I will delete this if it has been already posted, but I didn't see a Diary on it already.
Indiana is a swing state this year.
The latest poll today out of Indiana by the pollster Rasmussen (which has a slight Republican tilt) puts McCain up by 2:
McCain (R) 49%, Obama (D) 47%
I thought this was notable from the blurb on the poll:
McCain is viewed favorably by 61% of Indiana voters, down four points from a month ago.
Obama earns positive reviews from 54%, up two points.
Obama is supported by 92% of Democrats, McCain by 85% of Republicans. The two candidates are even among unaffiliated voters.
Keep up the great work, Indiana Dems!!!
Update:
OK, now that my giddiness has subsided a little bit, I wanted to add a little personal perspective, and a plug for what I think is an awesome website that I haven't seen advertised in a while.
1st, perspective: My parents still live in Indiana, and my mom has been canvassing the Bloomington area (where they live) since before the primaries (there are two field offices in Bloomington alone. McCain has none in the entire state). Anyway, she's a real estate agent and claims that the foreclosure crisis has hit Indiana HARD (she said #2 in the nation), which is one of the significant reasons that Obama is gaining traction in Indiana. Couple that with the proximity to Illinois, which I would consider Indiana more culturally akin to than Indiana is to Ohio, and this may be a big part of the lead. Remember that Obama excelled in winning rural Illinois in his senate bid.
Obama has put real effort in the state. I remember my parents calling me excitedly from an Obama rally, there are lots of Obama parties for major campaign events, and local offices are busy with hard working volunteers. And, again, there are a zillion Obama field offices to none for McCain.
2nd, the plug: I diaried here a little while ago how I wanted a website that helped match up people in blue states (like me) with people in swing states that were willing to help the blue state volunteers with a place to couch surf while we worked our collective asses off for Obama. A couple of savvy people referred me to two sites:
http://www.travelforchange.org
http://www.obamatravel.org
which serve exclusively that purpose. Please, folks, consider this as an option and a good way of helping out in the election. For me, I have a place to stay in Indiana (and I make enough that I wouldn't ask any money for travel), but if you find yourself short on accommodations or cash, these sites might help you out. In the context of my original diary, I was planning on going to Colorado. I may yet do that if the dynamic changes, but it's looking like Indiana (with 11EV) is a good bet, too.
Folks, I can tell you this: people from Indiana are among the nicest in the world. Please consider a trip to the Hoosier state! :)
Update Number 2:
Two other things to consider and mull over:
- Dems picked up 3 House seats in Indiana in 2006. The Indiana delegation is now predominantly Democratic.
- The representative from the district in Indianapolis (IN-07), André Carson, is the grandson of the late Julia Carson (who also represented that district). He is also one of two Muslims in the US House of Representatives. So, at least some segment of Hoosiers know that all this nonsense about Barack's religion is just irrelevant no matter how you cut it.