(RALEIGH) -- As America moves closer to November's general election, political watchers like NC State University Political Science Professor Dr. Andy Taylor say the Republican Party may face an uphill battle for the White House. He says all you have to do is look at the states that are solid "red" and solid "blue", then do the math.

"You've got about 220 electoral votes for the President, 180 for the Republican nominee, that gives President Obama about 50 electoral votes short, about 35 short if he wins North Carolina, only needs Florida and Ohio and he's there," said Taylor.

Taylor said this is what makes states like Florida, Virginia and North Carolina so important for the GOP to carry in November.