Early Indiana turnout heavy in strong Obama counties

INDIANAPOLIS — Early voting in Indiana could offer some encouragement to presidential hopeful Barack Obama, who needs a victory in its upcoming primary after a tough few weeks on the campaign trail.

Obama victories in the Indiana and North Carolina primaries on May 6 could help him regain momentum in his nomination fight against Hillary Rodham Clinton. Obama has been on the defensive because of comments by his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and his own comments about people in small towns growing bitter.

About 20 percent of the 127,000-plus absentee ballots received as of early Friday were cast in three Indiana counties _ Marion, Monroe and Lake _ that political observers believe Obama is strongly favored to win.

Lake County has a large population of black voters and is in Chicago's shadow. Obama has typically won big among college-age voters, and Monroe County is the home of Indiana University in Bloomington. Obama's campaign sought out IU students with voter registration and early voting drives and a free Dave Matthews concert.

Robert Dion, a professor of American politics at the University of Evansville, said Obama has mounted an innovative campaign that's stressed early voting and his supporters appear more energized than those for Clinton.

"In a close race, modest advantages in organization can yield big results, and if Obama out-organizes the Clinton campaign on these absentee ballots, it would be a great boost to him," Dion said.

Three other Indiana counties _ St. Joseph, Vanderburgh and Vigo counties _ have amassed more than 20,000 early ballots between them, about 16 percent of the total absentees cast statewide.

Vigo County, which includes Terre Haute, is expected to go for Clinton because of its demographics and connections to popular Sen. Evan Bayh, who has campaigned aggressively with the former first lady.

Political analyst Robert Schmuhl said he senses that Clinton has the advantage heading into Tuesday's primary.

"I think any objective observer would say Senator Clinton has the momentum going into the last few days. In previous primaries she's done well during the final days as the undecided voters have made up their minds," the Notre Dame professor said.

Whatever Tuesday's final vote, Dion said Obama and Clinton are expected to basically split the state's 72 delegates.

"They're fighting over bragging rights," Dion said. "If he wins Indiana as well as North Carolina, which we expect him to win, he can say, 'I won both states.' And that's going to knock the wind out of Hillary Clinton."

Comments

[CTmom13]

PART 2
In a campaign ad (see below), Hillary Clinton decries the idea that American defense parts are being made in China and blames it on the Bush Administration. She repeated this during her visit to Valpariso, the former home of Magnequench.

But, just as with so many things emanating from the Clinton campaign, this one is not totally true and conveys a false impression.

It was during the Bill Clinton Administration (1995) that the sale of Magnequench to the Chinese was approved (via their surrogates Archibald Cox and the Sextant Group). As the Indianapolis Star reported, the Clinton Admin could have blocked the sale since " Congress gave the president authority to block foreign acquisitions that could threaten national security". That law was available to the Clinton Administration.

[speakingtruth2power]

Populism may not be where the USA needs to end up

but it surely will correct the rush towards corporatism.

[CTmom13]

From the Merrillville, Indiana, Post-Tribune:

PART 1
April 11, 2008

Clinton, Magnequench and China

By Andy Grimm Post-Tribune staff writer


U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton on Saturday will discuss the future of defense industry jobs with former employees of Magnequench at a town-hall meeting at Washington Township High School, just east of Valparaiso­...
The high school is not far from the former Magnequench plant in Valparaiso, which manufactured magnets used in the guidance systems for "smart bombs" until it closed five years ago. The parent company moved its manufacturing operations to China.

In a conference call with reporters from Northwest Indiana, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, a Clinton supporter and possible vice presidential running mate, said Magnequench's move cost the region 225 manufacturing jobs that provided better-than-average wages and benefits.

"It's not very smart to align America's defense on the goodwill of the Chinese, and yet that's exactly what happened," he said.

[jeen]

Hillary's Republican roots are showing. She needs a better hair dresser. Now its McCain-Clinton vs. Obama.

[Gabrielle]

AND NO MORE" EVERY COLOUR IN THE RAINBOW" PANTSUITS.­...
BADLY CUT... MAKE HER LOOK HEAVIER...­.NEEDS BETTER STYLISTS ALL TOGETHER..­..

[jasonmills]

Democrat '08

[Lycaos]

Out of the three choices, only one is a Democrat (Obama). I can't tell the difference between McCain and Hillary any more. Both were for Bush's war, both want to attack Iran (with Hillary willing to entirely wipe Iran and its culture off the map completely), and both are for short-term gimmicks such as this silly gas holiday. So I agree. Democrat '08. Go Obama.

[HellenaHandbasket]

Yes, but if Hillary becomes the Democratic nominee, for whom will you vote?

[uglybetty]

I must say to you ...It's hard to believe Obama is even an American ,let alone Dem !

[Pupster]

OBAMA SUPPORTERS:

Use this weekend to help the campaign call Indiana and NC voters in support of Obama. An hour each on Saturday and Sunday could do a lot to get out the vote or persuade some undecideds. And since it's the weekend, using your cell phones should be free.

Many oldsters and working class voters don't have as much access to computers and the internet, so the best way to reach such voters is by phone. Tell them why you are supporting Barack and maybe we can sway a few undecideds.

Come'on. If each of us called 20 people in each state, it could do a lot to increase support for our guy Obama. As we both know, these two states could be decisive. We can't take either of them for granted. Contributing money is great, but volunteering is even better. Check the Obama website and then ...

GET ON THE PHONES!!

[Nancyann]

We are doing exactly that. Can't let that iiar and fraud Hillary get any where near the White House. She has polluted hr enire family and would pollute the entire country !!!!

[emmav70]

To all Hillary supporters :

If I were you I would be contacting country's top astronomers and cosmologists to find out if there is possible meteor heading our way and what is the possibility it hitting Barack.

Because this is the only way she can get the nomination.

All your -- big states-- undemocratic caucuses - - Obama can not get blue collar votes -- popular vote -- Rev. Wright -- etc BS is not working with the SD's.

Oh , and one more thing :

Even if he loses IN and wins NC by 0,5% you'll still need that meteor !

[PAposter]

Report illegal or harassing campaign tactics to the Federal Election Commission's Office Information Division, toll free at 800-424-9530 or by e-mail at fec.govc.gov. Keep in mind that you are dealing with a Federal Agency, and any false claims will be taken very seriously.

[uglybetty]

Oh goody...do­es that apply to all the Obama campaign tactics on Huffpo as well ???

I'm on the phone right now !

[LaFeminazi]

Kucinich couldn't convince more than 3% of so called liberals and Democrats.

That shows me where the interest lies.

McDonald's approved Candidates.

Go Greens

Go Cynthia!.

[HellenaHandbasket]

It is a shame, isn't it? Mr. Kucinich was clearly the candidate for whom most of the people who post here had the most affinity. Yet he only garnered that small percentage of the vote.

Why?

I believe it's because they felt he would never win the nomination. It became a self-fulfilling prophesy. The same people continually lament the fact that they are never given a real choice in such matters, when they actually have been given one, and they chose to play the "game" instead.

[LaFeminazi]

Yes, absolutely correct.

I voted for Kucinich in VT.

[BitterInPA]

The "fringe" candidates never have a chance. The amount of questions they receive and where they are positioned on the stage is meant to send a signal that their ideas do not matter. We should have a debate system that is run by independent organizations, not corporate media outlets. They have there own interests and they are not the same as the rest of us.

How about a League of Women Voters, just like in the old days before lobbyist took over the process. http://www.lwv.org/

The CPD has not allowed us to have a REAL debate since 1988.

[robbor]

hey, what's the reason the comment section is absent from the report on the suicide of the dc madame?
i've emailed huff but seems no one is home

[LaFeminazi]

Oh, raise or spiritquest must be coming up with

A black helicopter conspiracy theory.

Have patience.

[shockmagog]

Beats me. Nobody knows the rhyme or reason around here. All I know is the article goes unread if comments are not allowed.

[LaFeminazi]

Is it just me or

Obama

Lookinhg more and more like a deer in headlights.

[Meah]

It's just you, femi.
I think he is sick of this garbage, though.

[LaFeminazi]

He wanted it he got it, he is about as liberal as Hillary ie not at all.

[TheAdviceWeAllNeed]

It's just you

[LaFeminazi]

Oh goody I enjoy being different.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

It's you. ;)

[AdLib]

I think you're misinterpreting, that seems more to be a look of "Two more weeks of having to take this slime from hillary, Bill, McCain and the MSM before even those most in denial see it's over for Hillary...­two more long weeks of this, oh well, whatcha gonna do?"

[JavaCityGal]

It's just you -- wishful thinking maybe.

[oneeyedodin]

McCain is at least honest about the American Furrin Policy of perpetual war.

Obama and Clinton wanna call it something else .

The person submitting the winning name will get a free ride to Baghdad

[LaFeminazi]

Obama or Hillary = The McDonalds of the left.

Want the real meat?

Go Cynthia.

[MNmommy]

Hooray! Reinforcements from the sensible/logical contingent!

[JavaCityGal]

Who is Cynthia -- yeah that person will get elected {rolling eyes}

[going2ireland]

You seem to be seriously constipated. A good laxative will cure what ails you.

[KarenKaren]

Well, this is how one voter sees the election. Come November, I tend to think my vote will be cast for Obama. If it's Clinton or McCain, I'd lean Clinton. I am not totally ruling out a vote for McCain, however.

Oh, and after studying the health care proposals, I've finally realized what Clinton's comes down to: The middle class under-insured and uninsured who are usually self-employed or independent contractors. This group would have to purchase full coverage health insurance and would not qualify for a subsidy. The Clinton model doesn't affect those who are insured through their job or qualify for medicaid due to being low income. Even though I respect Elizabeth Edwards' efforts, I can't help seeing the unfair burden a mandate would place on the middle class.

These are only my views, the way I am digesting my choices, and are not meant to demean any candidate. They've all done some good for the country, and on some level I have respect and admiration for all three.

[HellenaHandbasket]

Karen, PLEASE rule out a vote for McCain.

Also, remember that many salaried workers' weekly hours have been cut to less than 40 for the singular reason that their employers won't have to cover their health care. This makes them "independent contractors" in the eyes of the law. They can't afford private, individual health plans without that "subsidy". This demographic constitutes the vast majority of the American workforce.

For all intents and purposes, there is no "middle class" in our country anymore. A vote for McCain would ostensibly eliminate any vestiges that are left.

[KarenKaren]

You must have missed my point that the middle class working voters both you and I refer to WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSIDIES under the mandate proposal! (Excuse the caps).

That's the problem. Pro mandate people are making it seem like these specific middle class American earners (self-employed and independent contractors) are what's driving health care costs up. This is simply not true. They are not the ones using emergency rooms for free doctor's visits. They pay as they go and/or often have high deductible policies for emergencies. There's even a whole market of third party discounters that guarantee group rates for health services that these specific earners pay cash for. They may be middle class, but still can't afford full coverage insurance.

I'm not so sure McCain would eliminate the middle class. I'm a bleeding heart liberal in some regards, but I know our country's strength lies in the middle class, and that comprises the self-employed and independent contractors in large measure. At least McCain is willing to beef up state funds for those who seek insurance but have pre-existing conditions, which usually makes the cost prohibitive.

I'm not leaning McCain, but I'm not ruling him out. My preference is the Democrat, especially one that can keep Colorado, Iowa, and New Mexico in the new electoral map.

[oneeyedodin]

To hell with Obama!

More war! More war! More war!

Winston Smith.

[jafahr]

hahaha!