May 7, 2008
Posted: 11:30 AM ET

From
 CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.
CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN) – It was a split decision — with a substantial win for Sen. Barack Obama and a razor-thin victory for Sen. Hillary Clinton — in the North Carolina and Indiana Democratic primaries.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider breaks down exit polling data from Tuesday by age, race, and gender.

Suzanne Malveaux was with the Clinton camp on primary night, and has an inside look at the candidate’s next moves. Will Clinton fight to have the Florida and Michigan delegations seated? How will the New York senator raise the money she needs to continue her battle against Obama and his fundraising juggernaut? What arguments is she readying for her party’s superdelegates? Malveaux has all the answers – straight from sources inside the Clinton campaign.

Despite Clinton’s commitment to soldier on through the remaining contests, the math of the Democratic Party’s proportional pledged delegate allocation is working against her. Chief National Correspondent John King uses CNN’s “Magic Wall” to explain Clinton’s uphill battle to secure the delegates necessary to claim the nomination.

The next Democratic contest is in West Virginia, and CNN’s Jim Acosta is already on the ground there. Acosta takes a look at the demographics and issues in the state before Clinton and Obama face off there.

Finally, in a special post-primary version of his “What if?” series, CNN Special Correspondent Frank Sesno takes a look at what might happen at the Democratic convention if Democrats have not settled on a nominee before the party gathers in August.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily.

Filed under: Barack Obama • CNN=Politics Daily • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • North Carolina


Posted: 01:11 AM ET

CNN projects that Hillary Clinton wins Indiana primary

Track county-by-county results here.

Filed under: Indiana


Posted: 01:10 AM ET

From

(CNN) – Gary, Indiana Mayor Rudy Clay defended the decision to hold back primary results in Lake County until more than 11,000 absentee ballots were tallied.

“We don’t want to present figures to anyone that’s not correct,” Clay, the county Democratic chairman and a Barack Obama supporter, told Wolf Blitzer shortly before CNN called Indiana for Hillary Clinton. “We’re counting them as we speak. This should all be over shortly.”

The county went for Obama, but not by a wide enough margin to erase Clinton’s narrow lead. With 99 percent of the vote counted, CNN projects that Clinton wins Indiana's Democratic primary.

Filed under: Indiana


May 6, 2008
Posted: 10:51 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch CNN Political Researcher Alan Silverleib on Tuesday's exit polls.

(CNN) — Watch CNN Political Research Alan Silverleib as he speaks with CNN.com's Melissa Long and gives a historical perspective to Tuesday's exit polling data.

 

Filed under: Barack Obama • Exit Polls • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • North Carolina


Posted: 06:56 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch Bill Schneider on Tuesday night's exit polling data.

(CNN) — Watch CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider break down exit polling data about whether supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton would support Sen. Barack Obama if he wins the Democratic nomination and vice versa.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Schneider • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • John McCain • North Carolina


Posted: 10:45 AM ET

From
CNN

Watch John King break down different regions of Indiana and North Carolina.

(CNN) – Watch Chief National Correspondent John King use CNN’s Magic Wall to explain how the demographics in certain parts of Indiana and North Carolina may favor Sen. Hillary Clinton or her rival Sen. Barack Obama in Tuesday’s primaries.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • North Carolina


Posted: 10:15 AM ET

From
CNN

Watch Query and Stacy discuss Indiana's Democratic primary.

(CNN) – Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Indiana is a major test for three campaigns: Hillary Clinton’s Barack Obama’s — and Rush Limbaugh’s.

Because many Republicans believe Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, has a better chance of beating Clinton in the general election, Limbaugh has encouraged listeners to his popular radio show to vote for the New York senator. Limbaugh’s pro-Clinton campaign has been dubbed “Operation Chaos.”

Some exit polls from Ohio and Texas suggest that Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos” may have had an impact on results in both states.

Indiana “is so red and so Republican,” said Indianapolis radio host Jake Query, that one of the interesting questions on Tuesday “is how many people who are actually registered Republicans will now switch over for this primary and vote” for Clinton.

“There is some talk about that, there really is,” Query’s co-host Terri Stacy said Tuesday about Limbaugh’s campaign in favor of Clinton.

Query and Stacy host a morning news show on Indianapolis radio station WIBC. They discussed Indiana’s Democratic primary with CNN’s Alina Cho on American Morning. Indiana’s open primary system allows supporters of the Republican Party to vote in Tuesday’s Democratic contest between Clinton and Obama.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • Rush Limbaugh


May 2, 2008
Posted: 03:58 PM ET

From , , ,
Sen. Hillary Clinton makes a campaign stop in Kinston, North Carolina, on Friday
Sen. Hillary Clinton makes a campaign stop in Kinston, North Carolina, on Friday

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama stumped for last-minute votes in Indiana and North Carolina Friday ahead of the states' Tuesday primaries.

New polls show Clinton narrowing Obama's lead in North Carolina, once seen as an easy win for Obama.

Polling in Indiana shows the two candidates running dead even.

"We are seeing terrific support all across Indiana and all across North Carolina … I have no doubt these are going to be tight races. This campaign has been tight throughout," Obama said in Indianapolis, Indiana, Friday morning.

"But I am very confident the American people are looking for the kind of truth telling and serious policy making that is going to have an affect on heir lives, and as long as I'm talking about the issues."

Read the rest of the story

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • North Carolina


Posted: 10:12 AM ET

From
Obama is running a second Indiana ad making his case against a gas tax holiday.
Obama is running a second Indiana ad making his case against a gas tax holiday.

(CNN) – The Obama campaign released another Indiana response ad Friday to a Hillary Clinton spot that takes aim at his opposition to a gas tax holiday.

“Pennies” – his second ad on the issue — includes quotes from critics who accuse the Clinton campaign of “political pandering.”

On a Thursday conference call with reporters, Clinton senior adviser Geoff Garin said that internal polling suggested her proposal was resonating with primary voters reeling from the impact of rising gas prices.

(Full script follows after the jump)

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Ads • Barack Obama • Indiana


Posted: 09:26 AM ET

(CNN) — The Indianapolis Star, Indiana’s largest paper, endorsed Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid Friday.

The paper praised the New York senator’s “clear-eyed view of the way things are,” and gave her the edge on experience and toughness, pointing to pressing domestic and international crises, writing that “Hillary Clinton is the better choice, based on her experience and grasp of major issues, to confront those challenges.”

The editorial board also said it was a difficult choice – writing that the New York senator “regrettably has pandered more to voters” than Obama, adding that some of her political experience on her husband, former President Bill Clinton’s, behalf “understandably gives many voters pause about whether another Clinton should serve as president.”

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • Indiana


May 1, 2008
Posted: 12:12 PM ET

From
CNN

Joe Andrews said he wants to see an Obama-Bayh Ticket.

(CNN) — Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Joe Andrew — who was appointed to that post in 1999 by then-President Clinton — is withdrawing his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, and backing Barack Obama instead.

Andrew, who made a Thursday morning appearance at Obama's state headquarters in Indianapolis, said the time had come to "heal the rift in this party and unite behind Barack Obama now."

On a conference call with reporters and Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, Andrew said superdelegates need to make their decisions "now." He added that he'd like to see Obama pick Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh — a strong Clinton backer who has said the Jeremiah Wright controversy would pose general election problems for the Illinois senator — as his running mate.

"I'm going to be an advocate for an Obama/Bayh ticket," he said. Andrew will be doing local media interviews Thursday, and appearing at campaign events Friday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana


Posted: 07:31 AM ET

From

KOKOMO, Indiana (CNN) – Hillary Clinton is defending her proposal to eliminate the gas tax this summer, as rival Barack Obama and some economists continued to criticize it as a gimmick to appeal to voters that won’t actually impact their wallets.

“You’re going to hear from my opponent, and you’re going to hear from columnists and you’re going to hear from talking heads about how there’s nothing we can do about these gas prices except to have a long-term plan,” Clinton told supporters at an Indiana rally Wednesday night.

Clinton and McCain are calling for a summer gas tax holiday.
Clinton and McCain are calling for a summer gas tax holiday.

“Well of course we need a long-term plan,” said the New York senator. “But I’m not going to sit idly by and see people go out of business who are independent truckers not able to continue to choose between food and gas because they can’t afford either. I’m not going to sit idly by.”

To illustrate her point, Clinton rode to work with a steelworker from South Bend, Indiana, Wednesday morning in a pickup truck. In a staged photo-op, they stopped for gas and paid over $60 for just under three-quarters of a tank.

Clinton has said hers is a short-term solution that would mostly benefit truckers and drivers with long commutes. She plans to introduce legislation in the Senate in the near future.

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • Indiana


April 28, 2008
Posted: 10:15 AM ET

From

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Supreme Court on Monday backed Indiana's law requiring voters to show photo identification, despite concerns thousands of elderly, poor, and minority voters could be locked out of their right to cast ballots.

The 6-3 vote allows Indiana to require the identification when it holds its statewide primary next month.

At issue is whether state laws designed to stem voter fraud end up disenfranchising large groups of Americans who might lack proper documents to prove they are eligible to vote.

The justices wrestled with a balancing test of sorts to ensure both state and individual voter interests were addressed, in what has become a highly partisan legal and political fight.

Filed under: Indiana


April 27, 2008
Posted: 10:09 AM ET
Sen. Obama was 1-for-2 in his impromptu baskbetball shots at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sen. Obama was 1-for-2 in his impromptu baskbetball shots at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

NEW CASTLE, Indiana (AP) — A basketball fanatic, Barack Obama on Saturday visited one of the shrines at the heart of hoops country, touring the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame with a real star at his side and a whimsical view of his own abilities.

"I definitely would not qualify for any hall of fame," said Obama, who uses the game for exercise and describes himself as not bad for a 46-year-old guy. "I've already said we're taking out the bowling alley at the White House and putting in a basketball court."

Touring the Indiana Hall of Fame with Obama was George McGinnis, who played pro basketball with the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers. He pointed with pride to the state championship his high school team won in 1969.

"Who's the best player you ever saw?" Obama asked. The answer was Julius Erving, or Dr. J.

Obama also got tested at one exhibit, where he was challenged to make a shot. His first shot was an air ball, but his second hit nothing but net.

Obama then autographed a basketball, but with a note of modesty.

"You don't have to put it out unless I become president," he said.

Filed under: AP • Barack Obama • Indiana


April 26, 2008
Posted: 05:24 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch Sen. Clinton explain her proposal to debate Sen. Obama one-on-one without a moderator.

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (CNN) – Standing on the field of South Bend’s minor league baseball team the Silver Hawks, Hillary Clinton challenged Barack Obama to a debate in Indiana before the state's May 6 primary. Clinton has repeatedly asked for a debate before the next contest, but this time there was a twist.

“I’m offering Sen. Obama a chance to debate me one-on-one, no moderators. Just the two of us going for 90 minutes asking and answering questions, we’ll set whatever rules seem fair,” Clinton told supporters.

A letter sent from Clinton’s campaign manager to Obama’s revealed more details about the Lincoln-Douglas style debate - “No questioners, no panelists, no video clips. One candidate would speak for two minutes, then the other, alternating back and forth all the way through the debate. Their discussion – not any pre-set rules – would determine how long they spend on one subject before moving on to another.”

Obama has complained that the widely-panned April 16 debate in Philadelphia wasn’t substantive enough and points to the 21 debates the candidates have already participated in when asked why he doesn't want another.

“We’ve had four debates between Sen. Obama and myself,” Clinton countered, “we’ve had debates other candidates were in, but just four between the two of us.”

Shortly after Clinton’s remarks, Obama’s chief strategist David Axelrod rejected the challenge out of hand, telling CNN, “In the next nine days we're going to devote our attention to the voters and we will see where we are after May 6. It doesn't matter whether it's Lincoln-Douglas, standing, sitting, what language it is in, it does not matter.” (Related video: Watch David Axelrod on Ballot Bowl Saturday.)

Update: The Obama campaign released this statement by Communications Director Robert Gibbs after David Axelrod spoke with CNN.

"We have participated in 21 nationally televised debates, the most in primary history, including four exclusively with Senator Clinton.  Senator Clinton refused an earlier invitation that had been accepted to debate in North Carolina.  Over the next 10 days, we believe it's important to talk directly to the voters of Indiana and North Carolina about fixing our economy, cutting the cost of health care and ending a war in Iraq that never should have been authorized in the first place."

More

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana


Posted: 03:05 PM ET

From
Sen. Obama campaigned in Marion, Indiana Saturday.
Sen. Obama campaigned in Marion, Indiana Saturday.

ANDERSON, Indiana (CNN) – Sen. Barack Obama flat out denied any possibility that he would accept a debate with rival Sen. Hillary Clinton prior to the next big round of primaries.

Shortly after maintaining he isn't "ducking" debates, the Illinois senator admitted the two Democratic rivals are "not going to have debates between now and Indiana."

Voters in both Indiana and North Carolina will head to the polls May 6.

Obama's comments came in an interview with FOX News' Chris Wallace set to air Sunday. Wallace first asked Obama why he was ducking another one-on-one meeting.

"I'm not ducking one. We've had 21," Obama said. "We want to make sure we're talking to as many folks possible on the ground taking questions from voters."

Clinton has repeatedly called on Obama to meet for another debate since their last meeting in Philadelphia on April 16.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • North Carolina


Posted: 02:40 PM ET

From
Sen. Clinton shakes hands with supporters in Ft. Wayne before speaking Saturday.
Sen. Clinton shakes hands with supporters in Ft. Wayne before speaking Saturday.

FT. WAYNE, Indiana (CNN) – Coming off a big win in Pennsylvania thanks largely to working-class voters, Hillary Clinton tried to convince Indiana supporters on Saturday that she is one of them.

Talking about helping her father (a “small businessman,” she emphasized) in his drapery business when she was growing up in Chicago, Clinton told the crowd, “It was one of the many experiences that really taught me the values that I’ve had my entire life. You know, hard work, self-reliance, individual responsibility. Good Midwestern values that we were raised with and that we believe in.”

“I feel so fortunate to have that kind of background and upbringing and I know that’s what many of you have experienced as well here in Ft. Wayne and across Indiana,” she added.

Jabs at George W. Bush are always easy applause lines at Clinton’s rallies and she used his unpopularity to push her populist message on Saturday.

“ We need a president, especially after the last seven years of George Bush who doesn’t just make speeches about American values but understands them, and lives them and believes them and wants to make sure that they are available for everybody.”

When Barack Obama made his infamous “bitter” comments, Clinton was quick to cast him as an out of touch elitist. Now she is locked in a dead heat with Obama in Indiana polls with just over a week before the state’s May 6 contest that many consider a must-win for the New York senator.

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • Indiana


Posted: 10:00 AM ET

ALT TEXT

Watch Sen. Obama play some basketball in Indiana Friday night. (AP Photo)

KOKOMO, Indiana (AP) — For Barack Obama, figuring out how to cap a long campaign day in basketball-crazy Indiana was a no-brainer — you shoot some hoops.

After a noisy campaign rally, he donned sweat pants and a "USMC" shirt for a little action on the courts, with no ordinary companions. His 3-on-3 team included Alison Bales, a member of the
WNBA's Indiana Fever.

Some area high-schoolers also took part.

He kept up with the younger competitors, but at one point joked with medics standing by that they might be needed.

And he proved to be effective, scoring four baskets that included a nifty left-handed three-pointer. He grabbed four rebounds and stole a couple.

His team won 15-5.

Filed under: AP • Barack Obama • Indiana


April 25, 2008
Posted: 12:00 PM ET

From
 Obama and Clinton are in a dead heat in Indiana.
Obama and Clinton are in a dead heat in Indiana.

(CNN) — Three days after Hillary Clinton's win in Pennsylvania, a new poll suggests it’s a dead heat in Indiana — the next crucial battleground that could decide the Democratic presidential nomination.

Barack Obama leads Clinton by 1 point in the Hoosier State, according to a just-released poll conducted by Research 2000, 48 percent to 47 percent. Given the polls' 5 point margin of error, the two candidates are statistically tied.

The poll also shows both candidates are holding strong with constituencies that have backed them in other states: Clinton easily wins among seniors and women, Obama has the advantage with young voters.

Indiana has been called a 'must win' for Clinton, even by some of her strongest supporters. On CNN's Larry King Live Wednesday, Clinton backer James Carville said the May 6 voting state could serve as a "tie breaker."

"I think it's going to be very difficult for Senator Clinton if she loses both in Indiana and North Carolina," he said. "I think she has to keep pressing the bet, doubling down."

"If she wins in Indiana, it's going to cause some people to turn up and look around," he said. "I think it's a very important contest."

Update: CNN poll of polls shows Clinton, Obama tied in Indiana

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana


April 22, 2008
Posted: 06:50 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch Sen. McCaskill's interview with Wolf Blitzer.

(CNN) – Sen. Claire McCaskill, a supporter of Sen. Barack Obama defended Obama’s decision not to participate in a previously scheduled debate in North Carolina.

“What he wants to do is make sure the people of Indiana and North Carolina get a chance to know him,” McCaskill told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tuesday on The Situation Room. “So, I think he really wants to stay on the ground and make people understand that he gets it.”

Earlier in the broadcast, the Clinton campaign’s communications director, Howard Wolfson, said Obama had cancelled the North Carolina debate because of a poor performance at last week’s debate. “Sen. Obama basically said, boy, I don’t want to debate anymore,” Wolfson told Blitzer.

Indiana and North Carolina will both hold their primaries on May 6.

Related video: Watch Howard Wolfson on the Democratic race

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Indiana • North Carolina



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