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Any thoughts on Indiana?
Surveying the race for the Democratic nomination in a geo-political context, there appears to be a "belt" of Americans who generally support Senator Clinton. However, the only polling I have seen from Indiana shows strong support of Senator Obama and I am wondering why?
Starting with Pennsylvania and chasing the sun, we come to West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma (perhaps discounting Arkansas for reasons of home-state advantage).
I have developed some rational for this trend. Apparently, the Obama campaign might share my thoughts at least to some degree because, for example, it chose to leave Oklahoma uncontested. I would have expected similar support for Senator Clinton from Indiana, but that does not appear to be the case.
I generally support Senator Obama, so I am not complaining about this result. Just trying to figure out why. Have been to Indiana many times, and have several good friends who live there, but I can not seem to gain any meaningful insight. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Comments (3)
At the risk of sounding self-important for commenting on my own post, I almost forgot: Ohio, of course - what's the discriminator explaining the result from Ohio versus the poll data from Indiana? Proximity to Illinois, perhaps?
Thanks again!
March 19, 2008 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
To get a feel for Indiana, you have to look at how it differs from the other states you mentioned.
While Indiana is the next state west on I-80, after Penn. and Ohio, recent Presidential elections show that Indiana is quite different demographically. While PA and OH are usually at least tight in their vote, Indiana leans strongly (R). There is a lot more Bible Belt in Indiana than Ohio, much more like KY and TN.
But looking at a Democratic nomination race, it becomes more about the makeup of Indiana Dems. The largest concentration of (D) voters is in the Northwest, near Gary and other extreme south "suburbs" of Chicago. This ground is less than an hour away from Hyde Park, and is heavily African-American. Other areas where AA influence will be felt include Indianapolis and most of the north of Indiana (along I-80).
Bloomington, South Bend, West Lafayette (yes, even there), and several other campus communities will also give Obama the "latte" vote.
One important thing to remember, Indiana's most famous libera/progresive not in politics is John Mellencamp. His voice, through the lyrics of his music, tends to echo as much as drive the progressive sentiment of Indiana. It is rooted in the land, in self-reliance and community, that same paradox that comes through in the early chapters os The Audacity of Hope. Barack Obama speaks to a lot of what Indiana believes (at least that coalition of Indianans that would elect Congressional and statewide Democrats).
At least this is what I get from my parents' relation of their experiences living in Indiana for two years.
March 19, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good points, Moose. Thanks.
March 19, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
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