“I think his entire message will resonate with Hoosier Democratic voters,” Tew said. “I think this is a real battleground. Obviously Senator Clinton has the very large help and assistance of Evan Bayh and that should never be underestimated.”

Clinton’s staff expects to open offices in each of Indiana’s nine congressional districts as part of what state campaign chairman Joe Hogsett said is an effort “to mine support throughout the state, from all four corners of the state.”

“If this week is indicative of how Hillary Clinton’s campaign will not only conduct itself but will be received by the people of Indiana, I am very optimistic that her fortunes will be quite good on primary day,” said Hogsett, a former Indiana secretary of state and close Bayh ally.

Clinton is banking heavily on a win in Pennsylvania’s April 22 primary, while her campaign officials expect Obama to win North Carolina, which votes the same day as Indiana.

“Indiana looks to be one where it could conceivably go either way,” Williams said. “It’s going to be as close to a battleground state as I think you can find here in the next month of the campaign.”