MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota has historically been a place a Democratic presidential nominee could count on.

Through presidential landslides and squeakers, the party’s nominee has won the state in every presidential election since 1976.

The Democratic streak is unmatched anywhere in the country. Richard Nixon was the last Republican to win in Minnesota. That was in 1972.

President Obama would seem to have Minnesota’s 10 electoral votes tucked away. But a recent statewide poll by the Star Tribune showed the Democrat’s lead over Republican Mitt Romney had dwindled to within the margin of error, prompting a last-minute flurry of activity.

Former President Bill Clinton stumped for Obama in St. Cloud, while Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan rallied at the Minneapolis airport.

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