Obama in Indiana

Barack Obama has just finished his one and only campaign stop for the day, which had him working the phones with a few dozen volunteers at UAW Local 555 in Indianapolis. How does he see his chances in this ruby-red state? “I think we can win in Indiana,” he told us.”Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in Indiana.”

We’ll know early whether he’s right. Polls here close at 6.

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  • http://www.inworldstudios.com jayackroyd

    Isn’t there some weird time zone thing in Indiana? They don’t change? Or there is line through the state?

  • Paul-no not that one

    That would be the most surprising of the states that are close for BHO to carry. It’s noteworthy that he chose the longest shot of those toss-ups to spend his last bit of campaign time.
    He must have an incredible ground game there.

  • http://www.inworldstudios.com jayackroyd

    Is anybody seeing or hearing anything other than massive turnout?

  • Joe Bftsplk

    Jay, when I lived in Indy 20 years ago, most of Indiana stayed on Eastern Standard Time year-round. That meant that during the summer we were effectively on Central Time (which I preferred), and during the winter on Eastern Time.
    Recently (like, 1 or 2 years ago?) they switched to being Eastern year-round. So their polls will close at 7pm EST.
    .
    PNNTO, I think BHO hopped over to Indiana just ‘cuz it’s close. Which is not to deny what you say.

  • Andy from MA

    jayack — I know FL has two time zones which is why the polls close at 8p.m. ET; while voting will go till midnight due to the long lines.

  • Joe Bftsplk

    Oops, I meant they’re on Central year-round. Polls close at 6 CST, 7 EST.
    Apparently, moving away didn’t diminish my confusion about these things.

  • http://www.inworldstudios.com jayackroyd

    Okay.
    .
    I’m turning on teevee. I’ll regret this, I know…

  • Paul-no not that one

    Joe, geography. Excellent point.

  • Cliff

    How does he see his chances in this ruby-red state?
    .
    Ruby red? Nate Silver has it at Obama +1. Please to not engage in CNN-style horseracing.

  • cfukara

    Well!
    It has been quite a ride.
    The ups and downs! Who would have guessed that politics can be exhilarating!
    It has been quite a ride – right down to the Madelyn reality check.

    Now I have an idea, somewhat, about how those LSD-laced flower people of the ’60s felt like.
    As from tomorrow, I officially go into withdrawal.

  • Paul-no not that one

    I hear you Cliff, but there is little question that Indiana is considered, or at least has been considered, very safe republican ground.

  • sgwhiteinfla

    Cliff
    .
    She meant historically. Indiana is definitely ruby red if you go by how they vote in presidential races.

  • efive

    He may be able to literally see Indiana from his house. The City of Chicago shares a border with Indiana, and you can see the smokestacks of Gary steel mills from downtown Chicago high rises.

  • Cliff

    All right, I see what you all are saying.
    .
    I’m a little sensitive because for the last month, every time I go to the gym, I see people on CNN asking, “Can Obama pull ahead in Pennsylvania? Can he win over blue collar voters? Can he hold onto Colorado? How about New Hampshire? Can he beat McCain there?”

  • K-from-Indiana

    The Indiana Time Zone Dance:

    A couple of years ago the state decided to start following daylight savings time, which is now over, and has no effect on polling times.

    What does effect polling times and election results is that several SW counties (leaning McCain) and several NW counties (including the area around Gary heavily leaning Obama) observe Central Standard Time, and their polling places will close at 7 pm Eastern.

    It was the NW region that almost swung the Dem primary to Obama, and it will need heavy turnout to swing the state for Obama. It was also very late in reporting results in the Dem primary, so I hate to break bubbles, but if people are looking for an early bellweather from Indiana, they might be a little frustrated.

  • Cliff

    Dangit, it ate my previous post. I’ll try again.
    .
    I see what you guys are saying.
    I’m a little sensitive because for the last month, everytime I go to the gym, I see people on CNN asking, “Can Obama pull ahead in Pennsylvania? You know he’s neck and neck there! Can he win over blue collar voters? Can he hold onto Colorado? How about New Hampshire? You know they love McCain in New Hampshire!”

  • Andy from MA

    I’ll be glad when the polls start to close and we can start to see results. This is, to paraphrase Cornelius Ryan, “The Longest Day.”

  • sgwhiteinfla

    Bill Richardson looks really weird without his p0rn stache

  • Paul-no not that one

    Test?

  • Cliff

    Ohhh, I see, it just takes a ridiculously long time for my post to show.

  • sgwhiteinfla

    Test

  • centfan

    All the old white guys around here are apoplectic that a black guy might get elected… and this is Massachusetts. Are we sure the polls were added up right?

  • Paul-no not that one

    What the heck is going on with comments?

  • sgwhiteinfla

    LOL no Cliff. The site was going screwy on all of us it seems

  • Andy from MA

    Is everyone getting an error message after you post?

  • Paul-no not that one

    If we were how could we let you know Andy? (I just blew my own mind)

  • Andy from MA

    I was going to open my office window and listen for screams of anguish, Paul.

  • Terrapinion

    Karen Tumulty – Have you visited or driven past any polling stations nearby? Could you report on turnout, lines, voting problems?

  • sgwhiteinfla

    Andy you almost heard mine all the way from florida because I thought the site was going down like it did two a week and a half ago. If Swampland were to break today of all days I ….I….I…would have to blog on Politico….But I wouldnt like it dammit!

  • Cliff

    Yeah, I have been getting an error message. Then I have to leave the site or close the window, wait a bit, and then come back on to see what I’ve posted.

  • motherfnteresa

    Andy from MA Says:
    Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 12:43 pm
    I was going to open my office window and listen for screams of anguish, Paul

    Too funny.

  • beccabyrd

    Went to vote (Memphis) and had to wait over an hour. Early voting here broke all records, so I expected to just breeze in and vote.

    I have NEVER had to wait five minutes, must less an hour. It was wonderful.

  • sgwhiteinfla

    Hi beccabyrd,
    .
    I am originally from Memphis. I heard that the lines in most places during the early voting was pretty bad. Have you head about any voting problems there today?

  • WonderLlama

    I voted in Indiana. There were two precincts voting in one building. Each had two machines. One had about 8 times as many people waiting. I don’t think it’s demographic shenanigans, as both precincts are similar.

    Two odd things about the machines. You could not vote seperately for president and vice-president. And according to a poll worker, if you walked off without pressing the big red confirmation button, they had to run you down to finish. If they didn’t catch you, they couldn’t use that machine for the rest of the day.

  • dumdedumdum

    Apparently McCain’s plane is being fitted with a big screen so he can watch his customary election day movie. My understanding is that the movie choice is a blast from the past, “Say Anything”

  • sgwhiteinfla

    dumde,
    .
    My sounds like McCain is getting the “celebrity” treatment. lol I wonder if the RNC will file suit against HIM.

  • theborgenproject

    “The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.
    $30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
    $540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget.”

  • centfan

    I guess my comment is going to await moderation until the blog page disappears. I can take a hint.

  • http://engstudent.wordpress.com/ Eric the student

    538 actually projects a McCain win by 1.5%
    .
    If McCains ground ops are illusory and BO has spun up a hurricane he maybe able to pull off an upset though. Is it true we get indiana’s results first? Before the other 7pm states?
    .

  • http://engstudent.wordpress.com/ Eric the student

    nevermind I just read the comment about the reporting is slow… guess ill be watching the other bell’weathers
    .
    glad this is almost over – maybe ill be able to study for my next test.
    .
    goodluck everybody, enjoy the day.

  • billiecat

    Reading the snippets of polling stories from around the country on TPM and Andrew Sullivan it is clear to me that something truly amazing is happening.
    .
    I’m serious, KT. Somebody needs to write a book about this election day. If Studs Terkel were still here it would be perfect for him – another of his Oral Histories. But he’s gone now so some other enterprising reporter should pick up the slack. If you don’t do it Joe Klein’s gonna beat you to it.

  • keillrandor

    Obama’s campaign
    Indianapolis calls
    Possible to win?

  • johnathan8

    You won’t die for asking. I’ll pretend I didn’t see that.pass4sure / 70-526 / 642-415 / 642-453 / 70-642

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