Indiana supports first Democratic president in 44 years
For the first time in more than 40 years, Indiana helped elect a Democratic president.
Politics
Articles
Change begins with everyone, not just Obama
Sen. Barack Obama’s election and call for change and hope, as well as Ind. Gov. Mitch Daniels’ re-election after
dramatic changes, shows that Americans can become successful again.
Obama, Daniels and Indiana
Change agents Barack Obama and Mitch Daniels won over Hoosiers yesterday, but from different ends of the
political spectrum.
Barack Obama took the state after a campaign in which he promised to increase regulations on business, raise
taxes on…
Costumes for the politically astute
Whatever costume you wore on Halloween, let Joe the Plumber, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Tyrannosaurus Rex, President
Bush, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Sgt. Joe Friday and other characters of this election cycle continue to spark a lively
dialogue with your friends, family and neighbors.
Obama raising more money in Indiana, but business interests stick with McCain
Republican Sen. John McCain has been unable to achieve the same Indiana fund-raising edge on his Democratic opponent that
President George W. Bush did in past elections. Bush rang up an Indiana fund-raising advantage of $1.7 million over Sen. John
Kerry in 2004, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And his popularity in Indiana allowed
him to spend those dollars to help him campaign in other states while easily winning Indiana’s electoral
votes. But this election, Sen. Barack Obama had outraised Republican John McCain by $360,000 through the end of August, when
McCain’s decision to take public campaign funds forced him to stop raising funds directly for himself.
Obama did not take public funds, and so has continued to raise money.
As politics finds new mediums, local firms are along for the ride
In this year’s election cycle, the policy watchword is "change." But amid the partisan debate, another type of
change is revolutionizing the way candidates track voters and spread messages. Communication tools like
text messaging, social networking and YouTube are increasingly integral to successful politics.
Gubernatorial candidates Daniels, Thompson see economic development differently
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson promises to buoy Indiana’s slumping rural counties with a three-tiered
incentive plan. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has a different vision for stoking the state economy. He wants to build on Indiana’s
strengths–such as world-class research at universities–to innovate and create jobs.
A historian previews the election
Jerry Handfield hasnâ??t lived in Indiana since 2001, when he moved to Washington to take a similar job overseeing
that stateâ??s archives.
But Handfield still keeps tabs on Indiana. So much so that he checks the Weather Channel when tornadoes
rip…
Race and the Obama vote
Yet another poll shows the contest between John McCain and Barack Obama as too close to call in Indiana.
The WISH-TV Channel 13 survey has each with 46 percent of likely voters.
With margins like this, the election could…
Bloodbath on Wall Street
Thereâ??s no time like an election to make politicians nervous about taking a stand on a controversial issue,
and this afternoonâ??s House vote on the $700 billion bailout plan is no exception.
Many Republicans and some Democrats, leery about facing voters…
What ails Jill?
If any governor were vulnerable to a strong challenge in a re-election campaign, it should have been Mitch
Daniels, who has made a lot of Hoosiers mad by pushing daylight saving time, leasing the Indiana Toll Road
and in general…
Sarah Palin’s influence on Indiana
Sarah Palin won rave reviews for her speech last night at the Republican National Convention, as did Barack
Obama when he closed the Democratic convention last week.
This morning, the Associated Press quoted Democratic Party leaders in Indiana as saying Palin…
Less zing in Daniels’ second term?
Mitch Daniels ran for governor four years ago promising to shake things up, and it would be hard to argue
that he hasnâ??t followed through.
Daylight saving time passed. Cigarette taxes were raised to fund health insurance. Property taxes were reformed.
What…
Susan Bayh as a political liability
Barack Obama is expected to announce his vice presidential running mate any day now, and Evan Bayhâ??s name
is still thought to be on the short list.
The Indiana senator is viewed as a moderate who would counter Obamaâ??s liberal voting…
Schellinger looks back
The Democratic primary race between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and winner Barack Obama attracted
so much attention that the Indiana governorâ??s race got short shrift â?? and the governorâ??s race still isnâ??t
getting the respect it deserves.
Thatâ??s how Jim Schellinger…
Base closings and health care
Weâ??ve reached the season when companies start lining up employee health care coverage for the following year.
Like prior years, companies will complain about skyrocketing costs and workers will complain about getting
fewer benefits. Study after study suggests both parties will…
Raise the cigarette tax again?
Health advocates beamed with a â??told-you-soâ?? response this week when state officials announced that cigarette
sales dropped dramatically after taxes were raised last July.
Sales fell nearly 18 percent, apparently a direct result of boosting the tax 44 cents to a…
Economy jitters won’t go away
Exit polls yesterday showed Hoosiers voted their pocketbooks. Theyâ??re worried about the economy.
That has a familiar ring. Many voters made a similar point four years ago when Gov. Mitch Daniels beat
Gov. Joe Kernan by promising to improve the economy.
Now,…
The big day is here
Weâ??ve experienced, or maybe endured, one of most intense campaign seasons in memory here in Indiana.
Perhaps you were one of the people who pollsters and news organization kept saying would turn this primary
election, the undecideds.
If you voted in the…
Leaders disagree about Clinton, Obama preference
The topic of health care sparked the most spirited comments from business leaders interviewed by IBJ ahead of the May 6 presidential
primary. When asked whether they thought Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton would be better for business, executives in manufacturing,
exporting, computer technology, logistics and education largely demurred.