Kyle Bell

Indiana is proving to be a pivotal state in the race for president. While Senator Obama is largely expected to win North Carolina and Hillary is expected to win Pennsylvania, Indiana is seen as a battleground. As a result, Hillary and Bill Clinton have been touring the state for the past couple weeks. Hillary was in Southern Indiana Thursday and Bill was in South Bend for two events on Dyngus Day, the Monday after Easter Polish holiday celebrating the end of Lent. Not to be outdone in the state, Obama has visited Indianapolis and is promising to vigorously campaign throughout Indiana before the May 6 primary. To prove his devotion to winning the state, Obama is opening an office in South Bend, according to the South Bend Tribune.

SOUTH BEND — The campaign of presidential candidate Barack Obama will open an office in South Bend, and Obama will campaign “in every corner” of Indiana, according to information released today by the Obama campaign.

David Plouffe, Obama’s campaign director, said in a conference call today that a schedule of campaign stops is yet to be worked out, but that the Obama campaign will seek to establish a “heavy presence” in the state before its May 6 primary.

“It’s going to be a very important primary,” Plouffe said.

Former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, who is campaigning for Obama in Indiana, spoke at the conference call on the issues that matter to Hoosiers. He highlighted economic issues and national security.