Purple States

I was listening to NPR yesterday (again) and Ethan, who I assumed wasn't listening, suddenly asks:

How do they change red states to blue states?

So I embarked upon a simplified explanation of politics and the presidential campaign.

Who are you going to vote for mom?

I don't know yet. Here's a picture of Barak Obama, and one of John McCain. Who do you think you should be president?

Bakobama.

Why?

Because he has a big smile. With a smile like that, he'd probably be a good president. Isn't that a good idea?

It's probably as good a reason as many people have for voting for a candidate.

I think this should be a red state because my favorite color is red.

Again, as good a reason as any.