Taking the Pulse of the Heartland
Pulaski County, Indiana is typical only if you consider a “typical” American county to be 170 years old, have just over 13,000 folks and its largest town’s population to be 2,500. There’s not even a Wal-Mart in the entire county. Named for a Polish hero of the American Revolution, who died at the famous Siege of Savannah in 1779, the two main towns (Pulaski, and the county seat of Winamac) sit along the Tippecanoe River, named for the famous 1811 Indiana battle that preceded the War of 1812.
On Memorial Day Weekend, while driving a circuitous route from Indianapolis to Lake Michigan, I stopped here on one of those hazy, humid Midwestern days where the locals often say “if you don’t like the weather, wait a while and it’ll change.” I planned to simply snap a picture of the historic county courthouse in Winamac, but then noticed the small, century-old clapboard houses a few feet above the river, with their bucolic terrain, and I then decided to get a bite and meet some of the locals on a Sunday, as church had just let out at both the Catholic and Methodist Churches.
My question, and one I will endeavor to discuss in subsequent travels and discussions throughout the Midwest this summer, was: what are the priorities of these folks? Are those small town, moderate, blue collar, union Democrats who are socially conservative really going to vote for a far left candidate who supports, for example, partial birth abortions? They’re mostly Hillary guys and gals for now, getting her a big win here last month, but in the end, will they sit it out? Or vote for the septuagenarian war hero?
In speaking with some GM workers at Allison-Rolls Royce Engine Co. on Indianapolis’ west side, I found the age of a voter played a factor. The union workers with whom I spoke were all Democrats, but amongst the older men—in their 50s and 60s, perhaps nearing retirement—they would move to McCain upon an Obama-McCain matchup. The younger folks would stick with the party line and vote Obama, saying they’d “never vote for a Republican.” No one I spoke with at Allison, who has aided America’s armed forces by building air and vehicle engines since World War I, said they’d stay home and not vote.
Whether in tiny Pulaski or urban Indianapolis, I was now rather curious if citizens felt aligned with those so-called “latte liberal” elites along the coasts who overwhelmingly support Obama, yet, like the Illinois senator, may not necessarily appreciate the military, saving cash at Wal-Mart, or the centrist politics of Sen. John McCain? The media, who somehow could not find any soldier in Iraq that supported the former Vietnam POW, may believe the issues are all relative. The Pulaski Democrats are not likely to deem those Obama supporters as “clinging to their Starbucks and organic food,” as the city of Denver prepares food in “eco-friendly fashion” for the Democratic National Convention in late August.
Back in Pulaski County, we had to wait about 20 minutes for the local pizza parlor on the Courthouse Square to open at 1pm, because not only does this region of Indiana observe Central Daylight Time (Indianapolis is Eastern), but as in a majority of smaller American towns, businesses do not open until after church lets out on Sunday. This was not New York City, nor Indianapolis for that matter; it was the Indiana I enjoy and that the media is wont to depict.
Once inside, many visitors would have felt like outsiders—especially with our being a Jewish/Latina couple—but stereotypes are not always valid, and the kind folks served us no differently than they would any others. The place was fairly empty the entire time, as we wolfed down a good thin crust pie; however, I did notice two middle-aged men sitting in their church attire near the bar, watching the Indianapolis 500 on a small television above, so I daringly moved up to casually chat, identifying myself as some sort of a reporter.
After some convivial chatter about sports and the weather, I asked them what they did for a living. Both were retired, with one having worked for over 30 years with GM and the other having been a farmer. It was soon established that the former was a Democrat and the latter a Republican. In a perfect segue, I asked the Democrat whom he supported for president and his answer was “Hillary, for now.” Pressing further, “Carl” (name withheld) espoused the usual rhetoric about his being a “simple man” and a “union fellow,” thus his support for the former first lady via her “experience.”
The erstwhile farmer, in a jovial mood, nudged him and said to me, “He’s stubborn as a bull. He knows McCain is best for the country.” A few jabs later, I moved back to “Carl” to find out where his vote might go if Barack Obama was John McCain’s opponent come November, as most feel he will be anointed in the coming days. Taking a long sip of his ale, he looked out the window and said “Well, ain’t that the $64,000 question. I guess I just don’t know yet,” he confessed. “Never had a reason to vote for a Republican in all my years, but this may be that year. Seems the parties, at least for this election, have changed their appearance.” I was not sure if that was racial, cultural or what have you, but that was the best answer I received. The other fellow nudged me again and nodded, “He’ll do the right thing.”
Upon leaving the Square, you realize how common the set up of not only the 92 county squares in Indiana are, but the businesses. Washed out on the buildings are names of companies gone by—many of them jewelers and merchants, especially Jewish-owned. Northern Indiana was the setting for a book called the Middletown Jews, which was based in Muncie and depicted how 19th century Jewry made a living in the Midwest, while most Jews remained in southern towns like Charleston and Savannah during Reconstruction. The historic “Mail Pouch Tobacco” signs are often seen washed out on unused buildings and barn sides throughout the region.
Pulaski County is in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District, which is very divided, having a GOP congressman from 2003-2007, but a Democrat currently in charge. The northern portion is heavily union and industrial, encompassing Democratic strongholds like South Bend. The Second District borders the most heavily Democratic of Indiana’s nine districts (the 1st, which sits along Lake Michigan), though as you move south into the more rural areas approaching Pulaski, Fulton, Cass and Carroll counties, the people become more conservative. Pulaski sits on the southwestern edge of the district, which borders White County, heavily Republican, and part of Indiana’s 4th congressional district.
Adjacent to the 4th is the 5th District, which moves east and south toward Indianapolis.
Cong. Dan Burton is in his 12th term there:
“My Congressional district is solidly Republican and with a great candidate like John McCain running, I am confident that voters in my district will overwhelmingly support him in November,” the Congressman from Indiana’s “reliably Republican” 5th district told me via email.
Stopping for ice cream at the local Dairy Queen, I found two young people with two small children. The dad, who appeared younger than I (mid-20s at best) had, coincidentally, served in the military, having returned in 2006 from a year in Iraq. I could tell right away that while he was proud of his service, his wife, home with the kids and the bills, was not quite as thrilled, especially when “Evan” (name withheld) had hinted about re-upping for another tour.
“The job ain’t done,” he said. “Every time I see the pictures of the Twin Towers on fire, I want to go back more.”
Evan is a big supporter of McCain, admiring the former naval aviator for his service and sincerity.
“I’d be proud to have him as my Commander in Chief, and I think he’ll win easily” he noted, perhaps reading reports like this one that mention an easy McCain triumph.
When asked about Hillary or Obama, Evan did not answer, just laughed and said “Ask my wife.” His wife is an Obama supporter—for now. “Evan” has been trying to convince her otherwise, but she “wants the troops home,” which might include her husband. I did not press further, understanding this was a touchy subject, and clearly a common one from my observations around Indiana the past two years.
To lend some background, while Indiana is the 15th most populous state in America, it has the 4th largest National Guard and more current National Guard troops in active service than any state in America. Hoosiers have served at disproportionately higher amounts than other states, beginning when more than 210,000 served in the Civil War. Of the nearly 1.3 million American combat deaths since 1861, over four and a half percent of those (roughly 60,000) have come from Indiana. That’s obviously well above average, and Hoosiers recognize that. Nearly 140 of Indiana’s bravest heroes have been killed during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom—the battlefields Obama has been so reticent to visit lately.
All this considered, Jay Kenworthy, Communications Director for the Indiana Republican Party, is confident that, like every presidential election the past 44 years, the Hoosier state will remain red. Upon my return to Indy, he shared with me:
“We take nothing for granted, but are confident that John McCain has the experience, knowledge, and strength the people of Indiana want in the White House. As the McCain/Obama contrast becomes more and more clear in the coming months, many Hoosiers will not vote for Obama, a candidate who will raise taxes, hike spending, and retreat from terrorists. Barack Obama has run on a platform of change, but if I ask for change for a $100 bill, and you give me a five and five ones, I won’t be too happy. It’s not that you deliver the change; it’s the kind of change you bring.”
In terms of the preference of “Hillary Democrats” here and throughout the USA, Kenworthy believes:
“As will be the case across the country, a large number of Indiana voters who supported Hillary will come out for John McCain in the fall. Barack Obama has angered a lot of Midwesterners with his comments that we cling to guns and religion. He’s called coal – a large part of the Southern Indiana economy – a dirty energy and has vowed to tax it. John McCain understands the issues and Midwestern values, and the people will come out to support him in November.”
The state’s largest newspaper, which endorsed Hillary Clinton on May 2, had an enormous front page news story this past Thursday, reiterating Kenworthy’s claims about the “anti-coal” rhetoric in the Hoosier State.
The Indiana Democratic Party did not return phone calls or emails when contacted for this story.
Way for conservatives again to paint small town people who lean Republican as the only true Americans. I am sorry if I don’t believe that counties sporting 13,000 people are going to define an election.
That’s a pretty short-sighted comment, considering the balance, length and theme of this article. But I have read your ignorant comments for many months here, so I expected nothing more.
Good piece, Mr. Kaufman. As a midwesterner, I can honestly say this is an objective look at the “pulse” of most people in small midwestern farming communities.
First: I live in Indiana, in Mr. Burton’s 5th Congressional District.
There’s a lot of angst here directed at the Republican Party (and particularly Mr. Burton). In addition, we’re one of the few states that can legitimately be called a “manufacturing state”, and the last several years have not been kind to manufacturing states. Those kinds of things don’t bode well for a Republican Presidential candidate.
And the latest polls I have seen have the state split dead-even between McCain and Obama. I have even seen some electoral maps that have us as this year’s Ohio or Florida. The state that decides the whole thing.
Interesting, from a state that is usually counted on by Republicans to be red. That shows the state of Republican politics in general. We’re undoubtedly purple now. After 2006 we have a Democrat controlled state House and Senate. Both flipped in 2006.
But, we have a Republican Governor, Mitch Daniels. And on this man shoulder’s may rest the fate of John McCain and the country.
He’s running for re-election, and there’s some reason to believe it may be close. Certainly, the Democrats are going to spend a ton of money here trying to make it close.
In my mind, Mitch Daniels is the best Governor I’ve ever seen for any state. He’s completely turned this state around. But, he’s not without negatives (no one is), and he’s made his share of enemies because he’s been active and dynamic and has rammed through policy after policy change without even giving his opponents time to catch their breath.
But, for the most part, conservatives love him, and he gives conservatives in Indiana something that John McCain and Dan Burton do not. A reason to get out and vote in November.
If he energizes Republicans as he did 4 years ago, he will win re-election, and John McCain will carry Indiana.
If not, Indiana will go from Red to Purple to Blue in just 4 short years.
Well-written and interesting, although typically right-wing bias shows thru as plain as the transplanted Indiana nose on Mr. Kaufman’s face
To me, this seems an objective analysis based upon conversations. The only “bias” I can see would be that the author only quoted GOP officials, but he makes clear at the closing that the Democrats refused to comment. Otherwise, if the quoting of military and war figures from the state of Indiana is “right wing bias,” that’s unfortunate. Seems the left finds pro-American, pro-military articles (and news stations like the FNC) to be “right wing.” If that’s the case, that looks poorly for them.
I guess this is not surprising. David Horowitz had more on this today:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=224B9BE8-F2C9-47D5-A6CC-1BBB8023057E
I like the anecodotal evidence supplied by Mr.Kaufman. Well done. Although not scientific it does provide a base from which to do some extrapolating. Not many rpeorters realy get so close to the consumer/voter. Normally they just ask party bigwigs (and Mr. kaufman also did a bit of that) and those party bigwigs have absolutely no clue as to how their districts will vote. the are the same people who eight months ago said Hillary and Mitt would win their respective nominations.
But coal is a dirty fuel, and if the public and scientific consensus is that the use of such fuels is accompanied by certain problems, shouldn’t those facts be reflected in policy? And US entry into Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism or the threat of foreign aggression; is this not salient for those claiming to be concerned about national security? I hope the people of Pulaski, Indiana will invest some effort in an objective assessment of the issues facing community and country and resist the received-bias of whatever their political affiliations are.
This article really strikes home with me, having grown up in a farming community far from the big city lights. It is fairly obvious
that there truly are “two Americas”, although they are not the two John Edwards discusses. Mr. Kaufman does an excellent job describing the rural side of wherever he visits. Not only do we feel the atmosphere but we get a glimpse of the history of the locale as well as the mood of the present day residents.
Good job, sir. I’ll be waiting for your next trip.
David,
You need to educate yourself about coal gasification. There is a plant in Indiana and it produces a clean burning fuel. The US is the ‘Saudi Arabia’ of coal. Lets embrace it.
Indiana reminds me a lot of Pennsylvania with very diverse population bases in the big cities versus the rural, blue collar, union loving areas. Quite frankly, it was this blue collar voters that gave Hillary a blowout vicxtory in PA and a narrow one in Idy. Since these rural voters represent much of the midwest, look for the heartland to be overwhelmingly red when the first Tuesday in Novemeber arrives. And if Obama cannot win Pennsylvania, forget about it.
Great article. It is nice to hear about the folks in small town America. The media generally overlooks these people so it is nice to see they get some representation here and there. Democrats like Obama have really overlooked these people and it will cost them come November.
I live in California but have visited Indiana several times.
Some of my fondest memories are of the pleasant small town folks who reside along the covered bridges in the western part of the state. Dems or Repubs, it doesn’t matter; they seem to be honest, genuine folks with morals and they pay close attention to politics, since they are hard working and all these issues affect them greatly. I cannot see a large majority breaking for Obama. He seems out of touch with them-a fact he admits. Seems the Dems should have chosen Hillary. We shall see in November…Indiana will be an important state to watch.
I’m a rural resident of a small town (town of 1500 or so) in a smallish county roughly twice the size of Pulaski in Indiana.
Very nice article; well-balanced and informed for a change. Us rubes usually either get short shrift in the media or romanticized out of all proportion to reality.
I’m going third party this year – nothing unusual for me. My Hispanic wife is going for McCain.
“And US entry into Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism or the threat of foreign aggression.”
Such naivete. I’m glad you at least read PJM since that comment is straight out the Keith Olbermann school of lazy journalism.
http://www.husseinandterror.com
Check that out, David.
I grew up in a small New England town on the coast (not too many elitists). So, although I know it was not the primary point of your well-written political article, I would have preferred to have learned more about the town than whom the residents were voting for in the upcoming election.
I was saddened and angry to read the following fact, “Of the nearly 1.3 million American combat deaths since 1861, over four and a half percent of those (roughly 60,000) have come from Indiana.” The human race is mightily screwed up.
This is a good assessment of Indiana. Great research, links, facts, and especially telling military statistics. Makes me proud.
I’m a Hoosier who lives in the west central part of the state. I moved here a few years ago and enjoy the pleasant small town folks who reside in the rural areas Kaufman visited. They’re always intelligent and friendly when I pass through, just like the stereotype would have you believe. I know many of them, especially parents of my friends, were supporting Clinton. I don’t know if they will vote for Obama, but I’d guess not. They are not racist but have judged his character and see it’s flawed, or at least not in sync with their own. Just based upon my reading and viewing, the superdelegates had the best and only chance to select Hillary, who could beat mcCain perhaps. But they were cowardly in moving to the BHO bandwagon the past few months. In the end, Howard Dean may be to blame. I don’t think he handled the situation well.
“And US entry into Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism or the threat of foreign aggression; is this not salient for those claiming to be concerned about national security?”
You state that as a fact when actually it is nothing more then a very dubious theory. Actually more wishful thinking then theory.
Saddam was profligate in his support of terrorism. IIRC he was paying 25,000 US$ to the family of every Suicide bomber.
SO Iraq was a terrorist supporter. Al Qaeda trained there and procured documents there, which was pointed out by the otherwise useless 9-11 commission.
Did Saddam and Obama sit down and plan attacks together? NO evidence of that and nobody except the left is claiming they did. The left uses it as a strawman arguement.
Every time Iraq soilders shot at a US or UK aircraft flying a UN mandated partol, it was an act of war.
Not that any more were needed. There was a state of war existing bwtween Iraq and the USA from 1990 to 2003. President Bush was reaching out tpo the Democrats when he went to Congress and sought permission to resume military action against Iraq. That’s right, resume. That was a TRUCE signed in ’91, NOT a peace treaty. They are two different things and once Iraq violated that truce agreement, the war that both Congress AND the UN authorized in 1990 was back on.
President Bush’s biggest mistake of his presidency was going back to the UN and Congress to get permission again. Saddam was ready this time and bribed enough people to make it unclear just exactly waht was going on. If President Bush had just said, “look, the asshole is violating the truce agreement and I’m going to put an end to him once and for all” That would have brought the original resolutions from 1990 into play and it would have taken a new resolution by both Congress and the UN to stop it.
Here is a solid fact that you can sink your teeth into. Cutting and running in Iraq WILL NOT End the war. Neither will winning in Iraq. Iraq is a part of the War. The war will go on until we destroy ALL governments that use terrorism as part of their diplomatic efforts or we surrender. Before you get all hot to surrender, google Pearl, Berg and Johnson.
There are things worse then war.
I just hope by election day these fellow Democrats you interviewed, as well as the general populace will realize Obama is an empty suit, a dangerous ultra left radical and not vote for him. I am a registered Democrat, and truly believe the Republicans deserve a black eye in November from the voters for the 8 prior years. Why did my party have to run Obama??? I can’t vote for him. I may have to sit this one out.
I live in IL but have many relatives in IN.
I have a cousin who lives in the Lafayette area who had worked years for a certain company, went to work one day and plant was completely locked up.Due to his age he could not find
work. He is a strong union supporter. Remember
voters, Regan tried to destroy unions.
The republican party does not support unions,
middle class America. They support big money,
corporations.
How middle class American can support them
is a mystery.Look what they have done to our
country.
My dad worked for General motors I know as
a kid what it was like when they had to go on strike.I don’t like either party.I wanted
a President who supports Boy Scounts,who is against
Abortion,against Homosexuals and other perverts. He is certainly not where he should be.But since we have Obama and McCain.
As a Christian man I have no other choice except Vote for McCain.I
would certainly not have Obama over for Sunday Lunch either.
Like many Clinton supporters, I don’t like Obama … I can not longer recognize, nor do I like the Democratic party anymore … therefore, I wish Hillary would run as an Independent. It’s worked for other candidates … like Joe Leiberman. At least as an independent democracy would prevail if Hillary won the popular vote … again.
Seems Obama is far too liberal and clueless for most sane Democrats. I’m not surprised.
Nice piece, Ari.
I live (and am a native of) a neighboring town, and my work takes me to Winamac frequently. While I’m a moderate/liberal, and an Obama supporter, I think you’ve painted a pretty accurate picture of attitudes in this area. Of course you’re mostly not going to find the liberals/progressives in the coffee shop.
I do think there are some rural folks who will find it difficult to vote for a non-white for POTUS. For many, there has never been a non-white candidate on their ballot for any position. Sadly, I think there is an element of racism there too.
But there is also lots of unhappiness with what the Bush administration has been doing, and the ‘support the military’ argument isn’t heard much anymore, because we all now military folks and many in the military are disillusioned with the fruits of neo-conservatism. So it will be interesting.
Off politics for a sec…Ari, are you sure that the river is named after the battle? Wasn’t it more the other way around?
Excellent insight into the attitudes of a small midwestern town and very well written. I felt like I could be sitting down to share that pie with AJKaufman and his wife, he’s so descriptive.
Although I live in Wisconsin, this article bears the ring of truth, and my acquaintances from Indiana say that its a true reflection of attitudes in their state. I also recognize the thought processes from other places I’ve lived — Central California and Texas, to be specific.
Well done, Mr. K.
Good article – like the balanced look at the voters within small-town USA…which this person from New York does not receive day-in and day-out. While it’s hard for us “coastal elites” to wrap our hands are these seemingly foreign concepts, I think it’s important to hear out and absorb these viewpoints. Thank you, Mr. Kaufman…
“Ari, are you sure that the river is named after the battle? Wasn’t it more the other way around?”
Marty, I stand corrected. Tippecanoe is, I believe, a region of the old Northwest Territory, with the name being formed from an indigenous dialect. Though the county did not form until well after the battle (1826), I assume the river had the name by 1811 when the one day skirmish occurred. Pulaksi, however, was definitely named for the Polish Count!
Thanks for the heads up, and your thorough comments—which I respect greatly, coming from a local resident, rather than someone who has never visited the area.
“Remember voters, Regan tried to destroy unions.
The republican party does not support unions,
middle class America. They support big money,
corporations.”
Unions are a destructive socialist force that encourages mediocrity, protects bad employees and kills the American individualist spirit. So of course, the GOP would nt support them, and the Dems would.
As to your middle class America comment, the Dem Machine is run by billionaires like Soros, Hollywood, Heinz Kerry, Buffet and so on. They care NOTHING about the poor and middle class but their votes. They are the party of the elites. The GOP is the party of hard work, blue collar military types who embody America.
Stop with your corporations stuff. That’s what CNN and MSNBC say but there’s no proof of that, other than WalMart, which has been the best thing to happen to America the past decade. The elites hate it because it’s way to rebuild communities and aid the poor. The far left elite Democrats don’t want that or else those folks will start voting Republican.
But buttom line: unions are evil. Most know they’ve outlived any usefulness.
75k per year for union teachers who work 30 hr weeks, 6 hr days and have summers off. Union workers elsewhere make $30 per hour to sit in a chair and wait for 5…er…4pm to leave. Totally UN-American.
Interesting article but what’s it supposed to prove?
For Pete’s sake, if McCain has to be even slightly worried about rural Indiana,or indeed about Indiana in general, he might as well concede now and save on campaign funds.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, but I grew up during my summer vacations when we drove Route 66 to Chicago and spent summers in rural Ohio. Thank you for reminding us of the difference between the coastal facade and real America.
Just to update:
The Allison aircraft engine plants were renamed Roll-Royce Corporation years ago after a transition period as Rolls-Royce Allison.
The automotive transmission business goes as Allison Transmission, which was sold to private equity firms last year.
GM has no ownership in either now.
I just finished a long project at one Rolls-Royce plant in Indy, and the non-union engineering people I worked with there were generally staunchly conservative.
“Interesting article but what’s it supposed to prove?”
I was not trying to prove anything. This was an analysis, not an editorial. I was, as the title suggests, taking the pulse of the heartland—particularly this small town.
And to answer you second query, I don’t think McCain needs to worry about these folks. If Obama were more centrist perhaps, but BHO is a far left candidate with little experience, a naive world vision and antipathy to “bitter” small town folks. The moderates will not vote for him, and that includes most Democrats in small towns, i.e. Hillary voters.
Bob, thank you for the info on Allison.