I find it very interesting to read all this stuff about the character of Indiana after spending February doing experimental theater there. I fell in love with the state, as I think everyone we brought in from out of town did - and especially with the honesty, integrity, and friendliness of the folks we worked with. And now it’s interesting to think of them deciding, in effect, the Democratic nomination. A tiebreaker, as Obama said today. A good metaphor for a sports-loving state.
I think what’s going to break that tie is a sense of character. Really. That’s what seemed to be the most important to everyone who I met in the state of Indiana. Character, family, community.
I felt like I understood the US much better, for better and for worse - but mostly for better - after my month there. I’m looking forward to returning to Indiana next February, and every February for the foreseeable future, for the Convergence. Of all the places I’ve stayed this year, Indiana felt like it had the most to do with home. That surprised me, but it’s true.
I really don’t believe that the Indiana citizens I met would vote against Obama because of his race. Not for a second. I also think that they are not going to be distracted by bad economic gas-tax gimmicks, or by the dead-horse political issue of Rev. Wright. I think they’re going to vote on a sense of who they respect - whose character, whose values (remember that word? maybe I should say whose ethics, whose political philosophy - but I think the Democrats should make a stab at reclaiming the word “values”) they admire.
From the Washington Post:
Brian Howey: Indiana does not have a lengthy history of minority representation. In our 192 year history, we’ve had three African-American mayors, all from Gary. We’ve elected two African-American sheriffs. We’ve elected three black Members of Congress and Katie Hall of Gary lost to Pete Visclosky after just one term (the third, Rep. Andre Carson, is fighting a tough primary to keep his grandmother’s seat). We’ve had two Hispanic mayors. Indiana has not elected a female governor, though the past two lieutenant governors have been female. So while we’ve had lots of minority city councilmen, there hasn’t been much congressional or executive power in black hands. An Obama victory would be historic.
Historic and timely. More Q and As with Brian here.
Brian Howey: [...] The national media has sometimes portrayed us as a change resistant state. In the last three election cycles, Hoosier voters have tossed out an incumbent governor, three incumbent congressmen, the President of the Indiana Senate, the Senate Finance Chairman, the mayor of Indianapolis and about 40 percent of his incumbent brethren. We’ve switched to Daylight Saving Time. We can change and do change if someone can logically make the case for such change. If Obama wins Indiana, it will say volumes about our shift as a progressive state. By the way, Hoosiers helped invent the automobile, TV, 2 percent milk and tomato juice. The Bloody Mary wouldn’t exist without Hoosiers.
I have refrained from asking my Indiana Democrat friends who they are voting for in this primary. It’s none of my business. I am thinking of them a lot today, though, and wishing them luck in making this decision that the whole nation has had such a tough time with. Gentlemen, and ladies, cast your ballots.
