Former President Clinton appeared on stage at North Central High School with two Democratic candidates, John Gregg and Joe Donnelly.  Clinton came at the invitation of John Gregg, the Democrat running for governor, but while Gregg stood behind the former President, and alongside Joe Donnelly, it may be Donnelly, the Senate candidate, who benefited most from the Clinton speech.

Here’s how Clinton characterized his opponent, Republican Richard Mourdock.  “What is this idea that it’s my way or the highway?” asked Clinton.  “Let me tell ya, I tell everybody all the time I was raised to believe that nobody’s right all the time. Now, maybe Mr. Mourdock is, I don’t know. He’s way right all the time, I know that.”

Three thousand tickets were passed out for the free event.  A thousand people were turned away.  The hope from Democrats is that energy generated at the rally will spread.  There were even some thinly veiled appeals to Lugar Republicans as Clinton talked about Mourdock’s primary victory.  “I thought he’d at least might have acknowledged that Dick Lugar made this country a safer, stronger place for 30 years,” said the former President, “and not be so ungracious.”

“He’s talking to everyone in Indiana,” said Donnelly, “and saying your vote is critical here.”

Next week Arizona Senator John McCain and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be in Indiana to campaign for Mourdock.