Hoosier Hysteria

It only took 40 years, but Indiana is finally being visited by the presidential candidates. Obama took on the Gentleman from Arizona during his visit to Roosevelt High School in Gary, Ind., and discussed his experiences with laid off mill workers. He noted that a withdrawal from Iraq would take about 16 months and last into 2010. Obama told a crowd at that "I'm going to need a big turnout in Northwest Indiana to win this primary." The prospect of that must terrify Indiana's Democratic Party. The primary is held in May specifically to prevent a big turnout at the polls. Obama's visit is the first time in 40 years since a presidential candidate has stumped in Gary. The last one to do so was Robert Kennedy in 1969. Hillary Clinton, who is being supported by Sen. Evan Bayh, is set to make her second stop in da' Region on Saturday with a visit to Valparaiso, Ind. She has tellingly stepped around Gary. Remarkably, Indiana is a toss up in this primary. So far the national media have been busy elsewhere, namely Pennsylvania. It took 40 years for Indiana to become relevant to the presidential race. Let's hope it doesn't have to wait another 40 before the candidates and the national media have to take notice.