From The Hotline Latest Edition for Tuesday, April 29,2008

INDIANA (5/6 PRIMARY)

Mmmmm ... Carmel

Tue. Apr. 29, 2008


The tight race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has their camps "looking even in the most-Republican corners" of IN for voters. Bill Clinton traveled 4/28 "to the GOP stronghold of Carmel a day after visiting" other IN communities "that rarely favor" Dems. The Obama camp "is scouring similar territory for votes."

"Carmel High School students filled most of the seats in the school's gym to hear" B. Clinton, "with a few hundred members of the public joining them." B. Clinton "gave a policy-laden speech," drawing "the biggest response when he talked about efforts backed by his wife to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end the war in Iraq."

The Obama camp sent ex-Rep. Tim Roemer (D) "to rally Obama supporters in Elkhart and Goshen. Those are the largest communities" in northern IN's Elkhart Co. -- which backed Pres. Bush better than 2-to-1 over John Kerry." Roemer: "We're scrapping and scraping for every vote we can get. He doesn't throw red meat out there to try to divide the parties" (AP, 4/29).

IN Clinton dir. Robby Mook held a conference with reporters 4/28 a.m. "discussing what Clinton will plan to do in her upcoming campaign stops. Clinton will do larger town hall meeting and rallies as she's been doing, Mook said, but' she'll also focus on smaller gatherings." Mook "reiterated the campaign's call for an Indiana debate with Obama" (Ronco, South Bend Tribune, 4/29).

The Midwest Farmer's Daughters Really Make You Feel Alright

In an Indianapolis Star Poll, Clinton "is way ahead" among white women, winning the support of 48% compared with 29% for Obama. "Ann Lewis, a longtime adviser to both Clinton and her husband" came to a house party 4/28 with about 50 women. The Obama camp 4/28 kicked of its IN Women for Obama organization, led by Dem vice chair Cordelia Lewis-Burks. Clinton has IN women, including ex-first lady Judy O'Bannon and ex-LG Kathy Davis campaigning for her (Schneider, Indianapolis Star, 4/29).