginning to get caught and charged for market manipulation. But the Republicans in the Senate continue to say it's not happening. Now if that's not ignorance or blatant lies I don't know what is.

July 24, 2008 12:17 pm at 12:17 pm |

Jill American

All of you young Obama supports better sign up to work at the polls on Election Day. That is if you can pry your fingers off your keyboards. Many states now have electronic voting machines and the usual poll workers (retirees) can't handle it if they breakdown. Anything that holds up the line, whether on purpose or not, will only help McCain just like it did for Bush.

July 24, 2008 12:20 pm at 12:20 pm |

Carol, Lansing Michigan

Except for a couple of small pockets of those who haven't taken the time to truly know you McCain,

WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE IN MICHIGAN!

The self respecting women here wouldn't ever vote for you.

July 24, 2008 12:23 pm at 12:23 pm |

Desmond Sequeira

Secret Mr. McCain plans to share with allies: Let's all vote for OBAMA. It is the only thing that makes sense.