A few random thoughts:

1. If we see McCain or Palin campaigning there before election day, my guess is, the state is already lost. Palin was there already, but one visit isn't indicative of a trend. Any more time or resources devoted to the state tells me that the McCain camp is just flailing around and the absolute best case is a very, very small win.

2. Or maybe the state is already lost, a la shades of Tennessee for Gore in 2000.

3. How great must it be for the person who is running the campaign in this state? Even if they end up losing by two points, the person could probably increase their fees by quite a bit.

McCain has had nearly no presence at all, in part taking it for granted and partly relying on the GOP governor's re-election campaign to do his GOTV for him.

They learned nothing from the Democratic primary. You would have thought that the McCain campaign might have had the good sense to consider whether they should take anything for granted. Or maybe they just thought the whole 50 (22) state strategy was a joke.

As Howard Dean said, people won't vote for you if you don't even ask them to. Obama's campaign has been asking for months now, and McCain's taking the vote for granted.

Not to belabor the point, or anything, but the sheer ineptitude of the McCain campaign should raise real doubts in the minds of moderate Republicans.

Whether Obama wins Indiana or not, the mere fact that he's forcing McShame to move scare resources there from other states is a victory in and of itself.

MSNBC's Chuck Todd said he was told by rethug sources that McCain has no GOTV effort in Florida or Pennsylvania.

Obama campaigns in Indianapolis, IN on thursday morning before heading to Hawaii.

Speaking as a Hoosier, I think Indiana is definitely winnable for Obama. He has an awesome ground game here. McLame has nothing. Yeah this is a Republican state, but people are definitely sick of Bush et al. The rural vote might be a tough sell for Obama, but if he can GOTV in the cities, I think he can flip this state.

I am seeing tons of Obama ads. Only a few for McLame, and most of those were done by the RNC, not the McLame campaign itself. I still think McLame is taking us for granted, and he shouldn't be.

Indiana,

Michigan here. You know, we've had our differences. Sometimes it seems like we look down at you more than we look down on Ohio. I know I've implied that your residents are into bestiality and cannibalism. I apologize for those remarks. They were out of line.

You have some good things to offer. Illegal fireworks -- I love them, though I would never think of shooting them off here, of course. And the Amish. I once had a great bowl of chicken soup -- the best ever, really -- at an Amish restaurant. And let us not forget the flea market of Shipshawana. And you gave the world David Letterman. And Indiana's only Democrat, John Melloncamp.

I could really warm up to you, Indiana. Even, dare I say, love you, if you go for Barack Obama and Joe Biden in a couple weeks. I'll at least respect you the next morning.

Sincerely,
Michigan

Ref: "relying on the GOP governor's re-election campaign to do his GOTV for him."

It is this reliance on State in every battleground and economically hard hit state that has left McLame with zero chances of crossing 200 electors. They just chose to ignore what happened in 2006. As a consequence, they will be losing states like Indiana.

Everyone see this???

http://wvgazette.com/News/200810180251

How many "not since '64" states are in play? Indiana, Virginia, North Dakota, maybe Montana. Any others?

It is way too early to gloat. However, if you are a Republican war hero losing to a truly inexperienced bi-racial guy who sandwiches the name Hussein in between Barak and Obama, there is only one place to start looking for the blame. Bush. Obama deserves a world of credit, but they will not give him any. So if they want a scapegoat, Georgie boy is not only convenient, he is the proper choice.

I'm not so sanguine about Indiana. Grew up in the state and have lots of relatives smeared all over--upstate farms, Indianapolis (and its exurbs), and downstate too. They've all been Republican for years--some border on wingnuttery, relatively few are "persuadable." I know this is all anecdotal.

I remember Mark Shields comment on PBS in 2000 on election night when Indiana was called by MSM. Lehrer asked, "Any news there, Mark?" Shields: "Not really. Look, if the GOP nominated Charles Manson, Indiana would go Republican."

Now that they HAVE nominated Charles Mansion, my gut still tells me that Indiana will go Republican. I wish I could be more optimistic, but I'm not.

I live in Carmel Indiana. When Obama talks about the 5% who will get tax increases because they make over $250,000, a lot of those people live in Carmel. (I am not one of them, but they are here). When I drive around town I see 5 Obama bumper stickers for every one McCain/Palin sticker. In 2000 and 2004 it seemed everyone had a "W" sticker on their car. I have no doubt that McCain will win Hamilton County Indiana. But I do think most of the voters are voting for him while holding their noses.

I guess what I am saying is that there is very little visible support for McCain in a deep, deep red area of Indiana. I really think that there is a chance for Obama in Indiana because there is no McCain presence. I also think Indiana has been ignored in every election of my lifetime except for the time Dan Quayle was the VP. (And let me apologize on behalf of the state for that.) I think the state is liking the attention it is getting because we finally matter. And Obama is the only one paying attention to us right now.

Born and raised in Indiana, where my first year in college my political science teacher pointed out that over 85% of those who get a college education leave the state (that was back in 1981), I have to say that it is quite an accomplishment for Senator Obama to have reached the possibility of winning in the state.

I am very curious to see where the 'red states' are in polling a week from now...

Two weeks to go is a little too early to celebrate. Hell, I did the Homer Simpson dance when they called Florida for Gore (and I didn't even like Gore) and I still regret that. There's still lots of work to be done--and precinct walking is good for you too.

Of course Obama will win Indiana. All of the Obama staffers that won Michigan were sent down there last week. They definitely know how to play this game.