Hill predicts 'sea change' in Congress

By Matt Batcheldor
mbatcheldor@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Former congressman Lee Hamilton made a quick stop in New Albany yesterday with Democratic House candidate Baron Hill in an effort to energize voters less than two weeks before the Nov. 7 election.

About 50 people, most wearing Hill stickers, applauded as the pair arrived at the South Side Inn for a brief rally.

"We're winning! We're winning!" Hill exclaimed as he entered, later citing unspecified polls that show him leading Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel and Libertarian Eric Schansberg in the 9th District race.

"As a matter of fact, we're getting better," he said. "We're not getting worse. But the only poll that counts is the poll on Election Day."

Hill predicted a "sea change" if Democrats reclaim Congress. He did not offer specifics, but said the party would "get ahold" of budget deficits, "do something about health care" and change the course of the war in Iraq.

Hamilton, a Democrat who represented the 9th District for more than three decades, stressed the need for tax cuts for "ordinary Americans," helping people without health care and reducing dependence on foreign oil. He also said Democrats would provide better oversight of the Bush administration, noting that Republicans haven't been critical of President Bush's ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others.

Hamilton said the eyes of the nation will be on Indiana for the election, where polls will close at 6 p.m., earlier than most states.

"The center of the political universe is the state of Indiana in this election," he said.

Read more on yesterday's event by clicking on the Courier-Journal.com