Chicago Area Local News

HIGHLAND, Ind. (CBS) ― A new poll says Barack Obama is gaining steam in the last days before the election, and on Friday, he returns to a corner of the greater Chicago area that remains very much a battleground – northwest Indiana.

In 2004 President Bush won Indiana handily but in 2008 it is a battleground state. A new CBS News/New York Times poll indicates Obama now leads John McCain by 11 percentage points, 52 percent to 41 percent, among likely voters nationwide.

But a small percentage of these voters could still switch sides: The figures include both firm supporters of each candidate and those who lean towards one or the other but have not fully committed. These so-called leaners, however, make up less than 10 percent of each candidate's support, a sign that significant movement in the campaign's final days is not likely. Just five percent of the likely voters surveyed remain completely undecided.

CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman spoke with someone from the Obama campaign who said the goal is to turn this traditionally red state, blue.

Preparation was the order of the day in Highland. Wicker Memorial Park is playing host to elected officials, VIPs, and an estimated 30,000 to 70,000 other people.

"They have scientifically figured that each person takes up three square feet. They figured out linear square feet of the entire park, and so we have an entire park in which people can stand," said North Township trustee Frank Mrvan.

Many area residents left nothing to chance. They put on their Obama wear early to make sure they got some of that standing space.

"Yes we're waiting in line. I was here at 6 [a.m.], we got some people that were here at seven," said Obama supporter Kim King.

"We're gonna get a seat, we're gonna see him. We're definitely gonna see him," said supporter Carol Sanders.

"Everybody's talking about it -- it's gonna bring a lot of traffic – hopefully a lot of business to the town of Highland," said Highland resident Kent Johnsen.

He has parking for $20 in his restaurant lot, and so do some of his neighbors. They're banking on people pouring in to be a part of a little history. The last time anything super big politically happened here was1927.

That's when President Calvin Coolidge stopped by to dedicate Wicker Park. This time the visitor is someone who could be in the oval office.

"Senator Obama has chosen Lake County to say 'I need your vote.' And to come here in our community, I think that's exciting. No matter who it would be I think it's exciting," Mrvan said.

He says he expects Obama to make his closing arguments with a little Hoosier flair when he takes the stage sometime around 8 p.m.

There are plenty of police officers on hand from at least five different agencies, and traffic is expected to be tough, so you might want to consider a carpool if you're heading to the area.

Early Voting Draws Huge Crowds
Some voters in northwest Indiana said they waited as long as three hours before casting their early ballots at a courthouse in Hammond, Ind.

Watching the long lines of early voters, Democratic election officials have decided to keep Lake County's four early polling places open over the weekend and until noon on Monday.

At the Lake County Courthouse in Hammond on Friday morning, no one was surprised that the polling place was crowded, but many were surprised that the process had not been streamlined. Some were less than pleased with the situation.

Voters crowded into the basement of courthouse, 232 Russell St., at 8 a.m. Dozens signed up to reserve a place in line and get a turn at one of only two voting machines set up to reserve the crowd.

Early voting has been so popular in Indiana that wait times have gone up to four hours in some states.

Many residents said they tried to vote earlier this week, but the lines were too long. On Friday, they were determined to get it done.

"I'm happy that everybody's trying to get their vote heard," said Marvin Housing. "It's important to a lot of people apparently."

"Some people can't go at all, don't have a say so, so if this is what it takes, this is what you do," said Thomas Graham. "Just do it."

Early voting was first used in Indiana during the primary earlier this year. Election officials say there is confusion because the system is new, and state laws have no provisions to make the process uniform across Indiana.

Meanwhile, there is a bitter battle continuing in court over early voting in Lake County.

Almost everyone in Indiana believes the early voting is giving a big boost to Obama. Republicans on Thursday asked the Indiana Court of Appeals to shut down early voting in Hammond, Gary and East Chicago, in part because of Lake County's history of vote fraud.

A few years ago, East Chicago had to redo a mayoral election tainted by vote fraud. A conservative commentator who wrote a book called "Stealing Elections" argued Republicans are right to demand special-election procedures in Lake County.

"There are lots of shenanigans," John Fund said.

Counters Gary Mayor Rudy Clay: "The Republican Party in the state of Indiana, especially in Lake County, Ind. know that (Republican) John McCain is losing and they're trying to stop the people from voting."

Whether Obama wins Indiana or not next Tuesday, it is remarkable with his appearance Friday he will be the first Democratic presidential candidate in a generation to seriously contest the Hoosier state. At the Highland event, he plans to talk about his vision for change.

Before he comes to Highland, Obama plans to participate in some Halloween activities with his daughter. Those who attend the Highland event are asked to get their Halloween activities done before they arrive and not show up in costumes.

Meanwhile, McCain is focusing on Pennsylvania and Ohio on Friday, trying to draw contrasts between Obama and himself.

Obama has an edge in most polling, both nationally and in key states. His closing schedule reflected that, including a swing through Missouri and another full day in Ohio on Sunday. Ohio provided the margin of victory four years ago, giving Bush a second term.

CBS 2's Joanie Lum, Kristyn Hartman, Political Editor Mike Flannery, and CBS News contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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