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Ignored Hoosiers May Turn Blue

Obama is within striking distance in typically Republican Indiana

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 20, 2008 2:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Indiana has voted Republican 16 times in the past 17 presidential elections, so why is Barack Obama even bothering to run ads and rally? The state that favored George W. Bush over John Kerry 60-39% is showing surprising support for Obama—enough that he could scrape out a win, Salon reports. And if that does happen, it'll be because the Obama team spotted opportunity among that state's long history of campaign neglect.

The dead-heat Democratic primary inspired voters, a big boost in the state with the worst overall turnout percentage in 2004. Dems decided to use the bump as a launch pad, and even Republicans are in awe of how Obama's run his statewide campaign. And fiscal conservatives are uneasy over Sarah Palin's social views, while others worry about John McCain's economic policies.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (3)]

The crowd stands in the mud to hear Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speak at a rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Barack Obama shakes hands with Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., left, after Bayh introduced him at a rally in Indianapolis, Ind., Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Barack Obama can fill the Indiana State Fairgrounds, but can he fill the voting booths enough to take the Hoosier State back from the GOP? (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Democrats typically skip right over reliably Republican Indiana when plotting presidential campaign strategy. This year, both parties are fighting to take the state. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

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They'd have to resurrect Lincoln to get me to vote Republican. - Bruce Babcock, a lifetime Republican who thinks the party doesn't deserve another chance at running the country

Unlike Iowa, where a good field operation can add only about 3 percentage points, there is a much greater opportunity for a good field operation here. Hoosiers are not used to Democrats coming to their door. - Emily Parcell, Indiana's Obama Coordinator

I just think that McCain did us all an injustice by choosing his running mate. McCain has made so many mistakes running his campaign, who knows what he would do as president. - Laurie Dwyer, 62, who will be voting for Barack Obama in Indiana

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Ignored Hoosiers May Turn Blue