While we all get a warm, fuzzy feeling when looking at the national poll numbers lately, we have even more reason to be more optimistic when looking at the state polls and the electoral college map. Depending on what source you look at, Obama is showing a commanding lead and threatening at least seven states Bush took in 2004. McCain has a chance (albeit a small one) at maybe two Kerry states.

The website, FiveThirtyEight.com, is projecting an electoral victory for Obama by a margin of 333.2 to 204.8 and gives him an 84.4% chance to win. And 270toWin.com gives Obama a less-nuanced 99% chance to win.

All well and good, but check this out: McCain just pulled out of Michigan, which was pretty much his last possible Kerry state. He might still have a shot at New Hampshire and Minnesota, but an average of polls there shows Obama ahead in both states by 4.1 points and 6.8 points, respectively. Obama is threatening Nevada, Colorado (Woo! Happy to help here!), Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and Indiana.

All are close, but think of it this way, assuming Obama holds onto NH and MN, he only has to win one of those 2004 Bush states and he wins the election. 270toWin has enlightening pages on each party's winning combination.

Look at these statistics, mayhaps this race isn't quite as close as the media is making it out to be. To be sure, not a point for us to rest on our laurels. If this election has shown us anything, it's that something could happen tomorrow that will completely change the map.