Clinton within striking distance in Indiana; dems lead races for Gov & Sen

[book_worm]

West Long Branch, NJ - Indiana was never supposed to be competitive, even before Donald Trump tapped its governor as his running mate. The latest Monmouth University Poll throws those expectations out the window. Trump currently leads Hillary Clinton by a slim 4 points, down from his 11 point lead in August, while Mike Pence's approval rating as governor has dropped among Hoosier State voters. The poll also finds Evan Bayh is weathering attacks and holds onto a 6 point lead in the U.S. Senate contest. Despite all the tumult at the top of the ticket, the race for governor has been the one experiencing the most movement, going from a virtual tie two months ago to a 12 point advantage for Democratic nominee John Gregg now.

Among Indiana voters likely to cast ballots in November's presidential election, 45% currently support Trump and 41% back Clinton. Another 9% intend to vote for Libertarian Gary Johnson and 5% are undecided. Trump held a larger 47% to 36% lead in mid-August.

Trump is doing as well among Indiana voters without a college degree (53% to 33% for Clinton) as he did two months ago (54% to 33%). However, he now has a deficit among college graduates, with 36% support to 50% for Clinton now compared to a virtual tie in August (39% Trump and 40% Clinton).

Trump has also lost ground among women, now trailing Clinton by 38% to 47% while they were practically tied two months ago (44% Trump and 43% Clinton). He continues to have a large lead among men - 52% to 34% now compared with 51% to 29% in August.

In poll interviews conducted Tuesday and Wednesday, Trump held a 45% to 38% lead over Clinton. In interviews conducted Thursday evening, after allegations of sexual misconduct by the GOP nominee emerged, Clinton held a narrow edge of 46% to 44% over Trump.

Turning to the race to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Senator Dan Coats, former senator Evan Bayh holds a 48% to 42% lead over Congressman Todd Young. This is basically unchanged from the Democrat's 48% to 41% lead in August.

The poll also finds a major shift in the race to succeed Pence as governor. His 2012 opponent John Gregg is currently leading Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb by a 50% to 38% margin.

https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/MonmouthPoll_IN_101416/

[saltpoint]

1. I'd love to see Indiana light up blue

from up top at Gary down through the soybean fields and the sycamores along the Wabash, from basketball rims fastened to barns, over to the cemetery where James Dean is buried, across the campus at Ball State in Muncie, up and down that splendid architecture in Columbus, all around that statue of the Pioneer Mother in Richmond, and straight down to that beautiful river country in the south.

All of it. Presidential race, gubernatorial race, U.S. Senate race, and as many other down-ballot races that can possibly be had.