Polling stations are preparing for a record setting turnout in today’s presidential primary in Indiana. Both campaigns continue to vie for votes at a feverish pace in a contest that will play a key role in determining the eventual Democratic nominee.

Following a crucial win in Pennsylvania Senator Hillary Clinton is looking to further her momentum by winning a state often described as Senator Barack Obama’s “second home”. Meanwhile, a win in Indiana coupled with a victory in North Carolina could give the Illinois Senator the knockout punch his campaign so desperately seeks.

The latest round of polling gives Senator Clinton a slight edge in a contest that remains central to both campaigns attempts to woo elusive super delegates. A Clinton victory would bolster her claim that Obama fails to draw support from working class voters that will decide crucial swing states in November. An Obama win potentially lays those claims to rest while increasing pressure on Clinton to end her bid for the White House.

Obama supporters tend to explain that their candidate is best suited to bring about the change that Washington needs. Rali Abdullah traveled from San Francisco to campaign for the Senator in the Hoosier State.

“He’s the hope of our future,” she says while explaining that Obama is the candidate who will bring “those troops home.”

Perry Johnson, an Indianapolis native and fellow campaign volunteer, says that Obama can “unify the party and the country,” while projecting “a positive image across the world about the United States.”

Lalita Amos, a small business owner, notes that current economic conditions remind her of the depressing job market she met as a college graduate. She thinks that the Senator is best suited to handle the current slump.

“If I don’t come out and support Barack Obama it’s gonna be a repeat of what happened when I graduated and I’m not gonna stand for it,” she emphasizes.

In turn, Clinton supporters stress the Senator’s attention to detail in explaining their choice.

“I feel like she really has the policies that are gonna be effective,” says Averie Timm at a Hoosiers for Hillary gathering in the Indianapolis suburb of Zionsville. Timm, a 17-year-old campaign intern, appreciates Clinton’s detailed policy proposals regarding a potential withdrawal from Iraq.

Sharlette Mordon, another Hoosiers for Hillary attendee, says that Clinton’s “ideals are parallel to how I feel,” noting that the Senator “stands for all the things I believe in.”

Mordon says that health care and the economy are the two most important issues in the current campaign cycle.

Quick Hits   

-Indiana’s demographics give Senator Clinton an edge while Senator Obama benefits from voter familiarity as the top of the state resides within Chicago’s media market.

-Pay special attention to the returns from Indiana’s Northern tip, as they will likely decide the victor. Up state, especially Lake County, has the largest concentration of African American and working class voters. Each group forms a core component of Senator Obama’s and Clinton’s constituencies.

-College towns will likely provide a large chunk of Senator Obama’s support. Bloomington, South Bend, and West Lafayette were all visited by the Senator several times.

-If Clinton wins she owes much of her support to the good graces of Indiana’s most popular politician. Senator Evan Bayh has been a campaign stalwart as the Clinton machine has traversed the state.  

-Both candidates used celebrity endorsements to appeal to Hoosier voters. Senator Obama’s campaign brought out Dave Matthews and Kal Penn while Senator Clinton campaigned with rocker John Mellencamp.