Published: May 01, 2008 11:25 am            

Campaign stops may not be that significant

Are all the speeches and campaign visits by presidential hopefuls and their endorsers meaningful, or merely lip-service to the voters who have already made up their mind?

As Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue to sojourn around the Hoosier state, there are mixed reactions as to how effective the last-minute campaigning is, especially in Southern Indiana, where both camps have made several recent appearances.

“It’s not particularly (important) to me,” New Albany resident Tim Burnett said. “It wouldn’t make me say yes or no, but it is nice to see them come to town.”

Charlestown resident Mary Ann Prestigiacomo’s schedule has kept her from being able to attend any of the appearances, so she said the mere fact that Obama and Clinton have shown up around the area has had little influence on her.

“It might affect the people that go to them,” she said.

Prestigiacomo said she believes the multiple visits are because presidential candidates are aware of the tightly contested congressional race between Mike Sodrel and incumbent Baron Hill that will likely lead to a high voter turnout.

Brian Howey, an Indiana political columnist, said the way the primary in Indiana is shaping up, every vote will count, and so will each appearance.

“I think it has a big influence when these candidates come to town,” he said. “The (appearances) I have been to, there have been huge crowds wrapping around the stadium and people showing up at 3 a.m. in the morning to get in line.”

But most of the people who come to the events are already supporters, according to Indiana University Southeast political science professor Linda Gugin.

Yet there is some impact — though hard to measure — when a candidate or one of their endorsers speaks to a group of potential voters, Gugin said.

“I think the extent to which it would influence any individual voter is going to vary,” she said. “I have attended functions for both candidates and in both cases, I did hear people say that it has influenced them.”

Floyd County Democratic Party Chairman Randy Stumler believes the multiple visits have a lot of sway with voters.

“It’s important for any candidate at any level to make an attempt to contact voters. They stand to gain or lose a lot.

“It’s good to see they care and are taking the time to find something out about our community,” Stumler said.

The Floyd County Council candidate said New Albany, Jeffersonville and Clarksville are all strategic areas for the Democratic nominee hopefuls. Stumler — who recently introduced Obama at an IUS town meeting — said it is the policy of the county party not to pick sides and give out endorsements publically, though he definitely plans on casting a vote next week.

With Clinton and Obama making numerous stops around the state, Indiana is territory neither candidate is willing to evade, Gugin said.

But, she said Clinton clearly has the most to lose as she still trails in total delegates. Obama also has made gains this week in terms of superdelegates.

“If he comes out on top, it dims her chances,” Gugin said.

Howey agreed, though he does not expect either candidate to run away with the election based on Indiana.

“It won’t be a knockout punch. If there is, it is more likely with Clinton than Obama,” he said.

But a loss in Indiana and North Carolina for Clinton could put pressure on the former first lady to drop out of the race, according to Howey.

“That would really crush her,” he said.

Howey described the Wednesday announcement that Congressman Baron Hill will endorse Obama as “big,” but may not carry as much weight with Indiana voters as the earlier endorsement of the Illinois senator by former congressman Lee Hamilton.

“I think the Lee Hamilton one was very significant,” Howey said.

        

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