Wisconsin certainly matters to Hillary Clinton.
The Badger State has its presidential primaries next Tuesday, and some are calling Wisconsin a "firewall" state for the former First Lady. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama seized momentum in the Democratic Party presidential race this weekend, sweeping contests in Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington.
Polls show Obama leading in Virginia and Maryland, which have primaries tomorrow along with the District of Columbia. By Wednesday morning, Obama could lead in the close and confusing delegate count.
But if observers have learned one thing in this presidential campaign, it's to expect the unexpected. And momentum for Obama this week could be Clinton's gain the next.
Polls show Clinton leading in Wisconsin. A survey of likely voters by American Research Group conducted Feb. 6-7 gives Clinton a 50 to 41 percent advantage here over Obama.
A win in Wisconsin will be crucial for either Democratic candidate. If Clinton wins, it's an opportunity to halt Obama's roll in advance of the mini-Super Tuesday of March 4 that includes primaries in Texas and Ohio. If Obama wins, he will have an impressive string of victories heading into two key contests and Clinton will have to endure two weeks of negative press.
Wisconsin gains in importance because it is the only Democratic Party primary between tomorrow and March 4. The only other Democratic contest on Feb. 19 is a caucus in Hawaii.
Hopefully, the importance of Wisconsin to both Democratic candidates leads to a number of campaign appearances in the state. Obama is scheduled to be at the Kohl Center in Madison on Tuesday. Chelsea Clinton is to be in Madison today, and is scheduled to make three other stops in Wisconsin.
Ideally, Obama and Clinton would agree to a debate in Wisconsin in the next week. The Clinton campaign has asked Obama to agree to four debates before March 4. Thus far, Obama has agreed to only one.
Particularly because of the Healthy Wisconsin debate here, further discussion between the candidates on their proposals for universal health care would be beneficial.
With our region and the state being a hotbed for alternative energy projects, more talk about the candidates' positions on ethanol and other biofuels also would be appropriate.
Regrettably, the Republican primary in Wisconsin won't draw nearly as much interest as the Democrats. Arizona Sen. John McCain essentially has the nomination wrapped up, barring a campaign collapse or a miraculous comeback from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. McCain has faltered a bit in the past week, including Saturday's controversial win in Washington. Perhaps Wisconsin becomes a state where he gets his "Straight Talk" Express back on track and rolls to the nomination.
The Badger State has its presidential primaries next Tuesday, and some are calling Wisconsin a "firewall" state for the former First Lady. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama seized momentum in the Democratic Party presidential race this weekend, sweeping contests in Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington.
Polls show Obama leading in Virginia and Maryland, which have primaries tomorrow along with the District of Columbia. By Wednesday morning, Obama could lead in the close and confusing delegate count.
But if observers have learned one thing in this presidential campaign, it's to expect the unexpected. And momentum for Obama this week could be Clinton's gain the next.
Polls show Clinton leading in Wisconsin. A survey of likely voters by American Research Group conducted Feb. 6-7 gives Clinton a 50 to 41 percent advantage here over Obama.
A win in Wisconsin will be crucial for either Democratic candidate. If Clinton wins, it's an opportunity to halt Obama's roll in advance of the mini-Super Tuesday of March 4 that includes primaries in Texas and Ohio. If Obama wins, he will have an impressive string of victories heading into two key contests and Clinton will have to endure two weeks of negative press.
Wisconsin gains in importance because it is the only Democratic Party primary between tomorrow and March 4. The only other Democratic contest on Feb. 19 is a caucus in Hawaii.
Hopefully, the importance of Wisconsin to both Democratic candidates leads to a number of campaign appearances in the state. Obama is scheduled to be at the Kohl Center in Madison on Tuesday. Chelsea Clinton is to be in Madison today, and is scheduled to make three other stops in Wisconsin.
Ideally, Obama and Clinton would agree to a debate in Wisconsin in the next week. The Clinton campaign has asked Obama to agree to four debates before March 4. Thus far, Obama has agreed to only one.
Particularly because of the Healthy Wisconsin debate here, further discussion between the candidates on their proposals for universal health care would be beneficial.
With our region and the state being a hotbed for alternative energy projects, more talk about the candidates' positions on ethanol and other biofuels also would be appropriate.
Regrettably, the Republican primary in Wisconsin won't draw nearly as much interest as the Democrats. Arizona Sen. John McCain essentially has the nomination wrapped up, barring a campaign collapse or a miraculous comeback from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. McCain has faltered a bit in the past week, including Saturday's controversial win in Washington. Perhaps Wisconsin becomes a state where he gets his "Straight Talk" Express back on track and rolls to the nomination.
