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Sen. Barack Obama at the UAW Local 550 Union Hall in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. ( Chicago Tribune photo by Zbigniew Bzdak )
by John McCormick
During his brief visit to Indianapolis this morning, Sen. Barack Obama stopped by a union hall for UAW Local 550 and predicted a win in Indiana.
About a dozen volunteers were making get-out-the-vote calls when Obama arrived to appear before the cameras and try to motivate supporters.
Asked about his confidence in winning a state that has not backed a Democrat for president since 1964, Obama said he thinks he can change that pattern.
"I think we can win Indiana, otherwise I wouldn't be in Indiana," he said, according to a pool report of the visit.
Obama is now headed back to Chicago, where he is to do satellite interviews into battleground states and play some basketball, a voting day tradition for him.











Comments
He is rather arrogant, isn't he. After all he can change the minds of his adversaries just by talking to them. Hee Hee.
Posted by: Eric | November 4, 2008 12:44 PM
Go Obama go!! Please vote Obama/Biden, Indiana. Thank you!!!
Posted by: RuthieM | November 4, 2008 12:46 PM
GObama/Biden! Let's take Indiana too!
Posted by: jem | November 4, 2008 12:50 PM
The headline of this blurb is misleading. Saying "I think we can win" is not the same as predicting a win (e.g. "We will win.").
Posted by: Brian | November 4, 2008 12:54 PM
As a native Hoosier, I want to see Indiana make history today. LET'S GO!!
Posted by: Turbo | November 4, 2008 12:56 PM
My friend lives in Indiana and it is going all the way for McCain. Stay in Chi town Barrack and save your time.
Posted by: sandi | November 4, 2008 12:56 PM
Nothing arrogant at all.
McCain said he was going to pull off the greatest upset in history.
If one isn't confidant, one shouldn't be playing the game.
Posted by: Tom Kaye | November 4, 2008 12:57 PM
Hoosiers are smarter than that unless ACORN and Gary use Barry Hussein's Chicago method of voting early and often.
Posted by: Den C | November 4, 2008 12:59 PM
Change is coming to the world!
Posted by: Eddie | November 4, 2008 1:00 PM
why do we always have to be so nasty towards one another.
This type of lanuage is so sick
Posted by: p.davis | November 4, 2008 1:05 PM
Tom, yea it's arrogant when Obama is confident but just confident when McCain is arrogant!...the double-standard and hypocrisy coming from the far right is mind-numbing!
GET INDIANA O! SHOW 'EM! AND WHILE YOU'RE AT IT, TAKE AZ FROM MCBUSH!
Posted by: Alison | November 4, 2008 1:06 PM
He has a shot at Indiana. Who would have thought this possible a year ago. He has earned a little swagger. Imagine - a black candidate breaking Nixon's Southern Strategy as well as competing in the Midwest and West. Good for you, Senator Obama.
Posted by: Rickster | November 4, 2008 1:13 PM
Hoosiers for Obama!!! (And Boilermakers, too! ;))
Posted by: Allie | November 4, 2008 1:15 PM
THIS HOOSIER VOTED FOR OBAMA!
Posted by: Sara | November 4, 2008 1:21 PM
I think Republicans are starting to dislike their far right counterparts, keep in mind that 26% of americans still think george bush is doing a good job, they do NOT speak for the rest of us, these are the people that come on these blogs and call Obama a terrorist and say that Palin is amazing. After this election lets hope they go into hibernation so we can get some real work done dems/independents/moderate republicans togther
Posted by: joey skins | November 4, 2008 1:27 PM
Yay! Go Obama!
Posted by: Sanuk | November 4, 2008 1:29 PM
Forget all you haters that think confidence is arrogant!
I'm ready for my vote to count for a CHANGE! let's turn this old red state BLUE and make some history!! Go Obama!!
Posted by: Chesney | November 4, 2008 1:31 PM
This is Indiana's big chance to redeem itself for having been Ku Klux Klan central back when EVERY state in the U.S. had a klan chapter.
Posted by: So much history we were just never told--we can overcome it today | November 4, 2008 1:32 PM
A note to Eric... call it ARROGANCE... or call it CONFIDENCE... Either way you call it, we're going to win!! GO OBAMA! The US will change as you know it!
Posted by: Dana | November 4, 2008 1:35 PM
As long as BHO can hide his true disdain for other industries besides the coal industry, it is merely a race. Will America find out enough about this Marxist before it is too late? Or will he set the table for breaking the record on campaign lies? I trust the American people are not dumb enough to elect this inexperienced phony elitist.
Posted by: T Lavins | November 4, 2008 1:38 PM
Right now -- YOU can change your life and change the world. Forget knocking anyone - its time to move forward and make a better life for your children, your parents and yourself. Its YOUR time now. Obama/08.
Posted by: nathan | November 4, 2008 1:39 PM
Like in 2000, and 2004 - each State will make a stand and go down in history. Either being historically wrong - like many were for BUSH in the last two elections, or historically correct as I believe they have a chance to now be for OBAMA.
THROW DA BUMS OUT!
Posted by: Wake Up Pleas | November 4, 2008 1:46 PM
sandi
I, alone, knocked on 670 doors in 5 different areas in Indiana. Even "republican" areas, and i would say 85% said they were voting for Obama. And these were mostly older white men and women. It was the same thing over and over, "it's time for change". He may not win it, but its going to be close.
(on Saturday alone Obama vluneers had knocked on 250,000 doors)
Posted by: Veronica | November 4, 2008 1:51 PM
Indiana voters: In exchange for
voting for Barak Obama I will forever
be an Indianapolis Colt fan, an Indiana
State, Butler, Depauw Tigers fan,
Wabash cannonball fan, James Dean,
Michael Jackson, Eugene Debs,
John Cougar Mellencamp fan, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr fan and of course Elwood resident, Wendell Willkie
Posted by: mike lavin | November 4, 2008 1:55 PM
I'm living in Quebec city and from here the debate seems really nasty...it is hard for Canadians to understand. What stroke me the most...some attacks are so personnal.
Posted by: Jean-Jacques | November 4, 2008 2:09 PM
As a native Hoosier who was not raised in the Democratic bastion of the Calumet Region, I will be shocked if Obama wins Indiana. Pleased, but shocked
Posted by: mike | November 4, 2008 2:11 PM
NO Way arrogant's, he is positively speaking. Even the Bible's word say's to call things that are just not as if they were. Go Obama the voters have your back.
Posted by: Rose Mary Walker | November 4, 2008 2:13 PM
As a Hooiser, I FULLY support Obama. Every day on my way home, I see Obama signs all over in people's yards. Some McCain, but even more Obama. I have even seen them in rural areas. So don't give up on us yet!
Posted by: Jane | November 4, 2008 2:15 PM
I am from Indiana and I voted for Barack Obama. Always, Indiana was/is taken for granted by the Republicans. Obama actually acknowledged the loss of jobs in Indiana. The concerns that come from Obama are the concerns of Hoosiers.
White, Female, 40 yrs old
Posted by: Kay | November 4, 2008 2:18 PM
The whole world is watching!!
Go Obama/Biden 2008
We need you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Linda B. | November 4, 2008 2:20 PM
Indiana has voted Republican in 16 of the 17 Presidential elections since 1936. He really should be a bit more modest.
Posted by: KAG | November 4, 2008 2:22 PM
I used to live in Indiana and was always dismayed by my vote for a Democrat 'not counting'. If only I were there now and could help make history! I just hope that voters aren't deterred by lines and/or thoughts of not being needed by Obama.
OBAMA SUPPORTERS - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!!
Posted by: Stevie | November 4, 2008 2:28 PM
Take it from a real Marxist, Obam's not a Marxist. Old Karl would dismiss him as a wishy-washy reformer whose election will only succeed in blunting the real anger of the working class, thus guaranteeing the continuation of capitalism. Most Americans wouldn't recognize a Marxist if one bit them in the butt.
Posted by: Chris H-B | November 4, 2008 2:29 PM
It's time for the people of Indiana who've felt ignored and dismissed to step up to the plate and belt one out of the park for Barack Obama.
Posted by: David | November 4, 2008 2:39 PM
Another Hoosier vote for Obama!!!!
Posted by: phylosopher | November 4, 2008 3:04 PM
I've been a hard working, well paid, registered "Rush Limbaugh" type Republican for some 30 years.
Following a 2005 work injury deemed "pre-existing" by an insurance co. who denied spinal surgery, I am now permanently disabled.
My former party is an embarrassment who has turned its head from nearly every form of corporate corruption. VOTE OBAMA !!!
Posted by: Scott | November 4, 2008 3:14 PM
To Chris H-B: I completely agree that Americans wouldn't know a Marxist if one bit them in the butt. I'm a capitalist myself, but I'm so sick and tired of people assigning labels such as "Marxist" and "socialist" to someone when they really have no idea what Marxism and socialism are. GO OBAMA!
Posted by: Megan | November 4, 2008 3:15 PM
I've lived in Indiana my entire life and I voted for Obama. I volunteered at the Democratic headquarters near where I live last Saturday and have never worked with a nicer group of people. Obama seems to bring out the best in people and has given me the confidence that we can work together to make this crazy world we live in better for everyone. Obama has a very calming effect when he speaks and gives people the hope I believe we all need right now. I would be so proud if Indiana went blue this year. Good luck Senator Obama! This Hoosier and my entire family are behind you 100%!!!
Posted by: Laura | November 4, 2008 3:40 PM
Oil is already up over $70 a barrel up $6 today because they are prediciting an Obama win. The democrats already have said that they are going to ban off-source drilling. Obama is going to bankrupt the coal industry and the nuclear plants in this country are getting close to being decommissioned. Where are we going to get our energy independence from? We still have a few hours left folks, go out and vote for John McCain.
Posted by: dusty | November 4, 2008 3:42 PM
You know it amazes me how someone can say the same thing and be perceived as confident. Senator Obama makes the statement and is perceived as arrogant. Go figure!
Posted by: SaintDiva1 | November 4, 2008 3:54 PM
Well. . .I voted for Obama here in Terre Haute, Indiana (home of Eugene V. Debs, by the way). We are conservative, but we're not STUPID!!
I always vote for Senator Lugar, by the way--who is deceptively Republican.
Labels really don't work very well.
Posted by: Barbara | November 4, 2008 3:54 PM
I agree with p. davis"let's not be so hateful to one another".Please do not let talk radio and those who want to divide us put such hate in our minds. We are all wanting the best for our country. I have been working the phone banks here in Bloomington, IN. I've spent this morning knocking on doors and offering rides to the polls. I really want to see my red state turn blue. Go Colts, Go Hoosiers, Gobama!!
Posted by: Deb | November 4, 2008 3:58 PM
I've got two words for you...."President Obama"....
Posted by: Nancy | November 4, 2008 5:10 PM
I vote for obama. It is such a huge thing.
Posted by: Famous Quotes | December 7, 2008 8:58 AM