2008 Woodie Awards
Indiana is considered a swing state for the 2008 presidential election
Bob Culp
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Obama's words turned some heads. Indiana's traditionally conservative roots haven't classified it as a swing state since Lyndon Johnson won the 11 electoral votes for the Democrats in 1964.
However, during the last four months since Obama's narrow loss in the Indiana primary, the campaign has opened 18 new offices across the state and outspent Republican nominee John McCain in TV airtime.
With the general election less than three months away, the Democratic candidate's campaign is banking on Indiana's geography, economic issues and liberal-leaning cities to come through on election day.
But, the question of which way the state will swing Nov. 4 depends on who is asked.
"It's possible but highly unlikely Indiana will become a swing state," Vice President of Ball State Republicans Lee McIntire said. "I think the Republican Party as a whole is more organized. A lot of people who once supported Obama are starting to lose interest."
An Aug. 21 Rasmussen poll showed McCain up 49 percent to Obama's 43 percent among Indiana voters.
Along with the polling numbers, Obama's choice not to pick popular Indiana Democratic Senator Evan Bayh as his vice presidential nominee may hurt his chances within the state.
Even though he was not chosen, Bayh has come out in support of the Obama-Joe Biden ticket in a statement to the Obama Web site to rally the state's Democratic base.
Senior Matthew Kindig, a volunteer for the Obama Campaign, said issues other than Obama's VP choice will sway voters to Obama this fall.
"Since Indiana is a swing state this year, the state is going to get a lot of attention by the Obama campaign," Kindig said. "A lot of Republicans are looking to vote Democrat for Obama. People liked that we mattered in the primary, and I think they are just tired of the same stuff in Washington."
Bordering Obama's home state of Illinois and the economically torn state of Ohio, Indiana's location plays a large role in its possible political sway in November.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
K-Flo
posted 8/26/08 @ 9:21 AM EST
Indiana will turn blue for Obama! McCain has been missing in action in this state and Hoosiers are taking notice. We need a man from the midwest who knows our needs, we need Obama!
Mc-Who?
posted 8/26/08 @ 9:34 AM EST
No offense but I have not seen anything for McCain in Indiana - at ALL! Mcintire can say people will work for McCain and "not get paid" but they obviously aren't. (Continued…)
jerry
posted 8/26/08 @ 10:36 AM EST
This article is laughable at best. It is going to take a much stronger candidate to turn this state blue.
mikesorg
posted 8/26/08 @ 1:01 PM EST
McCain isn't spending any money on Indiana because he knows This state will end up supporting him.
He hasn't spent any money here and yet he is still up almost 4%. (Continued…)
BSU
posted 8/27/08 @ 12:26 AM EST
Out comes the Kool-Aid drinkers. Indiana going blue in a presidential election? Yeah right. McCain knows he'll win this state easily, which is why he isn't wasting his time campaigning here. (Continued…)
Concerned Student
posted 8/28/08 @ 12:44 AM EST
It is a little bit sad that McCain has forgotten Indiana... I'm not surprised, he can't even remember how many homes he owns!
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