Obama Visit Stokes Speculation Over Bayh VP Nod

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(ELKHART) - Indiana has voted for a Democrat for president just once in the last 70 years. But Barack Obama’s town meeting today in Elkhart is his second Indiana visit in three weeks.

Obama has opened 18 campaign offices in Indiana, and named "Rural County Captains" for all 92 counties. Even if Democrats' Hoosier losing streak continues, the effort might help candidates for Congress and the General Assembly who are sharing space in those offices.

Indiana Democratic Chairman Dan Parker says it's understandable people are skeptical after 44 years, but says it's been nearly that long since a Democratic nominee made the effort.

Obama's visit has poured more fuel on speculation that Evan Bayh will be his running mate, or even that he might announce the choice while he's here. Parker says he'd love to see it, but admits he's sick of being asked about something he has no control over.

Bayh is scheduled to appear with Obama in Elkhart, just as he did in West Lafayette when Obama made his last visit.

1964 was the last time a Democrat carried Indiana, that being Lyndon Baines Johnson in his landslide win which, oddly enough, was over another Arizona senator...conservative legend Sen. Barry Goldwater.

WBIW News contributed to this story.

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