European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 8, 1980, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday september 8, 1980 the stars and stripes Page 5 Washington a _ Republican Ronald Reagan has a solid head Start Over president Carter with two months of campaigning to go but the presidential race appears to be lightening in big Battle ground states that could re elect or oust the democratic administration. An associated press Survey of political leaders and Campaign officials across the nation rated Reagan the Leader in 25 states with a total of 212 electoral votes just 58 Short of the majority that will elect a presi Dent on nov. 4. The Survey favored Carter for 90 Electo ral votes in eight states and the District of Columbia. Independent John b. Anderson was not rated the Leader in any state and Many officials said his Effort is now lagging. Nonetheless his share could be Pivotal in such states As new York and Wisconsin both crucial to Carter. The politicians Call the race Between Reagan and Carter a tossup in 17 Stales with 236 electoral votes and that s where the election will be won or lost. The consensus is that if election Day were at hand now Reagan would capture More than enough of those swing states to win the White House. The political leaders figure him to be leading but with signs of Carter improvement in Texas Michigan new Jer sey South Carolina and Mississippi with 78 electoral votes among them. On the big state roster Reagan is favored in his own California and in his native Illinois Carter rates As the Likely Winner in Massachusetts. But new York wild 41 electoral Voles Pennsylvania Wilh 27 Ohio with 25, and Florida with 17 All arc rated too close to forecast Al this Point. And As the electoral votes line up now Carter would need a Vir Tual sweep of those states to win a second term. Hell also have to hold onto his Southern base a big question Mark against the conservative Reagan. While Carter Lias carved sharply into Reagan s Early margin in National Public opinion polls those surveys Don t necessarily equate with electoral votes which Are Winner Lake All far i in candidate who car Ries a state. Here s the Way that Competition looks now new England Massachusetts 14 electoral Voles democrats outnumber republicans 4-1, and Kennedy support is a big Carter As set. Democrats believe Anderson draws most of his support from gop liberals and probably will not take enough votes from Carter to give Reagan a Victory. Connecticut by. A tossup with recent polls showing Anderson declining. A late August poll indicated a virtual dead beat in a heavily democratic state that went for former president Gerald r. Ford in 1976. Maine 4 Reagan seems in the Lead but political leaders say it is close. Secre tary of state Edmund s. Muskie could be a Carter asset. New Hampshire 4 and Vermont 3 solid for Reagan. Rhode Bland 4 a question Mark de spite overwhelming democratic registration. The Anderson vote could be crucial a pre convention poll showed him second to Reagan. Northeast Middle Atlantic new York 41 a Linchpin of cartels Victory in 1976, now a tossup. Anderson is expected to gain the endorsement of the Liberal party. If this occurs Reagan s prospects will be  27 gov. Dick Thorn Burgh a Republican says the race is close in a classic swing state that was narrowly Carter s four years ago. The key will be Reagan s Success in wooing labor and minority voters. Economic woes Are a serious problem for Carter in Industrial areas. New Jersey it leaders of both Par ties say Reagan leads now but they agree the Lead is shaky. Reagan has solid head Start Over Carter but with months of go race appears of be tightening Maryland so politic a loaders rate Carter As the slight favorite. Delaware 1 the politicians won t guess the outcome now. Reagan in t pop ular Wilh gop leaders but democrats Are disorganized. District of Columbia 3y. Carter is considered a certain Winner. The South and the Border slates Florida 17 Carter s last time a tossup now. Administration handling of the in flux of cuban refugees has irked Many and misgivings about Carter could hold Down the turnout of Black and jewish voters. Reagan still faces scepticism Amon senior citizens worried about his commitment to social Security. Georgia 12 Carter is a comfortable favorite in his Home state although not by the landslide he got in 1976. Virginia 12 the one Southern state Carter could t carry last time seems Likely to stay in the gop column. North Carolina 13 Carter is thought to be the narrow Leader in a stale Republican leaders Call a tossup. The state ticket of gov. Jim Hunt up for re election is a Carter plus. Missouri 12 a Likely Carter state. Democratic chairman Tom Cox says car Ter would win narrowly now. Reagan campaigners Aren t conceding. Louisiana 10 a tossup although some politicians say Carter narrowly leads. Much could depend on the role former gov. Edwin Edwards decides to play. He helped Carter win last time. Tennessee 10 leaning Carter s Way although narrowly. Democratic leaders say it will take a Campaign Bailie to win for the president. Alabama 9 another close state. Rea Gan was Hurt when he described Tuscumbia As the Home of the Kun flux klan. Kentucky 9 Reagan appears to Lead on the strength of conservative support economic trouble in factory towns and the popularity of his anti abortion stand in areas with Large roman Catholic populations. South Carolina 8 a Southern tossup. Democrats say it will be Tough for Carter Republican Harry Dent Calls it kind of Cven Steven right  Mississippi 7y. Reagan apparently leads and Carter could lose without a big turnout of Black voters. Arkansas 6 Carter is regarded As the narrow Leader West Virginia 6 there s no Clear favorite. Industrial Midwest Illinois 26 Reagan leads in a state won by Ford in 1976. Pollsters say Rea Gan runs Well in the Chicago area crucial to democrats. Leaders of both parties say Anderson will Siphon away Carter votes. Ohio 15 a key Battleground and a close contest. Both tickets will invest heavily in Ohio which Carter barely won in 1975. Michigan 21 politicians say Reagan probably would win today but that the margin is so thin As to make the race a tossup. Reagan has the help of Republican gov. William g. Millikan who is persuasive among Many independents and democrats. Indiana 13 Reagan rates a solid Lead. Wisconsin 11 the politicians say Reagan would win today though democrats believe Carter is gaining. The an Derson Factor could hurl too with former gov. Patrick j. Lucey As his Independent running mate. The farm states Minnesota 10 vice president Mon Dale goes Home often to remind voters that he s working "30 seconds from the Oval  though Reagan enjoyed an Early Lead Minnesota seems Likely to stay democratic. Iowa 8 usually Republican in presidential years and probably Reagan s. Inflation High interest and the Grain embargo All Hurt Carter. Kansas 7 and Nebraska 5 Likely Reagan country. South Dakota 4 Straw polls put Rea Gan at 50 percent Carter at about 30 percent in Republican presidential Strong hold. North Dakota ? Reagan is the solid favorite and would be even if the administration did t oppose a big irrigation project the state has been seeking for years. The Southwest Texas 26 the trend is Wilh Reagan but democrats claim they can reverse it. George Bush from Houston helps the Reagan ticket. The democratic turnout particularly among mexican americans could be a key to the outcome. Oklahoma 8 democratic gov. George nigh acknowledges Reagan would win to Day. Arizona 6 Safe Reagan territory. Democratic gov. Bruce Babbitt says car Ter s chances Are  new Mexico 4 most democratic politicians Are pessimistic about beating Rea Gan though gov. Bruce King says Carter will win. The Mountain Stales Colorado of. Reagan looks Strong in a state that was comfortably Republican last election. Administration efforts to trim Western water projects left resent ment and Anderson compounds Carter s problems. Idaho 4x Utah 4 and Montana 4 All look Strong for Reagan. Wyoming 3f gop leaders see a big Reagan win the most optimistic demo cratic assessment is that Carter stands a Chance. The West California 45 Reagan has never lost an election in his Home state. Carter strategists say they will mount a serious Campaign but Reagan is heavily favored. Carter Tost to Ford in 1976. And was Defeated last june in the democratic Pri Mary. Washington 9 Reagan led by a dozen Points in the latest Public opinion poll and the democratic chairman says car Ter s is an underdog  Oregon 6 Carter lost Oregon by fewer than 2,000 Voles in 1976, and it could be close again. Anderson is Likely to Hurt Carter transportation Secretary Neil Goldschmidt former mayor of Portland could help him. Alaska 3 Reagan runs far ahead in polls and administration opposition to alaskan land development makes the stale a Safe Republican bet. Hawaii 4 the one Western state that went for Carter in 1976 is a tossup in 1980. The latest stale poll in Early a gust gave Reagan a narrow Edge but with the 26 percent undecided Block rivalling that for either candidate. Nevada 3 leaders of both parties say Reagan is far ahead. They differ Only on his margin republicans say 30 Points democrats Call it 20. And of time not up to pumpkin rolling role try As be might John Constantine 4, can t Budge an 80-Pound pumpkin at Bis grandpa s farm. The fall reminder is in suburban Albany . Up photo in the stars and stripes. 30 years ago today sept. 8, 1950 president Truman prodded Congress again to vote statehood for Alaska and Hawaii and democratic Leader Scott w. Lucas said the Senate May consider next week statehood Bills already passed by the House. 20 years ago today sept. 8, i960 the government Dis closed that a scientist has discovered an anti Flea dog food which someday May re place the scratch. When mixed Wilh food the anti Flea element per Scales the dog s body. The Flea Dies when it bites the dog. 10 years ago today sept. 8, 1970 the Vatican issued a decree providing a formal Way for Young women who Are not nuns to take a vow of virginity to dedicate themselves entirely to Christ 1 the Vatican called the decree an act of esteem for women whose dignity is sometimes assailed by society dominated As it often is by myths of vulgar