2008 Woodie Awards
Election '08
Both candidates still have ground to cover with only 3 months to go
Jay Sowers
Earlier this year Indiana became the center of attention during the 2008 presidential primaries, and it appears the national attention will continue through the election on Nov. 4, Joseph Losco, Ball State University political science department chairman, said. While the state has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1964, most observers believe Indiana will be contested by Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain.
Losco said while the prospects of Obama winning the state were low, the Democrat's campaign would try to make the election a little more difficult for McCain.
"He is running a campaign in every state, not just swing states that might be important in winning the Electoral College," Losco said.
The goal of this 50-state strategy, Losco said, is for Obama to force McCain to use a large amount of his campaign money to defend states that are normally Republican strongholds.
Losco said both candidates faced uphill battles not only in Indiana, but in nearly every state across the nation. Both candidates have strengths they need to highlight and weaknesses they must strive to remedy, he said.
During a recent trip overseas, Obama met with numerous foreign leaders, which Losco said could help him appear stronger on issues of foreign policy, an area in which many doubt Obama's strength.
"Obama needs to bolster his credibility on foreign policy issues, and he cannot afford a misstep," Losco said.
Losco noted that while the conflict in Iraq was still important, other issues must also be addressed by the candidates.
"Recent opinion polls have shown that the public is more concerned with the economy than the war in Iraq," Losco said.
Both campaigns have recognized the necessity for a strong economic policy and have already outlined the policies they hope to bring to the White House in early 2009.
On their campaign Web sites, both candidates outline their plans for aiding the faltering economy.
Losco said while the prospects of Obama winning the state were low, the Democrat's campaign would try to make the election a little more difficult for McCain.
"He is running a campaign in every state, not just swing states that might be important in winning the Electoral College," Losco said.
The goal of this 50-state strategy, Losco said, is for Obama to force McCain to use a large amount of his campaign money to defend states that are normally Republican strongholds.
Losco said both candidates faced uphill battles not only in Indiana, but in nearly every state across the nation. Both candidates have strengths they need to highlight and weaknesses they must strive to remedy, he said.
During a recent trip overseas, Obama met with numerous foreign leaders, which Losco said could help him appear stronger on issues of foreign policy, an area in which many doubt Obama's strength.
"Obama needs to bolster his credibility on foreign policy issues, and he cannot afford a misstep," Losco said.
Losco noted that while the conflict in Iraq was still important, other issues must also be addressed by the candidates.
"Recent opinion polls have shown that the public is more concerned with the economy than the war in Iraq," Losco said.
Both campaigns have recognized the necessity for a strong economic policy and have already outlined the policies they hope to bring to the White House in early 2009.
On their campaign Web sites, both candidates outline their plans for aiding the faltering economy.
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