ELKHART -- It's no accident that President Barack Obama picked Elkhart to discuss his economic stimulus plan, meant to jump-start the nation's economy.

Unemployment here is particularly high and the local economy is teetering, ripe conditions, arguably, for a message centered on job creation, analysts say. And by coming to a state such as Indiana -- traditionally Republican but a win for Obama in last fall's presidential vote -- the pressure grows on GOP lawmakers to fall behind the president or risk angering their constituents who voted last November for the Democrat.

"What he's doing is hoping to put some cross-pressure on Republican lawmakers," said James McCann, a professor of political science at Purdue University. "The hope is that you can influence lawmakers in (Washington) D.C. by going outside to bring the public in."

Likewise, coming to a Republican place like Elkhart County bolsters Obama's stated goal of bipartisanship and conveys the message that the stimulus package "is not for narrow, partisan Democratic purposes," said Sean Savage, a political scientist at Saint Mary's College in South Bend.

"Indiana is supposed to be the heart of the American heartland," said Savage. "There is a symbolism of contrasts."

Still, appearing here hardly means the president gets a free ride from Republicans.

Though Democrats overwhelmingly back stimulus plans in the U.S. House and Senate, Republicans have balked. The plans put forth thus far call for billions of dollars in funding to create jobs via road and other infrastructure development, among other things, but many Republicans think the bigger focus should be on tax cuts.

Robert Moore, a Republican from Goshen who was on hand outside McCuen Gym at Concord High School on Monday, where Obama held his town hall meeting, acknowledged the conditions here that bode well for Obama's message, at least in theory. He didn't attend Obama's address, instead lobbying outside among the spectators waiting to enter against all the proposed infrastructure spending.

"He's chosen Elkhart because it's a showcase place, with the highest unemployment," Moore said. "People are desperate for answers."

Unemployment here measures 15.3 percent and announcements of layoffs have become a regular occurrence.

Moore, however, called the effort by Obama and Democrats a bid to use the critical economic situation to implement changes that would otherwise be unacceptable. "What we need is reduced taxes, a level playing field in international markets," he said.

'PERMANENT CAMPAIGN MODE'

Regardless of the message, McCann said Obama's decision to take to the road, outside the confines of Washington, D.C., indicates an early turn to "permanent campaign mode." In days of yore, presidents would typically wheel and deal among lawmakers for support, but he said more and more, they are appealing directly to the public instead.

Elkhart isn't the only hard hit place Obama plans to visit. He'll make an address today in Fort Myers, Fla., which Savage says has one of the highest home foreclosure rates in the country.