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Red state gives Dems the blues
Chicago Tribune ^ | April 26th, 2008 | Tim Jones

Posted on 04/26/2008 11:21:29 AM PDT by The_Republican

If Indiana behaved like its neighboring states, Democratic presidential candidates would come and thunder against globalization, sing hosannas to farm subsidies, pay homage to solid Midwestern values and chomp down pork tenderloin sandwiches in the confident belief that the time and the cholesterol risk would pay off in November.

If Indiana behaved like its neighboring states, Democratic presidential candidates would come and thunder against globalization, sing hosannas to farm subsidies, pay homage to solid Midwestern values and chomp down pork tenderloin sandwiches in the confident belief that the time and the cholesterol risk would pay off in November.

"That's one of the great mysteries of the world," said Michael Wolf, a political scientist at Indiana University/Purdue University Ft. Wayne. "Part of the political culture here ... is the old sod-busting libertarianism that says, 'Leave us alone.' "

"There's a clear resentment toward federal government involvement in individuals' lives," Wolf added.

With both Democratic candidates planning to campaign in the state over the weekend, all that talk about change, especially from Sen. Barack Obama, is not necessarily a crowd-pleaser in Indiana, still grumbling about daylight-saving time and the leasing of the Indiana Toll Road.

There's plenty of Rust Belt vintage, blue-collar misery for Democrats to tap into. Indiana is among the biggest losers in terms of the demise of heavy manufacturing, personal income and economic damage done to formerly powerful factory cities like Anderson and Muncie. Historically high gasoline prices and the tight credit market have seriously hurt sales of the state's signature motor vehicle, the dinosaur-like RV.

But while woe-driven anger might elect a Democratic mayor, county commissioner or governor, the seemingly logical leap to the White House is all but blocked.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: badfordems; fearofdefeat; in2008; indiana; obama; redstates

1 posted on 04/26/2008 11:21:29 AM PDT by The_Republican
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To: The_Republican

Indiana is one of the few states left in the Midwest that’s worth a damn.


2 posted on 04/26/2008 11:24:54 AM PDT by Hardastarboard (A Zero Tolerance Policy isn’t a one way street.)
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To: The_Republican
With both Democratic candidates planning to campaign in the state over the weekend, all that talk about change, especially from Sen. Barack Obama, is not necessarily a crowd-pleaser in Indiana, still grumbling about daylight-saving time and the leasing of the Indiana Toll Road.

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3 posted on 04/26/2008 11:30:43 AM PDT by John Jorsett (scam never sleeps)
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To: John Jorsett

Yes we do live in the greatest country so why does Obama want to change it to a Marxist model; he wants government to take care of everything and the United Nations to do our fighting for a tax of course. As Michelle says without change we cannot have Universal Healthcare with out taking from some to give to others.....Michelle, Universal Health Care would be unconstitutional besides we have a great system now! What on earth is the matter with the Obamas and the Clintons - is this just political rhetoric from four socialists?


4 posted on 04/26/2008 11:59:48 AM PDT by yoe ( Socialism with Obama or Clinton - Democracy with McCain)
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To: Hardastarboard
Indiana is one of the few states left in the Midwest that’s worth a damn

Perhaps because it is not dominated by a big city. Illinois is fouled up with Chicago. Ohio is saddled with Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Iowa has to deal with DesMoines, and Wisconsin is contaminated by Madison. Minnesota is a Twin Cities lost cause.

5 posted on 04/26/2008 12:06:25 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
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To: hinckley buzzard

“Perhaps because it is not dominated by a big city. Illinois is fouled up with Chicago. Ohio is saddled with Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Iowa has to deal with DesMoines, and Wisconsin is contaminated by Madison. Minnesota is a Twin Cities lost cause.”

And Kansas has Governor Sebelius.


6 posted on 04/26/2008 12:16:00 PM PDT by peggybac (Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing)
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To: Hardastarboard
Indiana is one of the few states left in the Midwest that’s worth a damn.

I dunno. How can we give a damn when we still re-elect scumbags like Dick Lugar and Evan Bayh?

7 posted on 04/26/2008 1:05:36 PM PDT by 03A3
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To: The_Republican
Indiana hasn't gone for a Democratic presidential candidate since the 30s. It will be no different this year. The Democrat nominee is not going to waste time campaigning in the Hoosier State this fall.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

8 posted on 04/26/2008 1:11:55 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop
There is no single explanation for that. Some of the state's most prominent bloodline suggests an outspoken individualism: socialist Eugene Debs; Teamster Jimmy Hoffa; the Ku Klux Klan; and author Kurt Vonnegut. The more important influence defining Indiana, some historians and analysts say, may be migration from the South.

Hmmm, if they don't vote Democrat, they must be inbred racist reactionaries...

9 posted on 04/26/2008 3:00:17 PM PDT by glorgau
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To: Hardastarboard
Indiana is one of the few states left in the Midwest that’s worth a damn.

Because it's not really in the Midwest. Outside of the northwest corner, Indiana is a lot like Kentucky. Very individualist.
10 posted on 04/26/2008 5:08:34 PM PDT by charles m (Ask not what what your country can do for you; ask what you can do to make Michelle Obama proud.)
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