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In California polls show Ike with a considerable (but diminishing) lead. The outcome may depend on how vigorous a campaign Governor Warren puts on for the Republican ticket this week.
In Illinois farmers are expected to go a little more strongly for Eisenhower than they did for Dewey, who lost the state by a narrow margin. Although it is Governor Stevenson's home state, Illinois looks too close to put in either camp.
In Massachusetts much depends on how much Eisenhower can cut into the Boston Irish vote on the softness-to-Communism issue. This state is used to intensive last-minute campaigning and late vote switches. As of last week: an edge for Eisenhower.
In Minnesota Ike had a big lead two months ago. Republicans admit he has been slipping. As of last week he seemed still ahead, still slipping.
In New York registration figures and other indicators give Eisenhower an uneasy edge.
In Virginia Senator Harry Byrd's announcement that he would not support Stevenson has made this state look like a 50-50 proposition, perhaps with an edge to Ike.
All this adds up to a highly doubtful but not necessarily a close election. In state after state, analysts say they expect Stevenson to carry by a narrow margin—or Ike to carry by a substantial margin. Nobody is overconfident. In fact, both sides are genuinely afraid of defeat.