Barack Obama will be back in Indianapolis next month.

There is word that the President will attend a fundraiser for four Democratic members of Congress from Indiana, Brad Ellsworth, Baron Hill, Joe Donnelly, and Andre Carson on May 17th.  It’s a coup for Baron Hill who extended the invitation.

Carson appeared with Obama last year and in 2006 the then-Illinois Senator campaigned here for the other three.

Congressman Baron Hill (D-9th district) addressed the Indiana House of Representatives this afternoon, an appearance that mirrored one during the Electoral College meeting in the same House chamber in December.   It caused some in the hallway to wonder if this is the beginning of a 2012 run for governor.

If so, Hill knows that Indiana is a tough state for a Democrat to win and that might explain part of his message.   He asked lawmakers to be as bi-partisan as possible.  Ask yourselves, he said about members of the opposite party, “What can I do to get along, rather than what can I do to trip them up?  You’ll be a lot better off.”

The program is underway at the Barack Obama rally with Indiana Democratic candidates on stage including Congressman Baron Hill who was introduced by the PA announcer as “Bill” Hill.  That’s a name ID problem.

Jill Long Thompson can drive a tractor, according to Linda Pence’s introduction of her.  Long Thompson recites much of her current TV ad without a reference to “George Bush economics,” or a direct reference to Governor Mitch Daniels.

Baron Hill says he’s never spoken to this many people before, says it makes him nervous.  Hill adds accurately, “This is all new, folks,”  in reference to Obama’s chance to win Indiana.

You will hear many reasons to vote for Barack Obama if you watch the Democratic National Convention this week.

Congressman Baron Hill addressed the Indiana Delegation here in Denver today and got emotional at one point. 

Hill shared how his son-in-law, Josh Hamilton, died of cancer just over a month ago and how Barack Obama took time out to make a personal phone call to Hamilton about a week before he passed away.  Hill says Obama told Hamilton to keep fighting and said the phone call is evidence of the kind of person Obama really is.

Our coverage of the Indiana delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver begins tomorrow.  The trip to Denver began with an interesting sight:  Congressman Baron Hill and wife Betty taking things out of one suitcase and putting them in another right in front of the ticket counter in Indianapolis.  They had to find a way to get under the 50 pound limit.  No breaks, even if you’re a Congressman.

The Indiana Hotel is a long way from the airport and a long way from the convention center in downtown Denver.  It is in suburban Englewood and some members of the delegation don’t think its the best hotel they visited recently.  Entertainment and dining choices nearby are also limited.  Does that mean that Indiana is not in play the way some people claim?

Evan Bayh is a big topic of conversation among arriving delegates.  There is disappointment that Barack Obama didn’t choose him as a running mate but no one seems overly upset.  Some of the Indiana delegates took part in a conference call this afternoon with Obama on the line.  He told them that he still plans to carry Indiana and they should not consider the selection of Joe Biden to be a slight to this state.

Congressman Baron Hill’s office confirms that Hill will issue a public endorsement of Barack Obama at Obama’s Bloomington rally tonight.  Hill is a superdelegate and here is the latest superdelegate scorecard from Indiana with 12 at stake:

Clinton-5

Obama-4

Undecided-3