Sunday, Nov. 9,2008 9:15 p.m.
As jovial supporters of Barack Obama, some rowdier than others,
celebrated across campus on election night, IU’s Republican activists
probably felt a little left out.
But there was one thing they could take solace in: Gov. Mitch Daniels won re-election.
Daniels did well, beating out Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson
58 percent to 40 percent. Clearly, given Obama’s victory in Indiana, a
Democrat can do well in the state. The upsurge of Democratic activism
seemed to push Rep. Baron Hill (D-9th) to his greatest electoral
victory against his recurrent Republican challenger Mike Sodrel.
Therefore, it seems worth asking why Long Thompson fared so poorly
against Daniels. No doubt much blame must fall on her lackluster
campaign. Long Thompson never seemed to win the support of Indiana’s
Democratic establishment, most of which backed Indianapolis architect
Jim Schellinger in the primary. Drastically underfunded – being
outspent by at least $10 million – Long Thompson couldn’t compete
against Daniels’ air time.