Democratic presidential candidates may visit South Bend

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left and Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., arrive to participate in a debate at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 7, 2008 at 5:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2008 at 6:45 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — The road to the White House could come through Michiana. Democratic Party officials have been in talks with the campaigns for both Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama about a possible visit to South Bend ahead of Indiana's primary on May 6.

Senator Hillary Clinton's victory in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday raised the stakes in the race for Indiana's delegates.

"I got home and I thought this changes the dynamics quickly. This is going to put us in a spot of importance on the map," said Troy Warner, a local coordinator for Obama's campaign.

Warner says the campaign called that night asking for lists of volunteers and potential sites for a campaign office.

Party officials say the candidates could visit on March 24, which is Dyngus Day and Solidarity Day. Obama may visit as soon as next weekend.

"I think right now they're trying to figure out timewise what works the best," said Butch Morgan, chairman of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party.

Robert Kennedy visited South Bend on Dyngus Day in 1968, perhaps the last primary campaign in which Indiana mattered this much.

Clinton supporter and former South Bend Common Council member Charlotte Pfeiffer says it's little wonder why both candidates would be interested in coming here.

"Northern Indiana has always been a Democratic stronghold, ever since I can remember," Pfeiffer said. "And that's really exciting to see us play a prominent role."

Morgan said he expects to know by next week whether the candidates will indeed visit South Bend, and where that visit would be.

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