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'Change' Falls Flat With Hoosiers

Voters clinging to 'traditional values' could require Democrats to tweak approach

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 24, 2008 2:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Despite the ubiquitous use of “change” as a rallying cry in the Democratic primaries, the New York Times notes, the candidates might want to reconsider using it ahead of Indiana's May 6 primary. Although they’re dissatisfied with the economic toll taken by the decline in manufacturing, voters generally expressed “queasiness” in response to both candidates' use of the mantra.

“We are manufacturing workers, farmers, beer drinkers, gun owners, pickup drivers,” summed up a volunteer at a Clinton field office. Still, the state remains unpredictable—it is a bit of a demographic “quilt,” with the northwest practically a Chicago suburb and the south like an extension of Kentucky. And Indiana's primary, unlike Pennsylvania's, is open to independents and Republicans, adding to uncertainty.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., puts his hand over his heart during the National Anthem before the start of the Little 500 women's bicycle race at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Friday, April 11, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., puts his hand over his heart during the National Anthem before the start of the Little 500 women's bicycle race at the University of Indiana in...   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands at the Little 500 women's bicycle race at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Friday, April 11, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands at the Little 500 women's bicycle race at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Friday, April 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., waves as she walks to a rally at American Legion Mall in Indianapolis Wednesday, April 23, 2008, with former Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., waves as she walks to a rally at American Legion Mall in Indianapolis Wednesday, April 23, 2008, with former Indiana Secretary of State...   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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