Indiana elects Obama + Daniels...does this surprise you?

[Pat Coyle]

November 4th confirmed for us what we already knew. Barack Obama will be our next President, and Mitch Daniels will remain Governer of Indiana. How did we know? Well, our Smaller Indiana Mock elections told us so. The results of our second Mock Election mirror almost exactly the results of the national election. In the race for Governor, however, Smaller Indiana voted much more heavily for the Incumbent: 67% for Daniels, 25% for Long-Thompson and 8% for Libertarian candididate, Andy Horning.

What are the reasons why Indiana elected a Republican Governor and a Democratic President? What are the drivers of these seemingly paradoxical voting patterns? If Republicans and Democrats differ, say, on economic strategies, then how can one party make sense in our home state and a different party be better for the country? What's the difference? And what about that strong showing for Libertarians? Do you think a significant third party could emerge in the future?

Share your thoughts here

[Thomas Ho]

Because Mitch Daniels has done a good job as Governor! I hope that Barack Obama does a good job as President so that I can vote for him NEXT time!

Honestly, I probably wouldn't vote for him, BUT I would like for him to "surprise" me by NOT making my worst fears come true!

[Nwokedi C. Idika]

Assuming Obama runs his White House like he's run his campaign, the country should be in better shape in 4 years.

[Jon Collins]

I think that while there were many people that were frustrated with the Republican party and voted for Obama, they felt that Daniels had done a good job and deserved a second term.

[Erik Deckers]

While Daniels had some problems, he managed to overcome them since the last two years when he would have lost the election. It didn't hurt his efforts that Jill Long Thompson ran a weak campaign. Daniels was able to focus on his successes, while Long Thompson ran commercials about -- oh wait, she didn't run any commercials for several weeks? Well, then she hit Daniels about his failures and bad choices about -- wait, what? She focused on whether he used a state plane for personal use?

I think Barack Obama won because he was able to link McCain to George Bush, while Daniels won because he was able to focus all of his attention and money on his issues, and never even had to mention Long Thompson by name.

[Mike Magan]

You nailed it on the Jill Long Thompson Campaign even with no money it was a poor strategy

[James Spaulding]

I think that party alliance is secondary. Too many issues require the "reaching across the aisle" that many have prided themselves on during this election. Its about issues and who addresses them, the man or woman running is only the vessel. Some Democrats are more conservative than Republicans, and Libertarians seem to be the party that people who realize this gray area are joining. For cultures sake we will always have parties, but the values behind them shall shift as time passes.

[Rae Kridel]

Voting for Mitch yesterday was the first time I have EVER voted for a Republican candidate. He's done a great job bringing new business to the state, the things you would expect him to do, but he's also been a big advocate of social action programs, healthcare programs, health awareness, economic support, etc. Not only has be backed them, but he's put himself out there, connecting with people, over. The things I don't see Republicans typically put much effort in. That's what impressed me and made me pencil that oval next to his name.

[Matt Zentz]

People want to be led by strong, effective individuals that connect with their beliefs. Whether Democratic or Republican is of no matter.

Mitch is the man and a strong leader. That showed clearly in his speech last night when he commended and applauded Jill Long Thompson and Andy Horning for their commitment and dedication to the state. Jill Long Thompson, on the other hand, said nothing of the strong leadership and reform qualities of Daniels. She still continued her onslaught of negativity by talking about putting a "crack in the glass ceiling". So much for conceding. I am very happy that kind of negativity will not be in office.

There is no doubt Obama can be a strong leader. He is very inspirational and has a tremendous skill in unifying people - this will be a nice change. I believe he can help change the world's perspective of the U.S. and bring a high level of synergy to our country's people. But he is still untested and has yet to face the challenges before him. For the sake of our country, and the world, I sincerely hope he succeeds. I did not vote for him but I will support his administration as he puts his words into action. Well.... I'll support everything except his Socialist ideals. :)

[Doug Theis]

Simple. Mitch eats problems and spits solutions. He ignored the polls and did what's right.

[Nwokedi C. Idika]

I believe Erik is spot on above. B/c Long didn't really market to the public, winning was virtually impossible. Most of the people that volunteered for Obama (at least at Purdue) didn't know any of Long's talking points.

[Mike Magan]

I was a Mitch and McCain supporter but I am in tune with how cool the moment will be when he places his hand on the Bible at the inauguration.

I was surprised, though, at how many 40 and under commented during TV coverage on how they never thought this would happen in their lifetime. Yes it seems amazing now, but did they really think this could never happen in their entire LIFE?? So you're telling me that by the time you die in 2048 we still won't have a black president because there would still be too many racists out there.

Obama supporters are kidding themselves if they didn't think until this morning that it would never happen in their LIFE.

I'm turning into a whirling dervish as I type this, so I'll blog about it.

[Mark R Platt]

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in n heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down , down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door opens on heaven where St.Peter is waiting for him.


"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, he 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.


"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell." So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning.. .

"Today you voted."