The usual political calculus assumes whichever party wins Ohio will win the presidency – but 2012 could prove the exception.
University of Virginia political guru Larry J. Sabato says President Barack Obama may have a path back to the presidency even if he loses in critical swing-state Ohio.
Sabato notes that only twice has Ohio voted for a presidential loser: In 1944, when the winner was incumbent Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and in 1960, when the winner was John F. Kennedy.
On both occasions, Ohio flipped red but the nation went blue.
“So I suppose you could argue that if Obama loses Ohio that he could still win the election,” Sabato told Newsmax.TV in an exclusive interview. “It was very close compared to other states in 2008. But today, Ohio would go Republican. What it will do in 13 months we’ll have to see.”
But Sabato said if the election were held next month rather than in 2012, he would almost certainly lose.
Editor's Note: Watch Larry Sabato's Interview Here