On the road in Indiana: Endorsements favor Clinton, impact some voters

INDIANAPOLIS — At such a close point in the race for nomination, and with significant pockets of support throughout the state for each candidate, endorsements could be the tipping point in the Indiana primary.

That is, if Hoosiers think they’re important.

When it comes to the opinion of Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, endorsement is crucial to most voters.

“People in Indiana get close to their politicians,” said Debbie Prosser, an undecided voter who attended Bill Clinton’s “town hall” speech at Lebanon Middle School in Lebanon Friday. With the fame of his father, who some say was “like a god” in Indiana and the legacy Bayh himself has created, many hold a great loyalty to the politician, she added.

Bayh, a long-time supporter of Hillary Clinton, endorsed the candidate in September. Some say he’s hoping to run as Clinton’s vice president if she gets the nomination.

Israel Wilson, 37, of Lebanon thinks having Bayh on her ticket would help Clinton win the Midwest states in the presidential election.

Friday, the Indianapolis Star, Indiana’s largest daily newspaper with about 255,000 daily circulation, endorsed Clinton. The paper reported it was “a difficult choice” but supported the candidate because of her experience.

“I don’t know how much stock I put in it,” said Angela Bowers, an Obama supporter from Indianapolis. “The Indy Star is not a liberal rag, so I don’t think much of it.”

Bowers pointed out that the Philadelphia Enquirer, Pennsylvania’s largest paper, endorsed Obama, and Clinton won the state. She and other supporters hope this trend continues in Indiana.