Is Bloomington liberal and progressive? (college, organic, stores)

[NewHomeOregon]

I've noticed that Bloomington, IN is listed as a liberal and progressive city on a couple of websites. Is that true? Is it a very cultural area? Is there much to do? I love hiking and nature. Is this an area which is accepting of cultural diversity and sexual orientation? I am a straight female, but I feel more comfortable in tolerant environments. How would you rate walkability in Bloomington? Are there large health food stores in the area that carry organic produce? Sorry for the glut of questions! Any help will be appreciated.

[domergurl]

Bloomington is interesting. The area has a mix of crunchy granola tie dye people (was one once!) to politically progressive people all affiliated with IU, much like most college towns would. but you get outside the IU environment, it's rural and conservative Indiana. Bloomington itself seems to be very liberal, but that's because of IU.

Bloomington has an awesome co-operative grocery called Bloomingfoods. Love that place.

[htfdcolt]

Liberal & progressive? By Hoosier standards yes...not anywhere close to Berkeley, CA or Cambridge, MA for example...

[wh15395]

Originally Posted by BillyTheKid69

LMAO, are you kidding me? This is Indiana still, where liberals are hated with a passion.
Do some research buddy

We voted for Obama in 2008.......

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by wh15395

We voted for Obama in 2008.......

Exactly (albeit barely). Liberals are certainly outnumbered in Indiana. Hated with a passion is an overstatement.

[domergurl]

The 08 Obama victory in Indiana was a complete fluke. Won't happen again.

[indy18]

Originally Posted by wh15395

We voted for Obama in 2008.......

Yeah, and that was the first time Indiana went blue since 1964. It will probably be another 40 or so years before it happens again.

Everything had to go right (from a Democratic perspective) for Obama to win Indiana. A despised incumbent that was a Republican, an economic collapse, and a "cool" candidate in Obama who ran a flawless campaign and was able to muster up the young vote.

Those circumstances won't happen for him in '12. He'll get waxed in Indiana and I doubt he even spends much time campaigning here. He knows his resources will be better spent in a state where he has a chance.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by indy18

Yeah, and that was the first time Indiana went blue since 1964. It will probably be another 40 or so years before it happens again.

Everything had to go right (from a Democratic perspective) for Obama to win Indiana. A despised incumbent that was a Republican, an economic collapse, and a "cool" candidate in Obama who ran a flawless campaign and was able to muster up the young vote.

Those circumstances won't happen for him in '12. He'll get waxed in Indiana and I doubt he even spends much time campaigning here. He knows his resources will be better spent in a state where he has a chance.

I think you and DG are missing the point .... That Obama won here means that liberals are despised. They're just outnumbered.

[Ravekid]

Originally Posted by domergurl

The 08 Obama victory in Indiana was a complete fluke. Won't happen again.

Yea. Somehow, people actually believe him when he opened his mouth and said he would save the day. Rule #1 with about 90% of politicians: When their mouths are open, they are lying.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I think you and DG are missing the point .... That Obama won here means that liberals are despised. They're just outnumbered.

Aren't despised, I should say.