Obama campaigns in Indiana

COLUMBUS, Ind., April 11 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is trying woo Indiana Republicans, campaigning in traditional GOP strongholds in the Hoosier State.

The Indianapolis Star reported Friday that the junior senator from Illinois told an audience in Columbus that he promises to fundamentally change Washington by lessening the influence of lobbyists.

Obama also vowed to end the war in Iraq, jettison "No Child Left Behind," make college more affordable and promised to reinvest in domestic programs.

Obama was at Columbus East High School as part of his four-day bus trip across Indiana. He will end his trip in Muncie Saturday morning, the newspaper said.

He is in a prolonged battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

Obama said with neither close to clinching the 2,025 delegates needed for the nomination, Indiana could play a pivotal role in determining who is at the top of the party's ticket.

Indiana holds its primary on May 6, after the closely watched April 22 primary in Pennsylvania.