read this (encouraging) per how the debate was seen by 4 Hoosier undecideds.

[salin]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080927/NEWS0502/809270457

salin's comments:

Red state - more red than its neighbors when it comes to the top of the ticket (voted GOP since 1968), but in tossup category this time.

The Indystar had four undecideds watch the debate at the star, and then asked for their reactions as to whether the debate changed their leanings. These are not the partisans (like ourselves) reacting.

The unhinged partisans show up on the comments section of the article - but they are not the folks here in Indiana who have put the state into play.

A side note, to date in Indy nor Bloomington have I seen a single McCain bumper sticker, nor yard sign. Not a single one. I *have* seen many Obama signs and stickers, (and shirts).

I usually post part of an article when I link to it - but this time, I think the article (short) is best read in full. These are the folks who will move the election - at least in this part of the country.

[dkf]

1. Wow. All of them mentioned Iraq as a reason to vote for Obama.

I guess in these times of economic trouble, its a waste on all levels.

[salin]

2. the issue even moved the McCain leaner to be open to Obama

yet pundits have been telling us that this is no longer a valent issue - that the voters aren't deciding on the issue of Iraq. Hmmmmm.

[Nevernose]

3. "He was disappointed by a lack of specificity..."

Overall a good article, very positive for Obama. But the "where are the specifics?" meme drives me CRAZY! I hear it from coworkers all the time, yet Obama was up there saying "I'm going to do the following five things, and this is how I will do them." It's a freaking debate, not exactly the best time to elaborate on section 4.3, sub-clause xiv of your 14 point plan for cleaner drinking water in the Mid-Atlantic states. McCain doesn't have crap to say except half-truths and fluff.

It'll be interesting to see some of these people Monday morning -- most of the undecideds that I know are hesitant with Obama because they're unsure of he's "presidential" enough.

[Juche]

4. I've seen 1 mccain bumper sticker

Here in my small town of about 7000 people in rural Indiana I have seen at least 5 different houses and cars with Obama signs, and I have seen 1 Mccain bumper sticker.

Bloomington is going to go for Obama because the culture is more progressive, but when the small cities are showing more ground level support for Obama than mcCain then that is huge to me.