Austin Cope, a student at Oberlin College in northern Ohio, is writing a research paper "that predicts the election result and determinants in a specific state." He writes to Huckleberries Online: "I'm trying to get perspectives from people in Idaho about what factors will determine Idaho's electoral vote. I thought that as a journalist covering the election in Idaho, you would be a great person to help." Here's the questions Austin asks:

• Do you think the margin of victory for Romney (I'm assuming Romney will win-- it would be crazy if he didn't) will be bigger in Idaho this year than the margin for McCain? Why?
• What do you think will be the bigger draw to the polls for Idaho voters: the question over Propositions 1, 2, and 3, or the presidential election?
• Do Idaho voters generally vote because of specific issues, or because of party loyalty? What might some specific issues be that Idaho voters feel strongly about?

DFO: Feel free to weigh in. I'll send your responses to him, as well as my own.