The New GOP Push For Indiana
This Reporter's Notebook for the CBS Evening News series, "Final Battleground," was written by Brian Howey, the creator of the Web site and e-newsletter, Howey Politics Indiana. You can find it right here.
The Republicans certainly have had their way in this state for a long time. There have only been three elections in the 20th century where they haven't won, and the last one was 1964.
In my opinion, the McCain-Palin campaign has taken Indiana for granted this year. Sarah Palin made her first stop last Friday. We have only seen John McCain once.
They have really been out-performed by Obama on all fronts. He's got over 40 offices open around the state in small communities. The Obama campaign has probably registered 150,000, maybe 200,000, new voters.
And I think what their plan is, is to try and offset some of the latent racism that may exist here in the state with a new voter.
To use an Indiana basketball term, this is a barn burner.
Hoosiers have a long love affair with the internal combustion engine. We were an auto center and what has happened to Detroit has really impacted the economy her in Indiana. And I think that is why, a lot of Republicans and Independents are certainly taking a long look at Barack Obama.
I was told by McCain operatives here that they were going to do it the old-fashioned way - they felt like they had a very strong state organization. And the Indiana Republican Party is a very strong state organization.
Traditionally, Republican presidential nominees swoop in to Indiana to raise money. And now they have to put out a prairie fire.Ways To Win
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