The Indianapolis Star is the largest newspaper in Indiana. By a lot. So lets take a look at the cover of today's Star and check out the lead stories, shall we? They truly make for a lovely picture:
Hoosier voters indulge their ticket-splitting habit
Judgment call: 3 justices are on the ballot
Legendary lawmaker Birch Bayh stumps for Obama
Tickets available for McCain's Indy appearance
I'm loving it.
Three of the top four stories are about the election. They are all great news for Obama. Let's look at bit deeper, okay?
Hoosier voters indulge their ticket-splitting habit
This is not just about ticket-splitting in general. It is about splitting the ticket between Obama for President and Daniels for Governor:
Planted next to the tombstones and other Halloween decorations on David Duclos' Indianapolis front yard this year is something the political parties find truly frightening: a yard sign for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama next to one for Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.
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Confirming as much, a new Indianapolis Star-WTHR (Channel 13) poll shows many voters expect to back candidates from both parties.
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Also, voters who identify themselves as independents are supporting Obama, 47 percent to 36 percent, but choosing Daniels 52 percent to 35 percent.
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"I've always liked McCain. Being an independent, I like someone who doesn't follow the party line," he said. "(But) I liked him as a senator more than I've liked him as a candidate for president."
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... Although Democrats are accustomed to having to persuade people to cross over, Republicans are used to having a presidential wind at their back.
This year, though, Republicans are struggling, as President Bush's approval ratings are at historic lows and Republican candidates are facing the prospect of losing more seats in the U.S. House and Senate.
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Legendary lawmaker Birch Bayh stumps for Obama
Birch Bayh is truly a legend here in Indiana. His personal involvement just might be worth those two votes per precinct that made all the difference for him 46 years ago.
Birch Bayh may be 80, but he's campaigning like it's 1980.
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"One thing Barack Obama conveys to me is a spirit of hope, very much like Jack Kennedy -- ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," Bayh said at a recent campaign stop in Knox, a Northern Indiana town of less than 4,000. "I think Obama appeals to our better element; that we can be bigger, better and make our country the kind of country we want it to be."
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Bayh is perhaps best known as a major sponsor of the 1972 Title IX education measure, which gave women equal rights in sports and education in public schools. He also served as an architect of two constitutional amendments: the 25th, which created rules for presidential succession, and the 26th, which lowered the voting age to 18.
At many of his stops across the state, he has been greeted with adoring fans who remember dressing up as "Bayh girls" during his campaign runs. Former staffers have greeted him with hugs, smiles and even homemade pies.
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Bayh ended a recent stump speech in Fort Wayne recalling that 1962 win, a race Bayh said he won by a statewide margin of two votes per precinct.
"When it's about over and you're so tired you can't make another phone call, can't take another step, get two more votes for Birch," he said. "Two more votes for Birch, and we'll win this election."
Tickets available for McCain's Indy appearance
Please, oh please please please, come see John McCain. PUH-LEEEEZE!?!!?!
Compare that to Obama's recent appearance in Indianapolis, where "More than 10,000 people braved dark skies and drizzle this morning to see the man they believe will be the next president: Democratic Sen. Barack Obama."
Free tickets to Republican presidential candidate John McCain's appearance in Indianapolis on Monday will be available online and at several area locations.
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McCain campaign officials said Saturday that beginning at 6 a.m. today, tickets may be printed online at www.johnmccain .com.
In addition, tickets will be distributed today at the following locations:
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Folks, I do not know if Obama will win Indiana. I do know, though, that people here are astounded it is even in question, and those who favor Obama are electrified, while the McCain supporters seem resigned.