Indiana - any chance to go Dem?

[quinnox]

I saw Bayh on inside politics and was impressed. Don't know if there is anything to the rumors that Bayh might be considered for VP, but if so what are the chances he could deliver Indiana?

I looked up the 2000 result, and Bush won there with 57%.

Is Indiana (12 electoral votes) a solid republican state, or can it be won?

[Mattforclark]

1. Why is it such a Republican state, anyway?

I've been wondering about this... It is Northern, and has at least 1 big city (Indianapolis) along with rust belt places like Gary... Shouldn't it at least be a swing state like Ohio, or is the rural population just too big?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Actually their state gov't is pretty evenly divided

with Republicans having a slight edge, IIRC

[mohc]

9. Aside from the Chicago suburbs

IN is very Republican. Indianapolis is a conservative city, and went for Bush in 2000. If we win IN, we are winning in a landslide.

[Product of Evolution]

2. Sure...

And Kansas is winnable because it has a Dem governor...

[_Jumper_]

5. Indiana's Republican senator isn't exactly a Freeper

He supports affirmative action and was co-sponsor of the alternative to the IWR.

[beyurslf]

20. I love pointing out to my friends in NY and CA that we at least have a DEM

Gov. :)

[_Jumper_]

3. Someone hear that said Kerry's internal polling says he can win it...

...if he selects Bayh as VP.

[theorist]

4. I'm in Bloomington, IN.

It's a Dem stronghold of sorts. Typical liberal university town. I read on the DNC's website that Indiana is considered a battleground state. We do have a Democratic Governor and one Dem Senator (although, he is a conservative, e.g. voted in favor of the "partial birth abortion" ban).

I'll be voting ABB here in Hoosier country!

[quinnox]

8. A battleground state

Good to hear.

[lovedems]

11. Are there alot of NASCAR dad's in Indiana? I ask because

our NASCAR dad population in Illinois seems to be growing.

[theorist]

15. The Indianapolis 500 is in the capital of the state.

I think it's safe to say we have a lot of NASCAR dads. These guys may be uneducated, but I wouldn't be quick to call them unintelligent. Then again, I don't know any of them personally.

The "are you better off than you were 3 1/2 years ago?" line should work on them.

[lovedems]

18. I don't think so. My brother-in-law is a NASCAR dad and like you

said, he is uneducated but not unintelligent. I don't know if he plans on voting for the chimp or staying home. I am to scared to ask him. He is pretty religious though.

I didn't want to suggest that just because the INDY 500 in the state, alot of people in Indy were NASCAR fans, that would be a bit sterotypical. I know that alot of people nationwide go to the INDY 500.

[theorist]

21. Maybe not in Indy, which is a pretty hip city.

But I think you could fill at least one lot with the NASCAR dads from IN.

[NewJerseyDem]

7. Indiana has 11 electoral votes now

It lost one in reapportionment.

The state is very solidly republican and didn't even vote for Clinton either times. Bayh would help but I still doubt we could win even though he is very popular there.

Bayh isn't exactly popular here at DU. He is the chair of the DLC and I don't know if he has much chance to be VP because he is running for reelection and he voted for the partial-birth abortion ban which mad NARAL basically tell Gore to not consider him to be the vice presidential nominee in 2000. Bayh is sometimes to conservative in his rhetoric but has been pretty good in recent months. He can be too willing to condemn the democrats for being too liberal but I think he should be condidered. He would help outside of Indiana because he is a strong candidate anyway.

[quinnox]

12. I agree about Bayh

He seemed fairly impressive and seems to be a moderate which could help Kerry.

[Padraig18]

10. I'm near Terre Haute.

I'd say the chances are less than 50-50, but could be 50-50, or better, if Bayh were on the ticket.

[quinnox]

13. sounds good

Maybe Bayh could tilt the balance.

[Padraig18]

17. He wouldn't hurt.

:)

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. It hasn't gone for a Democrat since 1964

[theorist]

16. A Bayh ENDORSEMENT may clinch it. n/t

[Taeger]

19. Losing Jobs

Indiana is losing a LOT of blue collar jobs. Indianapolis is also losing white collar jobs as well. If we can associate this with trade policies, we can elect a president who wants to cancel or reform free trade.

BTW, Indiana isn't as Republican as people would like to think. We've had a Democratic governors for quite a long time. This state leans to the right, but not by much.

Though, I will make this comment. Indiana voting Democrat in the presidential race won't be a vote FOR the Democratic nominee. It will be a vote of disgust against Bush.

[kmla]

22. I'm not really sure that he would help.

In the next election, it will be the first election that I will hold my nose when I vote for Evan Bayh. He is not the liberal stalwart that his father was. He is VERY middle of the road, standard conservative Democrat. He has had a chance to make a few stands in the past 3 years, but has "sucked up" to the polls on every occasion.

As far as being a republican state - kinda, but not so much. We have a Democratic Gov, 1 Democratic Senator, and a smattering of Democratic reps in the house. As far as geographically, though, once you get outside of the bigger cities (Indy, Gary, Bloomington), it is pretty rural/small town in it's atmosphere and civic mentality.


Indiana will go Dem in the near future (my prediction), but not for a few years yet...

[HoosierClarkie]

23. YES!

I am a "hoosier". We have one of the largest populations of Veterans that are disgusted at this administration. We have had several upsets in large cities where they went Democratic around Indianapolis not just the Governor of the state. The tide is turning in Indiana.

Dean and Clark have huge grassroots here. Great turnouts for meetups and events. They are bringing people in to the party. (hope they stay)Although I do not care for Evan Bayh, many Independents and Republicans do. (maybe telling) Anyway, Democrats are going to have a fight on our hands to keep the Governor there. Mitch Daniels is here running ads already!

My feeling is this about why Indiana is still leans Republican: we have a history of the KKK in our state. Whether they are practicing here anymore or not, it takes generations for this attitude to completely disolve. Those people are dying off. (I hope that came out right)