This is what the map will look like in 2012 with the exemption of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan going red in 2012.

The magic number is 35. If Republicans can manage to gain a majority of 35 governorships during this election season they will be able to take back the white house in 2012. According to the current http://realclearpolitics.com map the republican will have a majority of the Governorships before the toss-ups are even put into play. When we take into account the toss up and states that could very well possibly go red, that number jumps to 30-33 governorships. That is still a wide majority, but Republicans are up against the Modern day John Kennedy when it comes to the campaigning game. If the Republicans are able to retain Florida, and gain Maryland and Massachusetts there will be a republican President in 2012. All three of these states play critical roles. The retention of Florida would put a strangle hold on the 3 major battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida( the other 2 which are already projected to go red.) This both widens the pool of potential candidates, but also more importantly adds more feet on the ground that may campaign , know their states,and pull votes from every nook and cranny possible. While Maryland and Massachusetts are not major electoral vote states, they may very well provide much momentum for who ever the candidate may be and it is a very good chance they could go red in 2012 if the trend continues to head the way it is heading currently( Scott Brown anyone?). Thats another electoral votes, not to mention the congressional gains that are often attributed to having a popular governor in a state. One state that is already in the red category is New Jersey and if the trends continue to go the way it goes that state could very much e in play in 2012. Lets all keep in mind that 2012 will be a matter of electoral math, and right now the math is not looking great for Mr. Obama.