CARMEL, INDIANA — Just left the Whole Foods parking lot in Carmel, an Indianapolis suburb so new they have statues of people on the street while they’re waiting for the real ones to move it. Carmel represents a classic early 21st century demographic movement — upper income, mostly white folks moving from the coasts and Chicago, attracted by the tech and health care industries here.  It scrambles the politics of these areas.

Once solidly Republican, the Obama changeseekers are moving in.  Hence, in the lot, the Honda Element with a Barack Obama sticker across from the seven-seater with the “Mom for McCain” bumper sticker.  That Mom, Missy, was loading in groceries for her seven-year-old twin boys when we approached.  At first, she told us, she was interested in Obama, but when she learned about his ideas, she says she became “really, really scared.”  Missy said she was for Republicans because they believed in staying “out of your business.”  As for Indiana Senator Evan Bayh on the Democratic ticket?  Wouldn’t change her vote, but (cue nervous laugh), “it would make me less terrified.”