Obama's Friday night in Indiana

by Erika Slife

After a presidential campaign that's lasted nearly two years Sen. Barack Obama told thousands of Indiana supporters who came out to see him on Halloween night that he was happy to be in familiar territory.

"It's good to be so close to home," Obama shouted in his opening line.

While back in the Midwest Obama had been able to squeeze in trick-or-treating with his two daughters in Chicago Friday between campaign rallies, but he made it clear that his Republican opponent John McCain was not far from his mind with only four days before the election.

"You know I just came back, my girls were doing some trick-or-treating, and, you know, Malia and Sasha, each year, every year, they've got trouble deciding what they want to be for Halloween," Obama said.

"But John McCain didn't have that problem. Just like every year, he's going as George W. Bush," Obama added.

Although Indiana has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968 Obama is stumping in the Hoosier State with polls showing it within his reach.

On Halloween night, more than 40,000 people descendedon Highland Wicker Memorial Park in Lake County, according to estimates by Obama's campaign. A spillover crowd pressed against the construction barriers.

"Indiana is going to be close, but he's going to win," said Jason Lynch, 38, of Munster, who arrived more than three hours early to hear Obama speak.

Obama sought to define a clear difference between him and McCain.

"The choice in this election isn't between tax cuts and no tax cuts. John McCain and I both want to give tax cuts," Obama said. "This is about whether you believe we should only reward wealth by giving tax breaks to the wealthiest. Or whether we should also reward work by giving tax breaks to the workers who create wealth."

Obama encouraged Indiana residents to get out and cast their ballots.

"Remember you can vote early here in Indiana," he said.

Obama's final push over the weekend will take him into Nevada, Colorado, Missouri and Ohio. But before he left the Midwest he sought to mobilize voters by encouraging them not to get complacent.

"Don't believe for a second that this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power will concede without a fight. We have to work like our future depends on it these last four days because it does," he said.

"But know this, Indiana: The time for change has come."

Indiana resident Melissa Vera, 38, of Munster, said she has never seen voters so enthusiastic.

"To see people early vote today -- it was a four-hour wait -- I've never seen that before," Vera said. "It's inspiring to see so many people out."