Indiana Could Turn Blue

[wyldwolf]

"Disillusioned with President Bush's handling of the war, the economy and immigration, nearly half of likely voters in Indiana appear poised to buck 40 years of tradition and vote for a Democratic presidential ticket -- if it includes Sen. Evan Bayh," according to a new Indianapolis Star-WTHR poll.

The poll "revealed a growing sense of pessimism, with nearly three-quarters saying the nation is headed in the wrong direction and 28 percent approving of George W. Bush's performance as president."

(Political wire)

That would be a dramatic reversal for a dyed-in-the-wool "red" state where voters have backed the GOP's presidential candidate in all but three elections during the past 100 years.
The last Democrat to win Indiana was Lyndon B. Johnson, who pulled about 56 percent of the vote in the 1964 race with Barry Goldwater. Bush carried the state in 2000 and 2004 with nearly 56 percent and 59 percent of the vote, respectively.

The presidential race becomes closer when Bayh is taken out of the equation, with the outcome hanging in the hands of the nearly one-third of voters who said they remain undecided. About half of them said their votes would depend on who the candidates are.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071123/LOCAL/711230431

(Evan Bayh is said to be on the shortlist of VP candidates for Clinton.)

[saltpoint]

1. There have been some blows against a blue trend in Indiana recently,

with Mayor Peterson's loss, a few other mayoral losses, and just very recently, the announcement by Julia Carson to the STAR that she has terminal lung cancer.

I can see HClinton shortlisting Evan Bayh for veep and enhancing our chances at a blue Indiana for 08 but if other candidates defeat her for the nomination, the case may be less compelling for Bayh's selection. It could still happen, though. Bayh and Vilsack have eartily endorse Clinton, and may be less attractive as veep noms for Edwards, Obama, Biden, etc. as a result.

[PVnRT]

7. Peterson lost because of property taxes

Fair or not, that's why, and that same albatross is going to be hanging around Bitch's neck next year.

Choosing Bayh in an attempt to win 13 electoral votes is just a bad strategy. He might make it closer, but I don't see this state turning unless more shit starts hitting the fan next year during the election.

[saltpoint]

14. Property taxes. Well, do whatever you can to get rid of Mitch. He's not my man,

either, and I'm not even in Indiana.

I still don't like him no matter what and hope that a Democartic tide nationally can boost the blue ticket in the Hoosier State.

I miss Birch Bayh and Vance Hartke. And back in 1968 Robert Kennedy won the Democratic primary in Indiana.

It's been awfully red most of the time ever since.

Also, if you can manage it, please get rid of that puke Steve Buyer. What a hardass ultra-conservative he is. I wouldn't miss him one iota.

[IndianaJones]

2. how I wish. nt.

[wyldwolf]

3. work it, Dr. Jones! Work it! You have a better shot than we do in GA!

[depakid]

4. That'll be the day...

Bayh wouldn't be able to carry Indiana any more than Edwards could North Carolina.

[Romulox]

5. So long as the party moves SHARPLY to the right, we MAY have a chance in Indiana...

On the other hand, support for "free trade" and endless interventionist wars may just alienate the rest of us...:eyes:

[PVnRT]

6. Of course, if you LIVED in Indiana

You would realize that support for "free trade" is practically a death sentence in this state, unless you're an entrenched incumbent (and sometimes not even then).

Did Michigan toss out three incumbent conservative Republicans in 2006? I ask, because Indiana managed to do it. Almost four.

[Romulox]

8. We're talking about Evan Bayh here, a "new" Democrat and DLC stalwart.

He most certainly supports "free trade" and interventionist wars abroad.

[rucky]

9. It's Missouri that I'm most hopeful about...

the Repug Governor is going to get his ass whooped - Kentucky-style.

[PresidentObama]

12. You have to understand, Missouri politics is weird.

In 2004, I knew a lot of Bush supporters who backed Claire McCaskill for Governor. And a lot of Kerry supporters who backed GOPer Blunt for Governor. A lot of Missourians are independent thinkers, and don't mix their Presidential politics with local politics. Matt Blunt will lose, easily. Jay Nixon is simply more popular, and a better alternative.

Obama and Edwards could win the state, but it'd be tough. But Hillary winning Missouri? If she's the nominee, I don't see it happening.

[Hawkowl]

10. Riiighhtt

And a large green monkey will fly out of my ass and deliver us from homicidal shrubs.

[OHdem10]

11. Republicans just won all the local elections there. Is this

a slick way to try to push Bahy for VP????

[gasperc]

13. I put this at about 1% chance

call me crazy but it ain't gonna happen

[phillyliberal]

15. Indy

Indiana is a very blue-collar state... However, our party seems to have lost the connection with those who are blue-collar and consider themselves very religious. The same can be said throughout the south.

I am hopeful states like this will turn blue- the neo-cons and republicans have done NOTHING in their interests... Nothing but send kids from their small towns off to fight a war that was based on lies.

[IndianaGreen]

16. Not if Hillary is the Democratic nominee

Bill Clinton's sexual perversions became a national embarrassment, and Hillary is as popular here as venereal disease.

John Edwards could carry Indiana. A lot of people here were hurt by Clinton's NAFTA.