Local campaigns focus on one-on-one contact with voters Save Email Print
Posted: 10:05 PM Apr 20, 2008
Last Updated: 12:02 AM Apr 21, 2008
Reporter: Ryan Famuliner
Email Address: ryan.famuliner@wndu.com

A | A | A

While the focus will be on Pennsylvania for the next couple of days, Indiana's time in the spotlight isn't too far away.

With the primary in about 2 weeks, local campaign efforts are in full gear.

Indiana has a say in the primary season for the first time in 40 years.

For local supporters, the two weeks until primary day will be a whirlwind; trying to drum up support for their respective candidates any way they can.

We've gotten used to seeing large campaign events with big name speakers.

But supporters say smaller venues, like a Hoosiers for Hillary event at the South Bend Chocolate Café on Sunday, may be even more important.

“This is how campaigns are won. Its on the ground, grass roots efforts. That wins elections, and I think there’s a number of undecided’s in this state,” said Judith Cothran, one of the panelists at the event that had just a few dozen in attendance.

Organizers say at more personal events like there, it's important how a supporter answers a simple question.

“Why am I for this candidate? The more heartfelt answer you can give to that question, I think the more opportunity we have of turning someone around who is undecided, “ said Rebecca Marr-Miller, a regular Hoosiers for Hillary volunteer.

In the weeks ahead, these more personal contacts will be common.

“More of these types of events, also more canvassing, phone calling,” Marr-Miller said.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama supporters spent Sunday pounding the pavement, and talking to their neighbors in South Bend.

“To see you know regular people just like you and me… people hear why you’re excited about that candidate it might help sway them, it may not,” said Obama supporter Heather Budzinski.

While they're working hard... They're also keeping an eye on what's happening in Pennsylvania.

“If she doesn’t do as well as we're hoping, then that then means that Indiana is even bigger then we anticipated and so we're going to be out there doing everything we can for Indiana,” Marr-Miller said.

“We're interested of course, but I mean we can control what we can control. We can control what we do here. I can work as hard as I can for Obama here in my hometown, and here in Indiana,” said Dustin Blythe of Mishawaka, who spent hours going door-to-door campaigning for Obama Sunday.

Email  del.icio.us   Google   Yahoo  digg
More Stories
Man dead after overnight shooting

Survivors applaud Mishawaka's Relay for Life turnout

Mishawaka announces Summerfest schedule

WNDU’s Terry McFadden targets sister and co-anchor Maureen at charity roast

Memorial High student’s strong attendance record wins him a car

Indiana State Prison Police raffle Porsche, Harley to aid K-9 team

LaPorte student who threatened violence last month attempts to buy gun

House burns down two months after couple buys it

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Joe Location: granger on Apr 21, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Man look at the BIG mouth on that lady!

Posted by: Sounds like Obama on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I will talk to everyone in the US one-on-one. I will even flip every one off.

Posted by: Dustin Location: Mishawaka on Apr 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
If you, too, would like to get involved in these final weeks, see www.in.barackobama.com.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 21, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Dustin Blythe? Is that the guy that posts here all the time?

Five Day
WNDU News Poll
How high will gas prices get this summer?

$4.50
$5.00
$6.00
I don't even want to think about it


 

Your Pictures