Fightin' for O'Bama posted by Ari Berman on 11/02/2008 @ 7:39pm
SOUTH BEND, Indiana -- It was a beautiful afternoon for politics in this classic college town, home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Democrats here have adopted Barack Obama as one of their own, passing out stickers that read "Catholics For Obama." The local Democratic Party chairman, Butch Morgan, wears a silver cross around his neck next to an Obama button. For his area, Obama has been a blessing.
Obama's main office in downtown South Bend was hopping with volunteers on Sunday. Across the street, the lines for early voting stretched around the block, hundreds deep.
"The energy level is non-stop," says Morgan. "The Obama campaign never let up since the primary. The McCain campaign underestimated them. I told my Republican friends 'this is not a diversionary tactic. He's here to win the state.'"
Indiana is a coveted pickup opportunity for Obama, a remarkable fact given that President Bush won this state by 22 points in '04. And if he improbably flips the state, South Bend will be a key to his success--along with Gary and Fort Wayne, the city forms a U of blue in Northern Indiana amidst a sea of red. ......(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/379376/fightin_for_o_bama