SOUTH BEND — It's still four months until we vote, but the candidates are already fighting for Indiana votes. Sen. Barack Obama will open at least 20 regional offices throughout the state, including one in South Bend.

Experts say it's an unconventional method to try to win a traditionally Republican state. They say candidates usually open their first offices in strongholds.

But party leaders expect both candidates to change the game by investing a lot of time and money in states that have gone to their opponents in the past. While Democrats expect to see Obama in Indiana, Republicans expect to see more of McCain in Michigan.

Sen. Barack Obama is a man hoping for change.

"He feels he can win Indiana," said Butch Morgan, St. Joseph County Democratic Party chairman.

Indiana hasn't voted Democratic since 1964. So, Obama is making a visible presence in South Bend.

"They are here to win. They are here to win Indiana," said Morgan.

On Saturday, Obama will open five offices in Indiana; and another one on Monday.

Sen. John McCain may not far behind.

"We are going to open offices around the state and at the end of the day, deliver the state to Senator McCain," said Chris Riley, St. Joseph County Republican chairman.

A recent Newsweek poll has Obama leading McCain 44 to 41 with a margin of error of four points.

Obama is also leading McCain in fundraising, but McCain's fundraising is now moving along. June was his best month, raising more than $22 million.

But Saint Mary's College professor Sean Savage says Obama's offices are a way to drain that money.

"It's a way for Obama to try to force McCain to spend scarce time and scarce money here in Indiana, a state which should solidly be for McCain," he said.

Savage says it's a move McCain may make in Michigan.

"There is enough social conservatism, independent voters, and swing voters that could go to McCain if he spends enough time and advertising in Michigan," said Savage.

Both parties know the stakes are high in Indiana and Michigan.

"If he wins Indiana, it means he [Obama] will win other states similar to Indiana, which are Republican strongholds," said Morgan.

"Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota — three states that have gone blue in the past — he's [McCain] is very excited about those states and realizes his chances of winning those states are high," said Riley.

Savage says another reason Obama is opening offices in Indiana could be because he's considering Evan Bayh as a running mate.

The Democratic party says it would welcome that decision.

Obama's office in South Bend will officially open at 11 a.m. Saturday at 135 S. Lafayette Blvd.