Pat Dollard | Young Americans

MARION, Ind. - Democrat Barack Obama argued Saturday that voters are yearning for “straight talk and honesty” as he sought distinctions with rival Hillary Rodham Clinton just nine days before the next round of primaries in the hotly contested race for the presidential nomination.

Just 40 miles away in Fort Wayne, Clinton trotted out popular Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and hammered bedrock economic themes, saying an industrial comeback is possible with the right policies.

“We can do that again, but we need, as Senator Bayh said, a president who doesn’t just talk about it but who actually rolls up her sleeves and gets to work,” said Clinton.

The two were stumping in the heart of Republican territory in Indiana, and Obama borrowed a line from Republican John McCain, who campaigns in his “straight talk express.”

“I was convinced that the American people were tired of the politics that’s all about tearing each other down. The American people were tired of spin and PR, they wanted straight talk and honesty from their elected officials,” said Obama.

Seeking his own tie to state politics and working to put himself above traditional party lines, the Democrat praised Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican icon in Indiana, as he opened his campaign day with a town hall-style meeting before about 2,000 backers.

“Dick Lugar and I have worked together closely. I consider him a friend and I think he is one of the finest senators that we have,” said Obama.

Obama was swinging through Indiana industrial bastions Marion and Anderson, sounding core economic themes, and pledging to offer voters a message that transcends traditional party lines, arguing that motivated his bid for the nomination.

“I want Republicans involved in this movement for change,” said Obama. “I want to bring together Republicans and Democrats. I just don’t like a certain kind of Republicanism that George Bush and Karl Rove, that they’ve been peddling over the last seven and half years.”

Clinton was focused in eastern Indiana along the Ohio border in industrial pockets as well, seeking to build a coalition of working- class voters similar to the one that served her well in neighboring Ohio.

Upcoming primary contests on May 6 in Indiana and North Carolina are crucial, but Clinton deflected questions about how she would handle a loss.

“I don’t make predictions or speculate on things that haven’t happened yet,” said Clinton.

Obama is favored in North Carolina, but the polls have shown the race in Indiana far too close to call.

With no end in sight soon for the Democratic contest, Obama sought to ease worries that the intraparty fight will leave the party vulnerable in November.

“Everybody is kind of nervous about this Democratic primary, it’s been going on a long time,” said Obama. “I have my differences with Senator Clinton and she has her differences with me. We will be united in November and beat John McCain and the Republicans.”

Obama argued that Democrats have an important choice in the dwindling final primary contests.

“I have some differences with Senator Clinton and that’s why this primary election is so important,” said Obama. He pointed to Clinton’s explanation for her support for a revision of the nation’s bankruptcy laws, arguing “you don’t need that kind of double-talk.”

Obama also underscored his differences with certain Republican nominee John McCain.

“John McCain says he’s different, but when you look at his policies he’s got no agenda for you, how to make you a little more successful,” Obama told his heavily blue-collar audience. “We know in our hearts that this country is not going down the right track, something needs to change right now and that’s what’s at stake in this election.”

McCain’s campaign was quick to respond. “This again shows that Barack Obama doesn’t understand the economy. Americans are looking for proof that the next president is going to be someone who understands their needs,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said in a statement.

The drawn-out Democratic contest kept Obama and Clinton busy in heavily Republican Indiana Saturday, spending time and money in a state that’s virtually certain to fall into the GOP’s column in the fall election.

Obama continued emphasize soaring gas prices that are pinching working families.

“I want to initiate a windfall profits tax to go after the oil companies so we can get some rebates for people who actually need help,” said Obama, warning “the truth is prices aren’t going to go down over the long term that much” because of soaring demand in countries like China and India.

(AP)