By John McCormick and Rick Pearson
INDIANAPOLIS -- Sen. Barack Obama predicted a close outcome in the critical Indiana primary as he and Sen. Hillary Clinton on Monday made their final, frantic pitches in Indiana and North Carolina.
"This is going to be a tight race," Obama said, while meeting union workers in Evansville. "Every poll shows a dead heat."
Tuesday's Democratic presidential primaries in Indiana and North Carolina will serve as something of a referendum on just how much Obama has been hurt by recent controversy over statements and appearances by his longtime pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.
Wright's comments have received extensive coverage within the Chicago media market, which covers 20 percent of Indiana's expected Democratic vote, so extra attention will be paid to the outcome in northwest Indiana.
Clinton's campaign has suggested the Wright controversy makes a weaker general election candidate out of Obama, who has responded by downsizing his events in recent days and playing basketball across Indiana.
The two contests appear to be the closest since those held two months ago in Texas and Ohio and are vital in Clinton's efforts to keep her presidential bid, lagging in money and elected delegates, alive.
On the airwaves and at rallies, the candidates and their surrogates continued their fight over the merits of a proposal for a federal gas tax holiday this summer, the signature issue during the past week of the nomination brawl.
Read the rest of the story in Tuesday's Tribune.




Comments
Obama should pull his name out of the hat and save face. He is history. Rev. Wright will always be his legacy....
Posted by: kaye m. | May 6, 2008 1:17 AM
This is Hillary Clinton: Whitewater, Travelgate, Monica Lewinsky and impeachment, renting out the Lincoln bedroom, the loss of the Rose Law Firm billing records for nearly 2 years until they were miraculously found in the White House living quarters, removing files from Vince Foster’s office following his suicide and before investigators could get there. Her refusal to release her earmark requests from her time in the Senate, as well as her Clinton library donors. Her sell out apology to the African American community (for her campaigns racist comments) which came days too late. Her decline to return $170,000 in campaign contributions from individuals at International Profit Associates, or IPA accused of widespread sexual harassment, and whose CEO is a disbarred lawyer with a criminal record. Lets not forget her campaign eventually returned some $850,000 to Hong Kong businessman Norman Hsu who was found to be a fugitive in a 15-year old theft case. He was indicted for fraud related to his campaign contributions in 2007. Her failed inclusion and diplomacy with congress on her once universal health care bid. Her subsequent surrender and alignment to the health care industry (second largest recipient in the Senate of health care industry contributions). Her disguise on NAFTA and all free trade agreements. Her conscious vote for war in Iraq. Her blatant flip flop on Florida and Michigan. Her repetitive lies about sniper fire in Bosnia. Her exaggerated foreign policy experience. Her dealing the race card better than Republicans. Clinton photo and prayer breakfast with Rev Wright. Clinton photo with Rezko. Her failure to get the endorsement of close friend Governor Bill Richardson. Her miserable failure to manage her own campaign (and husband). Her charlatan flip flop on pledged delegates and superdelegates by encouraging party elite to vote against the will of the people - “I believe strongly that in a democracy, we should respect the will of the people and to me, that means it’s time to do away with the Electoral College and move to the popular election of our president.” - Hillary Clinton in 2000
Posted by: Matt | May 6, 2008 1:19 AM
This is a very crucial election for the US.
If Americans make mistake and elect Hillary Clinton, she will be worse than any African president, even worse than Mugabe, because she has been around too long, since 1992.
What America needs now is either Obama or McCain.
Remember the Bosnia lie? That is just a drop in the ocean.
Posted by: Henry Owuor | May 6, 2008 3:24 AM
Despite what Obama says, he's not run a positive campaign. For him to say that Republicans will 'bring up' past family scandals---Michelle BEGAN her efforts publicly for her husband by dredging up 'scandalous' things LONG put to rest by Senator Clinton in her own campaign.
So why would he do that?
And why would he trash Hillary on the gas situation---instead of going forward with his OWN gas campaign?
Maybe he would still be a good veep. Hillary is a very forgiving person.
But when Michelle says she'd 'have to see how she feels' before working for HIllary--particularly after Hillary has promised that her entire family would work for the Obamas---that's problematic.
Posted by: Obamas are not Yet Ready | May 6, 2008 6:35 AM
Obama's Chickens Come Home to Roost too little, too late. The Wright controversy had revealed a major character flaw and calls into question his judgment once again and truthfulness of the candidate whose entire appeal has been based on character. Wright is like an uncle you love and respect As imperfect as he may be, he has been family to me for so many years, I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community” "I can no more disown him [Jeremiah Wright] than I can disown my white grandmother." a woman who once confessed her fear of black men after a black man had tried to shake her down for money. She gave him some, but he kept demanding more. "If the bus hadn't come, I think he might have hit me over the head," Obama says she told him. Rev Wright was right! Obama speech is ONLY for political purposes after the severe drop in polls!
Obama is now declaring himself shocked and disappointed at Wright's unrepentantly racist and anti-American views? Obamas obviously support his feelings of anti-America and white hatred that the church endorses to stay for 20 years and raise young daughters in that atmosphere Obama can no longer plausibly claim innocence in this matter, because he is the one who has encouraged Wright by trying to excuse and explain his views. All of this is why it is no use for Obama to backpedal from his association with Reverend Wright, or to denounce him now, six weeks too late. It was Obama who sought to provide the Reverend Wright with immunity from criticism--and he can't complain when the reverend tries to take full advantage of that immunity. This is the final collapse of the noble promise of the Obama campaign. The man who had once put himself forward as the candidate who would transcend racial politics once and for all has ended up legitimizing a Christian equivalent of Louis Farrakhan--and injecting him into the American political debate. http://www.dontvoteobama.net
Posted by: Obama's Chickens Come Home to Roost | May 6, 2008 7:09 AM
Obamas obviously support his feelings of anti-America and white hatred that the church endorses to stay for 20 years
Posted by: Obama's Chickens Come Home to Roost | May 6, 2008 7:09 AM
This coming from someone of a race that for over TWO HUNDRED YEARS felt it was proper and just to own a person of another race. From someone who even after they were freed felt it was proper and just to discriminate and withhold the right to vote for over another ONE HUNDRED YEARS. I think 20 years means nothing to your THREE HUNDRED YEARS.
Posted by: bill r. | May 6, 2008 7:51 AM
Someone robot called me saying bad things about Obama. So I have rewarded this behavior. An hour ago, I have voted....Obama.
Reverend Wright, anti-American? No, the man served his country. two years in the Marines and also Bethesda Naval where he took care of LBJ.
Posted by: Roy | May 6, 2008 7:55 AM
I wanted Clinton to win when she was in the ballot the beginning of the year, but as it went on I would have been satisfied if She an Obama lead the country. After I found out that while she was bludgeoning Obama about a lot of his issues, she "misspoke" about being under sniper fire. She flat out lied and tries to make light of it and we allow her. However the views of Obama's pastor are suddenly enough to make him a bad person. In reality Dr Wright will continue his life and he will not be the one leading the country. But even if he is, He was also the pastor of Oprah Winfrey. The same Oprah that everyone loves to watch.
The message I believe that clinton really has to say is said in how she defines her wins. That the big states were states she won but she is really for the little people. She's still trying to get Mi and Fl into the mix so she can win.
It's like seeing 2 Republicans versus 1 Democrat. I'll give you a hint, Clintons not the Democrat.
I do honestly believe that if by some miracle, she loses both states, She will not pull out and if she does she will switch parties to be running mates with McCain. That is how much faith I am having in the Clinton message these days.
We seem to forget that she became a republican to project a unity with her husband.
Posted by: Emmanuel | May 6, 2008 8:01 AM
Billary should pull her name out of the hat and save face. She/He is history....
Monica
Whitewatergate
Failed Healthcare
Snipergate
.... will always be their legacy....
Posted by: Mark S | May 6, 2008 8:16 AM
Dear Obama's Chickens Come Home to Roost: How many times will you cut and paste the same old chicken bleep? Guilt by association. Billary has not denounced the church of the convicted child molester. That is no more relevent to who to vote for for Hillary than your chicken bleep is to Obama.
Vote Obama
Posted by: Tom S | May 6, 2008 9:21 AM
Matt wrote
This is Hillary Clinton:, etc.
THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT BETTER THAN I COULD !!!
Hillary is a manipulative, conniving liar - I cannot believe how anyone can believe anything she says....
Posted by: Independent | May 6, 2008 10:24 AM
Dear Fellow Americans,
Our Great-grand Nation, the United States of America
is and will face very critical and substantial "Challenges" in coming,
months, years, and decades to come.
It is very essential that we pick out our next President on following criteria in mind.
1. A candidate with "Vision and Mission".
2. A candidate with " Stable Character and Integrity" .
3. A candidate with "Presidential Temperament" and
"stable Judgment".
4. A candidate with "little "Washington" exposure" and
"real connectedness with New Voters".
5. A candidate who "Inspires us up" rather than
"Tears us down".
6. A candidate not based on sexism, racism, and ageism.
In my professional and personal opinion, the only candidate who has the above qualities and characteristics and is also cool, calm, and collected is Senator Obama.
As an independent registered voter since 1980. I voted
for Carter, voted for Reagan, voted for First Bush,
and second Bush in 2000 and In the process last interest in Washington politics as usual and I stopped voting.Not a good idea under any circumstance particularly at present.
This time we can not afford to stay on side lines and
let Washington stay the same.We can not afford our Greatgreat Nation to become less than what we are and can be.
We need to send clear and candid message to the world
and some 24 hour partisan hateful media. These media
outlets are trying to deprive, dupe, and derail us
from getting it right this time.
They are trying there best to deny us better rather
than bitter future. { Our Greatgrand Nations people
are persistently and constantly subjected to Psychological terrorism" without their knowledge thru these hateful partisan media outlets.
We Americans are should not and would not to allow them
psychologically terrorized, traumatized and silence us this time.
I am sure that we will get it right this
time and elect Senator Obama our next President. let
us not get dragged down into racism, sexism and ageism.
Let us remember that our Greatgrand is constituted of
family, friends,fellowships, faith, funds,foundation, fun, and future with fairness and freedom and without fear or favor.
We can not afford to lose any of above. Let us stand
up, be counted, save, build our Greatgrand Nation for
centuries to come and regain our world economic, and power status back.
God Bless our Great grand Nation and its diverse people.
Our Greatgrand nation needs present and future stability, security, safety,sustained progress and restoration of our due status in this perilous Global World at the all levels.
Yours sincerely,
COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall
Forensic Psychiatrist.
Disables American Veteran.
Las Vegas Nevada.
Posted by: COL.[retd]A.M.Khajawall | May 6, 2008 10:25 AM
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports today what the hordes of Trib reporters following Obama somehow miss: that what Obama presents on the tv screen is a fraud:
"About three-quarters of the 9,000 people who turned up to see Barack Obama at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday evening were black. Yet, the section of seating directly behind where he spoke was filled overwhelmingly by whites.
The Obama campaign would not say how seats were allocated but it appeared as though a conscious decision had been made to ensure that television pictures showed the senator against a backdrop of white faces.
The apparent attempt at image control came amid mounting concern within the Obama camp about his declining popularity among white voters after weeks of racially charged debate on his ties to Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor."
Do the Trib reporters not see this? Or do they see it, but censor any mention of it?
Posted by: Bruce | May 6, 2008 10:28 AM
There is no legitimate reason for anyone to speak negatively about Senator Barack Obama simply because he knows someone whose views may differ. Don't we all? Mr. Obama is a man of character. He is decent, truthful, fair, and wants to unify this country! Why isn't anyone bringing up Hillary and Bill Clinton's involvement in the Whitewater real estate scandal and their VERY CLOSE AND LONG ASSOCIATION with convicted criminals, Jim and Susan McDougal? The Clintons lied about interests payments they claimed but never made on their tax returns. Also, the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of then Deputy White House counsel Vince Foster who was investigating the Whitewater matter is enough for me to NEVER want Hillary Rodham Clinton in office as president! It makes my skin crawl! She will do anything! That Whitewater scandal and the Monica Lewinsky affair is what kept Bill from focusing on the country during his tenure as president. Remember, Hillary superexaggerated FOUR times about dodging sniper fire during her apparently friendly trip to Bosnia and she is trying to pull the wool over America's eyes regarding providing temporary oil tax relief that all economists say is a bad idea. These issues of distrust or similar kinds of issues will keep Hillary from focusing on real issues and from being a good president. No one could pay me to vote for Hillary Clinton! EVER!!!
Posted by: PPG | May 6, 2008 10:45 AM
Senator Obama's economic policies sets him apart from all the candidates, which should be very helpful for growth and faster development. He has been able to get massive support from people across various demography, young and old, male and female, race, religion, social and economics. Never before in any election has any one seen, such a sea of humanity supporting someone with a common goal for a change. Wish him best of luck as we all pursue for this change and elect him for Democratic candidature as well as for the Presidency.
Posted by: SKannath (Consultant Ethical Governance) | May 6, 2008 10:56 AM
Posted by: Obama's Chickens Come Home to Roost | May 6, 2008 7:09 AM
The link you post leads to a very religiously biggoted site. Is that what you and Hillary stand for? Is she the candidate of intolerance?
There is nothing too low for the Clinton supporters.
Posted by: Hillary=hate | May 6, 2008 11:24 AM
Why should Hillary denounce the pastor who was convicted of child molestation?
Can some of you people not read or interpret news articles?? The guy who was convicted was from a TOWN called CLINTON. It had absolutely NOTHING to do with Hillary.
.
The news referred to him as a "former Clinton pastor." Clinton as in TOWN not PERSON.
Posted by: Angst | May 6, 2008 11:53 AM
Why not thank the Republicans for the Lewinski debacle? Look at the taxpayer money Ken Starr wasted and for what? To make it public that Bill got a little nooky? Monica was a willing and of-age participant.
No one makes mention of JFK and all his womanizing nor of Ted Kennedy's.
The Democrats needed to find a reason to keep the Dems out of the White House for the upcoming election and used Clinton to try to accomplish that.
Why not be angry at the Republicans for wasting all those taxpayer dollars?
Posted by: Angst | May 6, 2008 12:05 PM
re: Obamas are not Yet Ready
Nor is Rodham -- she has a lot less experience than Senator Obama.
Rodham would be BAD, BAD, BAD for this country and the world.
She is behind in ALL metrics that speak to her READINESS for the presidency.
You are very disillusioned. You are refusing to look at the facts.
If Rodham is elected, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!!!
Posted by: BillForObama | May 6, 2008 12:16 PM
Hillary is going to win Indiana and come very close in North Carolina. Keep going Hillary!!!
Posted by: Ellen | May 6, 2008 1:11 PM
I have may favorite as well. However, regardless of the winner - we need to unite behind whoever get the not as ONE PARTY! This is the only way to ensure a DEM gets to the White House.
Posted by: rjinchicago | May 6, 2008 1:39 PM
People in Northwest Indiana are smart unlike the rest of the state. They are more like Chicagoans so I'm confident they'll turn out for Obama!
Posted by: StCMan | May 6, 2008 1:57 PM
Lets look into what kind of church she belongs to? Sorry but the Repubs want Hillary and all the baggage will be challenged. If Barrack survives he will be more prepared and the effects wont hurt him as much as it does now. Big concern is the Dems Party cannot afford to lose the black vote, the party cant win without them.
Posted by: Johnny | May 6, 2008 3:04 PM