Any Indiana voter info?

[progressiveforever]

I know Indiana is traditionally red, but some things have been encouraging. The other day someone had posted some county by county demographic changes that had been a factor (among other factors) that was turning Virginia blue.

I am from southern Ohio and drove from Chicago and back this weekend--so I was in Indiana south to north and back again. With signs as indicators, south of Indianapolis is McCain- north is solid Obama which, of course is Chicago.

How have vote drives been in northern Indiana? I have looked on the "internets" and can't find anything.....can anyone lead me to the right place?

[saltpoint]

1. Indiana polling right now shows Obama very competitive with McCain.

The Indianapolis STAR's most recent poll had Obama up marginally, but the race remains close.

Most of southern Indiana is conservative, but not Monroe County. Or rather, not Bloomington, one of the most progressive cities in the nation. Indiana University is there. It will likely be more than enough to give Obama/Biden a win for Monroe County.

Indianapolis will go for Obama/Biden.

The vote totals, IMO, will be closer in Hamilton County, but Obama is competitive. Young professionals who work in Indianapolis but who live in Noblesville, for example, may be a source of strong support for Obama.

Although there is concern about voter roll challenges in the northwest corner generally and Lake County especially, Obama will likely do very well there.

Tippecanoe County is a split-personality county. Democrats abound in West Lafayette (home of Purdue University), but just across the Wabash River the demographics are more Republican. Steve Buyer (R) represents that Congressional District and while he's favored to win, his Democratic opponent is stronger this year than in any race in recent memory.

If economic hard times in Kokomo, Muncie, and Anderson get worse this fall, and they very well may, it could sway significant post-manufacturing households toward the Democratic ticket.

A gubernatorial race between incumbent GOP sheister Mitch Daniels and former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson will bring a lot of people to the polls. Turnout could be huge. With the collpasing economy, that could favor Obama.

Not least, it sure looks like Dave Letterman -- Indiana's own -- is for Obama.

[mucifer]

2. I went to northern Indiana from Chicago to canvass yesterday.

It was very exciting. Lots of Chicagoans there with lots of hardworking Indianans. It was a VERY blue town I went to named East Chicago. The goal was GOTV. I only got 2 negative responses. Pretty much everyone else was proObama. There were even a few people who answered the door wearing Obama buttons. The local autoworker's union had made lots of buttons and posters themselves. Apparently, in this area of Indiana most people are dems who often don't vote. So they are sending people to the same areas week after week knocking on doors and reminding people how important their vote is in this election. It was lots of fun. I'm sure there aren't too many parts of Indiana quite like East Chicago. I'm probably going back next Saturday. Votes in blue parts of the state are as important as votes in red parts of the state.

[Jackinbox]

3. We've made huge improvements

this year but it's still going to be an uphill battle. I'm not saying it's impossible but Bush did win here in 2004 by 21 points (60-39). It's hard to overcome that in one election cycle. But I plan on fighting to the end.

[saltpoint]

4. Welcome to DU, Jackinthebox.

And thank you for fighting for a good ticket there in Indiana.

[Juche]

6. Yeah but that was in 2004

Before the 2006 midterm elections we had (of our 9 representative seats) 7 GOP and 2 democratic. Now we have 5 democratic and 4 GOP after 2006. Combine that with the fact that in the primary about 1.3 million people voted either for Clinton or Obama and that primary turnout is lower than election turnout (the entire 2008 primary only saw about 40 million voters vs. the 60 million who voted Kerry in 2004). Even though some of those voters were Limbaugh operatives (like my SIL) that doesn't change the fact that it is likely that 1.25 million people voted in the dem primary with good intentions. Bus won 1.5 million votes here in 2004 and keep in consideration that turnout for the general election will be much higher than the primary.

I feel bad that I haven't done more for my state. I've donated money to voter reg. drives, put up/gave out signs & stickers and helped spread the word about obama, but never done the actual work of phone banking and knocking on doors. Maybe I can volunteer to drive people to the polls for early voting.

Bloomington is by far my favorite town in Indiana. I wish to hell I could've found a job there. Progressive as hell, but only about 75k people so I don't know what impact Bloomington alone will have.

Here in a small town in eastern Indiana that in in Pence's district I see more Obama signs than McCain signs. So that is something to be excited about.

[Indykatie]

5. Indiana Voter Registration

I live in Indianapolis and have noticed a tremendous amount of activity. I personally registered about 35 new voters all whom are new voters that are ex citied about the election. Indiana does not indicate party preference so there is no specific breakdown of Rs, Ds and Is available. We ar energized throughout the State although I fear Mitch Daniels will be reelected. How exciting for me that I get to see Indiana be a "battleground state" in my lifetime. Never thought that would happen!!