The Air Force One landing went smoothly.  It landed about 5:40, a half hour later than originally scheduled.

  Secret Service Agents lined the tarmac and sharp shooters waited on the roof of the airport.  About 25 people were allowed to watch the President’s arrival behind barricades.  No one from the group would comment on how they were invited to Obama’s arrival.

  President Obama quickly walked down the stairs to a waiting vehicle.  No one from Indianapolis was here to greet him.

  The President is supposed to depart Indianapolis at 7:20.

Air Force One just landed at the Indianapolis International Airport.

Obama is supposed to arrive around 5:35.

President Obama was supposed to arrive at the Indianapolis International Airport at 5:05 but we were just told that he will arrive later than expected.

The gymnasium at Concord High School is filling quickly.  People are excited about President Obama’s visit.  But that excitement comes with hardship for many here in Elkhart County.  Unemployment is at 15.2% – twice the national rate. 

Elkhart was once known as the RV Capital of the World.  According to the city, one in four jobs were connected to the RV Industry.  Back in the late 90’s, I worked as a reporter in the South Bend/Elkhart television market.  When the economy was good, times were good here in Elkhart.  Employers had plenty of jobs for workers.  But when the economy starts sinking, one of the first industries hit is the RV Industry.  Boy, was it hard last year.  In 2008, unemployment rose 10 percent in Elkhart.  People are hurting.  They came here today looking for some of that hope President Obama talked about when he was campaigning.   With no job, and few people hiring, many say all they have left is hope.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Still photos on the web and video on television newscasts keep showing Governor Mitch Daniels standing alongside Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich during a meeting with President-elect Barack Obama last week.

According to Daniels press secretary Jane Jankowski the governors at the meeting were assigned to sit in the order the state was admitted to the Union (Indiana 19, Illinois 21.)   That alone accounts for the close proximity, she says.

Somehow, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (state #20) is out of view.

It’s been so exciting working at WISH-TV on Election Day. The AP has declared Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. The staff here has worked incredibly hard to bring the best coverage not only locally but nationally. It’s been great to be a part of it all.

Here are the down and dirty results from the Indiana House races. Courtesy: AP

A look at the winners of Indiana’s election for the U.S. House of Representatives:

DISTRICT 1:
Democrat Peter Visclosky won a 13th term in the heavily Democratic district after beating Republican Mark Leyva and Libertarian Jeff Duensing.

DISTRICT 2:
Democrat Joe Donnelly, first elected in 2006, beat Republican businessman Luke Puckett and Libertarian Mark Vogel.

DISTRICT 3:
Republican Mark Souder, first elected in 1994, held onto his seat after defeating attorney Mike Montagano, a Democrat, and Libertarian William Larsen.

DISTRICT 4:
Republican Steve Buyer won a ninth term in the heavily Republican district, beating Democrat Nels Ackerson.

DISTRICT 5:
Republican Dan Burton, first elected in 1982, easily won re-election over Democrat Mary Etta Ruley in the heavily Republican district.

DISTRICT 6:
Republican Mike Pence, first elected in 2000, beat Democrat Barry Welsh and Libertarian George Holland.

DISTRICT 7:
Democrat Andre Carson, who won a special election in March to succeed his late grandmother, won his first full term in Congress
after beating Republican Gabrielle Campo.

DISTRICT 8:
Democrat Brad Ellsworth, first elected in 2006, beat Republican challenger Greg Goode.

DISTRICT 9:
Democrat Baron Hill beat Republican Mike Sodrel, whom Hill has faced in four consecutive elections, and Libertarian Eric Schansberg.

I’ve worked in several markets, but WISH-TV has been the most exciting place to work on Election Day. You can just feel the energy in the newsroom. Everyone wants to do a great job and it shows. It’s great to be a part of a team that strives for excellence.

Incumbent Andre Carson is on stage at the downtown Marriott Hotel giving his victory speech. Carson told Democratic supporters Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States.