On the heels of his second debate with Senator John McCain, Senator Barack Obama held a “Change We Need” rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis on Wednesday, October 8th. This cool, rainy day marked the Senator’s sixth visit to the state since the end of the primary season. According to Robert L. Miller II of the Division of Fire & Building Safety, an estimated 21,000 supporters attended the rally. Obama spoke of the financial and housing crisis, the previous night’s debate, and the soaring price of home heating costs.
Senator Obama described the anxiety, fear and panic many Americans feel now, but explained that we can overcome the challenges by American resolve. The Senator related why he believes the country will succeed. He stated that Americans have the “fundamental belief that here in America, our destiny is not written for us, it is written by us. We make the decision about how we’re going to move forward.”
He went on to provide specific details of his education, tax cut and healthcare plans. He spoke passionately of his mother’s battle with ovarian cancer and struggles she had with her insurance company.
While Senator Obama spoke to Hoosiers in Indianapolis, his opponent, Senator John McCain, was in Pennsylvania speaking to his own supporters.
Referencing the second debate and sticking to one of the campaign’s main talking points, the Senator said, “In last night’s debate, John McCain and I each had the chance to make the case for change – to talk about what we would do differently from the last eight years… But all we heard from Senator McCain was more of the same Bush economics that led us to this point.”
Senator Evan Bayh, once rumored to be a contender for the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, opened for Senator Obama. Prior to introducing Senator Obama, Bayh announced to a thunderous crowd,”In three and a half months, the Bush administration will be done, gone, finished forever.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson also spoke to the large crowd. Long Thompson is running against Republican incumbent, Mitch Daniels. While supporters waved “Ditch Mitch” signs, Long Thompson shouted, “We can’t afford four more years of George Bush, John McCain and Mitch Daniels.”
The state of Indiana has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. President Johnson was also the last Democratic Presidential nominee to campaign in the state, forty-four years ago. According to The Star Press, Senator McCain is leading in the state with a three point advantage officially making Indiana a key battleground state. In the lead up to election day, the state has been visited again by Senator Obama, Michelle Obama and Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin.
The Big Ten Battleground Poll has Obama leading McCain in Indiana by nine points. Other polls, like the Indiana General Election Poll of Polls, show a tighter race. CNN reports that Obama has spent approximately $11,823,690 advertising in this state.
Mecca is a 1L and can be reached at forum@valpo.edu.
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