Starting Gate: Hoosier Winner?

Five straight days of Rev. Wright headlines have undoubtedly taken a toll on Barack Obama's campaign. After another disappointing loss in another large state, he was already laboring under the pressure of proving that he has what it takes to deliver that knockout punch in North Carolina and, more importantly, Indiana on May 6th.

At the moment, it seems as though he's locked in a battle with at least four different opponents – Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Jeremiah Wright and the media. What better time for a stunning blow?

For the first time in a long time the expectations game may be working in Obama's favor. Although expected to win comfortably in North Carolina next Tuesday, Indiana is where most of the attention will likely be focused. Polls show the race there to be a near dead-heat, with Clinton claiming a lead most recently. But the state is hardly a slam-dunk for either candidate. And Obama has perhaps as many things going for him in the state that borders his own as he has going against him.

Next Tuesday is yet another in a series of critical days for both Democrats but for once, it's Obama who's operating with the burden of expectations – can he finish this race off? After the loss in Pennsylvania, all the discussion about his failure to attract those blue-collar voters and, now, the re-emergence of Wright as an issue, he looks to be the underdog, at least in Indiana.

But a win in the Hoosier state would be the ultimate remedy for what is ailing his campaign. It would all but knock Clinton out of the race, put questions about his ability to attract support in the heartland to rest and demonstrate to the party's superdelegates that the Rev. Wright controversy doesn't render him unelectable. A Hoosier State victory isn't out of reach and in this race, almost seems like a fitting ending. Stay tuned.