WisPolitics.com Election Blog

A study from the University of Wisconsin Advertising Project finds that Barack Obama spent more than twice all other candidates combined in TV advertising in Wisconsin, and racked up nearly five times the airtime of Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Obama also went on the air nearly a week before Clinton, premiering his first ad on Feb. 6, while Clinton's debuted on Feb. 12.

In all, the Democrats and Republican candidates John McCain and Mike Huckabee saturated the airwaves with over 8,000 spots in Wisconsin, spending approximately $2.1 million, the project reports. The Obama campaign spent more than $1.5 million dollars to air almost 6,000 spots; Clinton spent a little over $300,000, and McCain and Huckabee spent $180,0000 and $150,000, respectively.

According to an analysis by the UW project, all of the ads aired by McCain and Huckabee were positive, while half of Clinton's ads had significant negative content, and one quarter of Obama's ads attacked or counterattacked Clinton.

The Advertising Project analyzed data obtained from the TNS Media Intelligence Campaign Media Analysis Group (TNSMI/CMAG). The report analyses political television advertising in five Wisconsin media markets (Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse) from February 6 to February 19.

Total by market:      Airings      Money Spent

Green Bay:              2005          $370,000
La Crosse:              1338          $250,000
Madison:                1580          $425,000
Milwaukee:             1799          $850,000
Wausau:                1534          $220,000

See the press release here.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, reiterated Thursday afternoon that he is leaning toward endorsing Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton for president. But, Feingold said, he's not there yet.

"I'm watching the race unfold," Feingold told WisPolitics.com in a brief telephone interview. "I think we'll know a lot more about the race in a few days, and the issue may well be irrelevant."

Feingold indicated he favors Obama because the Illinois Democrat defeated Clinton Tuesday in Wisconsin's Democratic presidential primary. Feingold cited Obama's victory in that contest as the biggest factor pushing him toward the Illinois Democrat.

When asked what was stopping him from endorsing outright, Feingold did not cite any specific reason. "Nothing's preventing me" from making a decision now, he said.

Feingold is one of the state Democratic Party's 16 super delegates. Obama already has the backing of seven super delegates, while two are backing Clinton.

-- By David M. Drucker

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen made it official today, pledging his super delegate vote to Barack Obama.

Kagen indicated before Tuesday's primary that he would support whoever won his district, which Obama took with about 56 percent of the vote. His office declined to say yesterday who he'd support.

But in a statement released today, he said he had spoken with Obama and Clinton last night to "express my appreciation for their great efforts to build a better nation for all of us."

But he said it was his responsibility to supporter the winner of his district.

"Senator Obama has earned my strongest support, and I look forward to working with him to guarantee access to affordable health care for all of us," he said in the statement.

Of the state's 16 super delegates, seven are now backing Obama while two are supporting Clinton.

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, another Dem super delegate, is also now saying he is "inclined" to support Obama.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Another Dem super delegate from Wisconsin is supporting Barack Obama.

Marquette University student Jason Rae, a Democratic National Committee member, said he decided to back Obama after seeing the overwhelming support he received from students and young people in Tuesday's primary. Rae said he had been undecided between Obama and Hillary Clinton himself until he walked into the voting booth Tuesday and went with his gut feeling.

He said when he was elected to the DNC, he decided that he wanted to represent the voice of his generation on the body.

"It was pretty clear and evident to me that my generation was speaking out for Senator Obama," Rae said.

That gives Obama six of the state's 16 super delegates, while Clinton has two. U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen had had indicated before the primary that he would pledged his super delegate vote to whoever won his district, and Obama won the 8th CD. But Kagen is so far holding off announcing a decision.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

--A collection of insider opinion--
(Feb. 19-20, 2008)

Rising

Barack Obama: The Dem presidential candidate sweeps to an overwhelming 17-point victory over Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's primary and grabs what could be a 14-delegate edge. Obama won all but 10 counties and rolled up huge margins in Dane and Milwaukee counties, eroding Clinton's support with women and blue-collar households in the process, according to unofficial returns. Obama's quick targeting of blue-collar Dems, his early TV advertising, his higher ad spending and Clinton's limited personal campaigning in Wisconsin (a snow day didn't help) contributed to the success, analysts say. He wins 12 more delegates than Clinton based on Tuesday's returns and picks up the support of super delegate Ron Kind, the congressman from La Crosse who promised to back the candidate who won his western Wisconsin district. Fellow super delegate Steve Kagen of Appleton made a similar pledge last week. Obama won the 8th CD as well, but Kagen was holding off as of Wednesday. If he follows through, that will give Obama a 14-delegate edge in Wisconsin.

John McCain: The Arizona senator uses a brief Wisconsin campaign to strengthen his grip on the Republican prez nomination and recruit conservative support. But about 42 percent of the Republican primary participants vote for somebody other than McCain (37 percent for Mike Huckabee and 5 percent for Ron Paul), and turnout on the Dem side is much higher. Still, McCain continues to pad his delegate lead, taking 31 of the 37 delegates awarded based on Tuesday's vote. He also has all three uncommitted GOP delegates backing him. Overall turnout was close to the projected 1.5 million voters, but about 1.1 million of those played in the more meaningful Dem primary. Hard-core conservatives are still warming up to McCain, but Wisconsin Republicans are closing ranks now -- a good indication for the fall, insiders say.

Jim Doyle: The enthusiastic Dem guv campaigns around the state for Obama and breaks the "Doyle endorsement curse" in a big way. Doyle gets to introduce Obama at the Kohl Center rally a week before the primary and then at a Saturday night Democratic Party dinner where Obama shines in front of national and state media. Fans say with Doyle's help, Obama was able to run a two-week campaign in Wisconsin while Clinton ran a lackluster effort. Doyle does a victory lap on primary night, declaring it "one of the great campaigns in the history of the state of Wisconsin." Insiders continue to wonder whether helping to deliver Wisconsin to Obama in the nomination phase of the prez contest will result in a job offer, and he gets some national notice on that front in the wake of Obama's big win. But first, skeptics say, he'll have to deliver the state in November, too, if Obama secures the Dem nomination.

Paul Ryan: It never hurts to be mentioned for higher office. Ryan, the 38-year-old conservative darling who represents the 1st Congressional District in Congress, is mentioned as a possible McCain running mate. Conservative sage Bob Novak taps him as a second-tier choice on "Meet the Press." Ryan demurs, and pundits say a Republican with guv experience from the Midwest or South is a better bet. But the mere mention adds to the young pol's standing.

Madison and Milwaukee: The cities show their power in Dem politics with big turnouts and 60 percent-plus winning percentages for Obama. Both city mayors -- Tom Barrett in Milwaukee and Dave Cieslewicz in Madison -- back the Illinois senator.

Mixed

Barb Lawton: While Doyle's out stumping for Obama and spurring speculation he might become a member of a possible Obama administration, the lieutenant guv is stumping hard for Clinton. She got attention over the weekend, campaigning with Clinton in Milwaukee. But she also got mixed reviews from insiders for her surrogate efforts and ends up on the losing end, having to defend a lackluster campaign to supporters and election-watchers.

Michael McGee Jr.: The African American Milwaukee alderman leads a nine-way primary field to get into the finals April 1 -- from jail. The controversial figure is facing a variety of state and federal charges. That apparently doesn't faze constituents who may seem him as a victim of racial prosecution, but critics say it gives the city a black eye. He'll face Milele Coggs, niece of state Sen. Spencer Coggs; she finished second Tuesday to McGee. In the meantime, insiders are calling him the favorite based on his showing Tuesday. But even if he wins in April he might have to vacate the office if convicted.

Falling

Hillary Clinton: Wisconsin should have been be an ideal place for Clinton to take on Obama, but instead a blowout loss allows Obama to gain more momentum going into Ohio and Texas. Insiders debated all week why she didn't hit the state harder and why her campaign sent mixed messages about Wisconsin's importance. The answer seems to lie in a national strategy to save resources and test negative messages for the March 4 contests, instead relying on AFSCME and the American Federation of Teachers. When the history of the campaign is written, many insiders predict the Clinton campaign's Wisconsin effort will be seen as a strategic mistake.

Mike Huckabee: The former Arkansas guv charmed Wisconsin crowds in a campaign that featured multiple stops. But he drew 37 percent of the primary vote and wins two congressional districts in the state -- the 3rd in western Wisconsin and the 7th in northern Wisconsin. That means he picks up just six delegates from the state as he falls further behind in the delegate count. Tuesday's loss also finishes him in the eyes of leading Republicans and pundits -- especially after many had considered him done a week ago and started calling on him to drop out. If he doesn't drop out soon, that veep talk will go away in a hurry, insiders predict.

Labels: 2008 spring primary

MILWAUKEE -- A series of factors, including name recognition and a small cluster of voters with a "rebellious" nature, are likely why Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee Jr. won Tuesday's primary even though he was in jail for the campaign, says UW-Milwaukee governmental affairs Professor Mordecai Lee.

In a nine-way primary, McGee managed to capture 32 percent of the vote. In second place with 23 percent is Milele Coggs, niece of state Sen. Spencer Coggs. She will advance to the April 1 primary.

Trailing Coggs was former Ald. Fred Gordon, with 17 percent and ViAnna Jordan, with 11 percent.

McGee faces a litany of federal and state charges alleging bribery, extortion, a beating conspiracy, and election law violations.

Lee, a former Dem state lawmaker, said other factors that helped McGee include high voter turnout, good campaign organization and prior contact with voters.

While Lee couldn't recall another case like McGee's win, he pointed to how Boston politician James Curley was re-elected to Congress and elected Boston mayor in the 1940s despite facing a federal felony indictment and going on to serve as mayor while in prison after his conviction.

"There are famous stories of Boston politics, sort of last hurrah stories," Lee said.

However, that case was far different, as Curley was not in jail during the campaign.

Lee said he can't remember a situation where a jailed candidate has ran and won an election because most people qualify for bond when they are charged.

"I think that when we look at the facts of the matter, this is a very different situation," Lee said, adding that McGee's in jail is not because he's been convicted of anything, but because he's been denied bail.

Lee noted that campaign organization and political experience were also factors, pointing to McGee's organization and the strong showing by Gordon, the third-place finisher and former alderman.

"I understand Alderman McGee had a really decent campaign structure independent of the work of the candidate," Lee said. "To a certain extent what the result of the election shows is that campaign organization matters. Even without a candidate, they were able to win the election."

Although some 68 percent did not vote for McGee, Lee says that doesn't mean those votes will add up to a defeat for McGee in the general election because there will be no presidential candidates on the ballot to drive turnout among less involved voters, who tend to vote based on name recognition.

See reaction to the results here.

-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Turnout for the presidential primary in Milwaukee was 143,949, just shy of 48 percent of registered voters, but lower than was expected.


The city of Milwaukee Election Commission predicted last week that between 150,000 to 175,000 would show up to vote.


Yesterday's turnout, however, tops turnout in the 2004 presidential primary, when 137,362, or 40 percent of registered voters, headed to the polls.


See the turnout and results here.

-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

John McCain has won 31 of the GOP delegates that are being handed out based on yesterday's vote, while Mike Huckabee appears to have won six.

RPW spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski said the delegate count won't be official until after a canvass is completed. But Huckabee won the 3rd and 7th congressional districts, based on the unofficial returns, accounting for the six delegates he'll likely take.

Huckabee's edge in the 3rd CD was 808 votes and in the 7th CD it was 71, according to the unofficial returns.

McCain won the other six congressional districts as well as the 13 delegates handed out to the winner of the statewide vote.

There are three uncommitted delegates on the GOP side. All three have endorsed McCain, putting his overall edge at 34-6.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Democratic U.S. Reps. Ron Kind of LaCrosse and Steve Kagen of Appleton each said before Tuesday's Wisconsin presidential primary that they would pledge their super delegate vote to whoever won the most votes in their respective Congressional districts.

Kind released a statement Wednesday saying he would now back Barack Obama after the Illinois senator topped Hillary Clinton in his district. Obama also won Kagen's district, but his office declined to say today who the congressman would support.

A Democratic source familiar with Kagen's plans said the congressman had placed telephone calls to both Clinton and Obama. This source indicated that Kagen was unlikely to publicly endorse either one of the candidates until he had spoken with them personally.

Obama won Kind's district with about 57 percent of the vote.

"Senator Obama's message of change and unity resonated with voters in Wisconsin as it has with voters across the country," Kind said in a statement released by his office. "My constituents overwhelmingly chose Barack Obama to be their nominee, and I am proud to pledge my super-delegate vote to him as well."

Obama won 17 out of the 19 counties included in Kind's seat.

Most Democrats elected to state and federal office are "super delegates," as are a number of Democratic Party activists. They are free to pledge their delegate to whichever Democratic presidential candidate they choose.

U.S. Reps. Gwen Moore and Dave Obey backed Obama prior to Tuesday's primary. U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin is backing Clinton.

-- By David M. Drucker

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Barack Obama's victory Tuesday over Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin's Democratic presidential primary hasn't generated an endorsement from fellow Democratic U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold of Middleton and Herb Kohl of Milwaukee.

Obama expanded his lead in delegates with Tuesday's win in the Badger State, and is now more firmly viewed as the frontrunner in the race for the Democratic White House nomination than ever before. But perhaps concerned that Clinton might ultimately pull it out, Feingold and Kohl are remaining mum on their preference.

If neither Obama or Clinton manage to win enough Democratic delegates to secure the nomination after all states and U.S. territories have voted, the "super delegate" votes exercised by Feingold, Kohl and others could prove pivotal to deciding who takes on the Republican presidential nominee in November. Most Democrats elected to state and federal office are "super delegates," as are a number of Democratic Party activists. They are free to pledge their delegate to whichever Democratic presidential candidate they choose.

Feingold’' campaign office confirmed Wednesday that the Middleton Democrat has yet to endorse. Kohl's office referred WisPolitics.com to what the Senator said last week in regard to whom he would support for the nomination.

"I want to cast a responsible [super delegate] vote," Kohl said. "It behooves me to see how the process plays itself out yet for a while, so the vote takes into consideration what my state does, it takes into consideration what the rest of the country is doing, it takes into consideration my sizing up of the candidates as the race unfolds. And who might be the best candidate in the fall and who might be the best president."

-- By David M. Drucker

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Preliminary numbers gathered by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin estimate that Barack Obama will receive 42 of the state's 74 delegates awarded based on yesterday's vote. Hillary Clinton will receive 32.

Those delegates were given out proportionately based on the results from the congressional districts as well as the statewide tally.

Wisconsin also has 16 superdelegates, five of those have already pledged their support to Obama. U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, said last week he'd base his decision on who he'll support as a super delegate on the voters of the 8th CD and as "they go, so will I."

Obama won the 8th CD with about 56 percent of the vote.

Clinton has commitments from two of the state's super delegates. If Kagen backs Obama, it would give the Illinois senator a total of 48 delegates from Wisconsin, compared to 34 for Clinton.

Eight uncommitted super delegates remain, and there are two "add-on" delegates that will be selected at the Dem state convention in June. Those delegates also can support whoever they choose.

The DPW will report official delegate counts when the state Government Accountability Board finishes the official election canvass.

Here's the breakdown by Congressional District:

1st CD: 3 Obama, 3 Clinton
2nd CD: 5 Obama, 3 Clinton
3rd CD: 3 Obama, 3 Clinton
4th CD: 4 Obama, 2 Clinton
5th CD: 3 Obama, 2 Clinton
6th CD: 3 Obama, 2 Clinton
7th CD: 3 Obama, 3 Clinton
8th CD: 3 Obama, 3 Clinton


At large delegates: 9 Obama, 7 Clinton

PLEO delegates: 6 Obama, 4 Clinton

See the release from the DPW here.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Republicans were still trying to figure out this morning if John McCain would win all 37 delegates up for grabs from the returns.

The party awards 13 delegates based on the statewide vote, and McCain nabbed all of those. It also awards three delegates in each of the state's congressional district according to the popular vote in each with the winner taking all three. McCain has won seven of the eight districts, and the party was awaiting final numbers in the 3rd CD to determine the winner there.

Mike Huckabee had a slight lead there with 90 percent of the vote in, according to unofficial returns.

The three uncommitted delegates, who can back whomever they wish, have all endorsed McCain.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, who had promised to use his super delegate vote to support whichever candidate won his congressional district, has issued a statement verifying that he will support Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

"If our party and our democracy stands for anything, it is that no person, regardless of position or office, should have his or her vote count more than anyone else's," Kind said in a statement of his decision to back his constituents' choice for the nominee. He added that Obama represents "our best chance to break down the partisan barriers that have been building for years."

Obama gained 57 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton's 43 percent in the district, winning 17 of 19 counties.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

In addition to the delegates he'll win for his performance at the ballot box, Barack Obama should pick up two Dem super delegates from Wisconsin.

U.S. Reps. Ron Kind of La Crosse and Steve Kagen of Appleton have pledged to cast their support for whichever candidate won their districts.

Obama won both districts with about 56 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns.

Wisconsin has 16 super delegates, including the governor, U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, the five Dem members of the U.S. House and eight DNC members living in Wisconsin.

If Kind and Kagen hold true to their promise, Obama will have six super delegates from Wisconsin, while Clinton will have two.

Obama's would be Gov. Jim Doyle, DNC member Stan Grusynski, and U.S. Reps. Kagen, Kind, Gwen Moore and Dave Obey.

Clinton's are U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and DNC member Tim Sullivan.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Barack Obama rode a simple formula to his big win in Tuesday's primary: He held his own against Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin's rural areas and clobbered her in many of the state's bigger counties.

Dem strategists generally believed going into the primary that Clinton could have a built-in edge over Obama in northern and western Wisconsin, home to more conservative, blue-collar Democrats who tended to support her husband in the 1990s.

But Clinton was only able to post decent wins in a handful of counties, including Adams (53 percent), Burnett (53 percent), Douglas (56 percent) and Forest (56 percent). Less than 30,000 votes were cast in those four counties combined.

In all, she was winning 10 counties, according to unofficial returns.

By comparison, Obama was winning Milwaukee and Dane counties with more than 60 percent of the vote in each. That edge accounted for almost half of his statewide lead over Clinton.

He won Brown County with 56 percent of the vote, La Crosse with almost 58 percent of the vote, Racine with 55 percent of the vote and Rock County with almost 57 percent.

Many Dems believed Obama had a natural edge in Milwaukee County because of its large African American population and saw the potential for UW-Madison students to help deliver Dane County.

But they weren't expecting him to post double-digit wins in places like Grant and Green counties in southwestern Wisconsin. He won more than 58 percent of the vote in each.

He was winning Eau Claire County with 63 percent of the vote and Winnebago County with about 60 percent of the vote. Both are home to UW campuses.

In Walworth County, he had more than 59 percent of the vote. In Vernon, he was at better than 55 percent. In Sauk County it was 58 percent.

In short, he won big, small, urban, rural, black, white, affluent and poor.

The exit polling showed he edged Clinton among those who had been her base: women (51-49), those without degrees (50-48) and whites (53-46).

As of midnight, Obama led Clinton 58 percent to 41 percent, according to unofficial returns.

By comparison, John McCain, who has had the nomination all but wrapped up since shortly after Super Tuesday, was beating Mike Huckabee 55 percent to 37 percent.

It appeared projections that some 1.5 million would turn out Tuesday were close and the highest percentage of the voting age population would turn out since the 1988, when almost 39 percent turned out.

See the statewide results.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

MILWAUKEE -- Despite being jailed on a litany of federal and state charges alleging bribery, extortion, a beating conspiracy, and election law violations, Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee Jr. has come out on top in a nine-way primary.

With 96 percent of the vote in, McGee managed to capture 32 percent of the vote despite running his campaign from jail. According to unofficial returns, Milele Coggs, niece of state Sen. Spencer Coggs, was in second place with 23 percent of the vote and will advance to the April 1 general election.

Trailing Coggs was former Ald. Fred Gordon, with 17 percent, and ViAnna Jordan, with 11 percent.

Coggs said her life-long residence and community work accounted for her support.

"I was born and raised in the 6th District and have done a lot of work within the district," Coggs said.

But Coggs said the win didn't come easy.

"I earned those votes," Coggs said. "I knocked on thousands of doors in the blistering cold weather and spoke with the residents and the voters; they obviously liked what they were hearing."

Coggs said she's confident she can win the general election. She said her campaign was never about running against McGee but for the future of the district, which doesn't have physical representation with McGee in jail. He faces a trial later this spring.

Jordan, who led an unsuccessful recall bid against McGee last year, said people do not want an alderman who is in jail and that the results look "suspicious."

"This is not credible; this is a mockery," Jordan said. "Don't ever believe the people here want to dibble dabble in this. Nobody wants a shakedown artist for their alderman."

Jordan did not specify any incidents of fraud.

Several of the charges against McGee allege violations in his defense of the recall attempt.

McGee's campaign could not be reached for comment, and Gordon did not immediately return a call.

-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Gov. Jim Doyle hailed Barack Obama's state campaign as one of the greatest in state history after today's win, adding that Wisconsin would be the victory to catapult the Illinois senator to the party's nomination.

"It amazes me that it was only one week ago that we were all gathered in the Kohl Center, kicking off in one week what has been one of the great campaigns in the history of the state of Wisconsin," Doyle proclaimed in a speech at the Obama campaign's primary party in downtown Madison. "I believe, when this is all written, that we'll be the state that decided who the next Democratic nominee will be, and who the next president of the United States will be: Barack Obama."

Doyle thanked the Obama campaign for not only running an effective campaign, but for cooperating with state and local political leaders and activists. While national campaigns generally have spats in local elections, Doyle said, "We did not have one of those with the Barack Obama campaign."

"This is a candidate who did not take us for granted," Doyle said in thanking Obama. "He came to Wisconsin and spent five days of the last seven days in this state ... this was a campaign that came through this state and inspired so many people."

Speaking with reporters after his speech, Doyle said Obama's broad victory meant Hillary Clinton was in trouble.

"I think it's very hard for her to go on; I know she will," Doyle said. "When these two candidates get engaged with one another and the campaign is on, state after state after state Barack Obama wins."

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz introduced Doyle at the celebration and projected that the state Assembly would flip to the Democrats with Obama at the top of the Democratic ticket. He also noted that Rep. Spencer Black told him that the votes on the UW-Madison campus were "something like 10-to-1 for Obama."

"For a complete term and a little bit more, Jim Doyle was the only person standing between us and some really right-wing policies coming out of the Wisconsin Legislature," Cieslewicz said. "Imagine what Jim Doyle can do when he's got a Democratic majority in both houses. Barack Obama can get that for us."

Listen to Doyle's speech

Listen to Doyle talking with reporters

Hear Mayor Cieslewicz's introduction

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton's supporters tried to shrug off the Wisconsin loss and look ahead to the March 4 states of Texas and Ohio.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said despite being outspent, Clinton "ran a strong campaign in Wisconsin."

"She gave us a lot of time and a lot of great surrogates and fabulous staff, and they did a terrific job," Lawton said.

Some had questioned why Clinton didn't campaign harder here, and some Dems believe her campaign sent mixed messages about how important Wisconsin was.

But Lawton said Wisconsin is "not a decisive state" and a national campaign has to make decisions about resource allocation. The real prizes lie ahead in Texas and Ohio, she said.

Lawton said the candidate that emerges from the primary will be tested and ready to win the fall election.

Listen to an interview with Lawton.

Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk told supporters the race is far from over.

"Look at the big scheme of things here, we are about dead even in delegates," Falk said. "It is a darn close race. We worked very hard here, and I'm very proud and grateful for everyone in this building. And we know over the next couple of weeks two big states are coming up, Texas and Ohio, and we know those are states where people are hungry for health insurance, they are hungry for jobs, and we know Senator Clinton has spent 35 years working for kids and working families."

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, said wins in either of the March 4 states or Pennsylvania will turn the tide.

"If you look at the big states coming up, a win for Senator Clinton in any one of those stops any momentum Senator Obama has out there," Erpenbach said.



DPW chair Joe Wineke, who initially supported John Edwards in the race but hasn't picked a new candidate, said he "came very close" to picking a candidate about a week ago, then decided it would be better "to keep Humpty Dumpty together in case it started to blow up. And as you can guess in the last week we've seen signs of tearing, and one of my roles is going to have to be to keep everybody together."

Wineke, who stopped by the Obama party at the Great Dane Pub before appearing at the Clinton gathering, took a shot at Republicans for their lower turnout for the primary, and presumptive GOP nominee John McCain.

"We have two exceptional candidates that people are getting excited about and the Republicans have basically centered on John McCain who appears to not be the John McCain of the 'Straight Talk Express' but seems to be the John McCain of a third term for George Bush, I just don't see any excitement on the Republican side," Wineke said. "These guys get 250 or 500 people at an event, and we get 5,000 to 20,000."

The results here are a result of Obama outspending Clinton in media and the momentum of Obama's campaign, especially with young voters, Wineke said. Another factor, he said, were reports last week in the national media that Clinton was writing off Wisconsin.

"It's really hard in that circumstance to be competitive, yet I think most pundits and I think even people in the Obama campaign from everything I was hearing thought that Senator Clinton was closing in the end," he said. "From the results, it appears she didn't close nearly enough."

Still, Wineke says there won't be a huge differential in delegates allocated.

"Say for example this thing goes 55 (percent to) 45 (percent), where it appears it's going to be in that range, do you want to disenfranchise that other 45 percent?" he said. "If you make them proportional, maybe one candidate gets a few more delegates than the other, but maybe that's the way it's supposed to be."

If Clinton doesn't win in Ohio and Texas, he said, the argument about delegates and super delegates will be moot, he said.

"I just don't see how Senator Obama would be denied the nomination," Wineke said. "Now if Senator Clinton wins those states, whole new game."

Listen to an interview with Wineke.

-- By Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Clinton, Lawton

PEWAUKEE -- Mike Huckabee's supporters refused to concede defeat until all the returns are in, despite early calls that John McCain would take the primary.

Ryan Kierman, 16, of Concord expressed surprise when he learned that McCain was projected to win.

"I actually thought that (Huckabee) would do really well here," Kierman said. He was a little disappointed that Huckabee did not attend the election watch.

John Miglautsch of Hartland was not paying much attention to the acceptance speeches because, "There were no results in when he (McCain) started."

The 53-year-old said if he votes for John McCain, he will do as a friend suggested: "I'll just hold my nose."

Dave Poglitsch shrugged as he said, "I'll wait 'til everything is all counted in."

The 46-year-old Brookfield resident is tuning everything out until all the results are in.

Poglitsch says that he will wait and see what Huckabee says about McCain before he decides who he will vote for.

Starie Thompson, 29, of Milwaukee says that this election is "following the same patterns as the rest of the race" by announcing a winner before all the votes are tabulated.

Thompson has not decided whether to vote for McCain because she is still rooting for "Mike."

Tessa Fitzsimmons, 5, began to cry when she found out that Huckabee lost.

At the end of the election watch the two dozen supporters crowd began to cheer on Huckabee and chant "We like Mike" for the reporters.

-- By Samantha Hernandez

Labels: 2008 spring primary

WEST ALLIS -- The Republican watch party at Milwaukee County Exec. Scott Walker's campaign headquarters is winding down following McCain's victory speech.

Reaction was muted from the crowd of about 30, but they did cheer when McCain discussed how he wants to deal with Cuba following the resignation of Fidel Castro.

Milwaukee County Republican Party Chair David Karst said he wasn't surprised few came out tonight.

"There's no contest," Karst said, noting that the race has essentially been decided for the last several weeks.

RPW Chair Reince Priebus said tonight's results were not surprising and called for unity among Wisconsin Republicans.

"We're not surprised; obviously the winds been at McCain's back for a couple of weeks," Priebus said.

Priebus complemented Huckabee for running a "tough race" and working hard in Wisconsin.

"He worked hard in the state of Wisconsin, and now we have to build this party," Priebus said. "We've got to unite our party, bring the Huckabee people over to John McCain's side and work for who looks to be our eventual nominee."

Preibus described division in the GOP about McCain as "two weeks ago's news."

"I think John McCain is poised to win in November, and I think he's the Democrats' worst nightmare," Priebus said.

With the Republican nomination all but locked up, some of those expressed interest in how the Democratic nomination contest was shaping up.

UW-Milwaukee student Mark Zeihen, 18, said he'd prefer to see Clinton win the nomination.

"She'd be an easier opponent for us," Zeihen.

Zeihen said he voted for McCain today, who he described as a "strong candidate."

Zeihen said he is most impressed with McCain's plan to improve the economy, which would help solve other problems.

Marilyn Krichell, 70, of West Allis, said she is fully behind McCain because of his stance on the war on terror and the Iraq war.

"I don't want people who are talking about getting out of Iraq without winning," Krichell said.

She also said she'd prefer Clinton to get the Democratic nomination.

"We know who she is, we know what she's done," Krichell said.

Luonne Dumak, 72, of New Berlin, also said she'd rather see Clinton win the primary.

While she said she wants McCain to win the election, she said that if he lost in November that Clinton would be a better president than Obama.

She said she feared that Obama would be too reluctant to use military force and invite attack and that Clinton has more experience and would be "tough."

"Obama's too dangerous for this country, he has no experience," Dumak said.

-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

An article on CNN.com reports that exit polling showed John McCain struggled with voters considering themselves "very conservative."

Yet, the exit polls show that McCain received strong support from moderates who considered themselves "somewhat conservative."

The polling also showed that McCain supporters were slightly more concerned about the war in Iraq than the economy.

McCain's main rival, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, got much of his support from conservatives and evangelical voters.

See the article here

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Exit Polls, Huckabee, McCain

John McCain started talking like the GOP nominee and not just the party's frontrunner for president tonight at a rally in Columbus, Ohio, following his win in Wisconsin.

While others have talked of the nomination over the last week as a done deal for McCain, he avoided doing so while visiting Wisconsin. But not any longer.

"And thank you, Wisconsin, for bringing us to the point when even a superstitious naval aviator can claim with confidence and humility that I will be our party's nominee for president," McCain said. "I promise you, I will wage a campaign with determination, passion and the right ideas for strengthening our country that prove worthy of the honor and responsibility you have given me."

McCain made a series of swipes at Barack Obama without mentioning him by name, saying he will fight "to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change."

McCain said that American voters can go with an experienced candidate, or "will we risk the confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate who once suggested invading our ally, Pakistan, and sitting down without pre-conditions or clear purpose with enemies who support terrorists and are intent on destabilizing the world by acquiring nuclear weapons?"

McCain did briefly recognize former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, but more as a colleague than a real challenger.

"I, again, want to commend Governor Huckabee, who has shown impressive grit and passion himself, and whom, though he remains my opponent, I have come to admire very much," McCain said.

See the whole speech here

-- By Matt Dolbey

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Shortly after the national media called Wisconsin's Dem primary for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton promised supporters in Youngtown, Ohio, that she would back up her words with action as president.

She criticized Obama's focus on style over substance and speeches over solutions.

"This election is about picking a president who relies not on words but on hard work to get Americans to work," said Clinton. "Words are important, but the best words aren't enough unless you match them with action."

She also drew distinctions between herself and Obama on issues of foreign policy experience, health care, the economy, and preparedness for the job on day one.

Clinton also targeted Republicans, saying that working-class people couldn't stand another four years with a president who does not see or hear them.

-- By Matt Steingraber

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Barack Obama praised Wisconsinites for their "extraordinary civic pride" as he celebrated his win here at a rally in Houston.

Obama said he was grateful for the state's friendship and support.

"In Wisconsin, when you go to vote, it's 5 degrees outside," Obama told the crowd. "But that does not deter people from Milwaukee to Green Bay to Eau Claire, all across that state, from casting their ballots and exercising their civic duty."

Obama spoke to the crowd of an urgency to change the way things are done in Washington, D.C., and improve the national economy, slipping into his usual stump speech about bringing the country together.

Obama said his leap of faith to run for president has been vindicated by the American people shortly before the crowd broke into chants of "Yes, we can."

"The question I have for you tonight, Houston, is: Are you really ready for change?" Obama said.

Obama had a couple of shots for GOP frontrunner John McCain, too.

While saying he admires McCain as a true American hero, he criticized him for supporting President Bush's "failed economic policies" and his statements that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for another 100 years.

"He represents the policies of yesterday, and we want to be the party of tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to having that debate with John McCain," he said.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The Drudge Report has some new exit polling on Obama posted.

Obama Won:
Women (51-49)
All age groups under 65
All education levels
All regions of the state -- urban, suburban and rural
Voters without college degrees (50-48)
Democrats (50-49)
Whites (53-46)
White men (59-38)
Voters who decided in the last week (58-42)

Won or tied voters of all income levels
Tied among white women
Tied among union members
Tied among union households

ABC News also has a story on exit polling, including showing gains by Obama by independent voters, here

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Exit Polls

Gov. Jim Doyle, appearing on MSNBC, said Wisconsin responded to Barack Obama's message of change and his focus on middle class issues.

"I haven't seen such excitement like that since maybe when Eugene McCarthy knocked Lyndon Johnson out of the race here a long time ago," Doyle said, referring to the 1968 race.

Exit polling showing more Dem primary voters felt Hillary Clinton unfairly attacked Obama than the other way around. Doyle said Clinton's last line of attack accusing Obama of plagiarism "looked trivial" to voters here.

"People really get down to what the issues are here, and clearly people are very hungry for change," Doyle said.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

NBC News is projecting that Barack Obama won the Wisconsin Dem primary.

See an article here

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Obama

PEWAUKEE -- Mike Huckabee's supporters didn't show much reaction to the national networks' early call that John McCain had gone for Wisconsin.

But many had a good excuse; they were busy doing media interviews.

A small crowd of just more than a dozen gathered here to watch returns. After the news broke, some supporters cracked jokes about the call.

Chris Lambrecht of Waukesha was upbeat despite the low numbers. He attributed his positive attitude to Huckabee.

The 19 year-old Lambrecht is proud that "Huckabee didn't run a negative campaign."

Joel Kluender, 37, of Hartland has seen the exit polls, but said, "Exit polls can be wrong."

Kluender continued, "We don't know what will happen with the candidates. McCain could still say something stupid."

He voted for Huckabee because of this strong pro-life stance and the Fair Tax bill.

-- By Samantha Hernandez

Labels: 2008 spring primary

CNN is projecting John McCain has won the GOP primary in Wisconsin, based on exit polling.



-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Republicans are starting to gather at Scott Walker's campaign headquarters in West Allis to watch the GOP primary returns.

With no primary for the county executive, Walker isn't present. However, he had a party here from 6 to 8 p.m. for campaign volunteers.

With McCain having his official election night party in Columbus, Ohio, the party in Milwaukee is serving as a de facto McCain victory party.

When a television reporter asked to speak to a Huckabee supporter, GOP volunteers there said they couldn't find one.

Huckabee's watch party is being held in Waukesha.

The 4th C.D. Republican Party Chair Bob Spindell, who also serves as a city of Milwaukee election commissioner, said that the polls in the University of Milwaukee area still had lines at polling places going outside the door 7:15 p.m., and polling places around Marquette University had high turnout. Spindell said that college students will definitely have an impact on the primary tonight.

-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Turnout

MADISON -- It's about a half hour before the returns come in, and the watch party for Clinton at the The Stadium Bar has yet to get off the ground.

Marquee guests Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton and Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk have yet to show, and so far media members outnumber those with Hillary t-shirts 2-to-1.

Those who are here are watching MSNBC or the Indiana-Purdue basketball game playing on the bar's many TV screens.

Barack Obama supporters are beginning to crowd the Great Dane Pub near downtown.

The crowd is primarily younger, with one supporter keeping track of the results on a laptop. The TVs in the bar are tuned to CNN counting down the final minutes until polls close, and a stage is set up in the corner for speeches.

Obama supporters Sen. Bob Jauch of Poplar and Rep. Gary Sherman of Port Wing are in attendance. But there is no sign yet of Gov. Jim Doyle, who is scheduled to appear later.

-- By Greg Bump and Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

As the polls are closing around the state, here's a snapshot of some of the city clerks' estimates around the state for voter turnout.

Milwaukee election commissioner Sue Edman wouldn't guess voter turnout, but said "Oh my gosh ... it's been busy all day ... a lot of activity."

Edmond said there has been a lot of new voter registration, and several wards requested additional ballots.

The Madison city clerk's office said it expects around a 40 percent turnout and "everything is going very well."

The Beloit city clerk's office could only offer a guess of 50 percent voter turnout, saying "it's been a very busy day." One ward requested extra ballots.

Janesville City Clerk Jean Wulf said she guesses voter turnout was around 40 percent, and she had to move some ballots around to different polling places.

The La Crosse city clerk's office said the turnout felt like it was around 40 percent and say "very heavy registration."

-- By Matt Dolbey

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Turnout

ABC News has posted some early exit polling information on who turned out today for Wisconsin's primary. See it here.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The Citizens Trade Campaign says it has responses from Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama that show -- for the first time -- both of them oppose three pending trade agreements with Panama, Columbia and South Korea.

Andy Gussert, national director of the Citizens Trade Campaign, said they were dramatic shifts from past positions on trade and credits the changes to the Wisconsin electorate.

He also said the two have "incredibly strong statements" about replacing the fast track process on trade.

That's based on a survey response from Clinton, a letter from Obama and a questionaire response from Obama.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

State Government Accountability Board Elections Division legal counsel Kevin Kennedy said this afternoon he expects voter turnout to meet the predicted 35 percent total.

Kennedy said clerks in Kenosha County told him they have been very busy, and he heard similar results from clerks in Dane and Milwaukee counties.

"I still think we'll have 1.5 million voters when it's all said and done, but I've got nothing to base that on until all the numbers are in," he said.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

A diary entry on a national Web site calls into question emails from the Obama campaign telling voters they can register at the polls with a college ID.

A poster on the site DailyKos says the emails were erroneous. But the fact is that in some cases, a student ID will suffice as proof of residency, according to state statutes.

In some cases, such as at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Edgewood College in Madison, lists are provided to pollworkers with names and addresses of enrolled students, said Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen. With those lists, a college-issued ID is sufficent for proof of residence and registration.

See the email from Barack Obama
See the email from Michelle Obama

See details on same-day registration requirements from the state Government Accountability Board.


-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The potential for student votes to deeply impact the Wisconsin primary seems to be taking shape in Milwaukee, where City Election Commission Executive Director Sue Edman said turnout has been steadily busy at UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Marquette University.

The Dane County Clerk's office will not begin collecting data on the participation of the state's largest campus, UW-Madison, until later in the day according to County Clerk Bob Ohlsen.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Here's a primer on the delegates at stake today in Wisconsin:

Wisconsin Dems have 92 delegates, while Republicans have 40.

Twenty-four of the GOP delegates will be awarded according to the vote totals in each of Wisconsin's eight congressional districts. The winner of the district vote will get all three of the delegates for the September convention.

Thirteen are at-large delegates and will be awarded to whoever wins the popular vote in the state.

The remaining three are GOP National Committeewoman Mary Buestrin, National Committeeman Steve King and state Chair Reince Priebus. They are allowed to back whomever they choose, though all three have endorsed John McCain.

For the Democrats, 48 delegates are awarded based on votes in the congressional districts.

The eight districts have between five and eight delegates each based on Dem turnout in past elections, and the district delegates are divided up proportionally according to the vote in each district.

Sixteen are considered "super delegates" that are uncommitted. They include Gov. Jim Doyle, Dem Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, the five Dem members of the House and the eight DNC members living in Wisconsin.

Obama has the backing of four super delegates: Doyle, U.S. Reps. Gwen Moore and Dave Obey, and DNC member Stan Gruszynski. Clinton is backed by two: U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and DNC member Tim Sullivan.

Another two uncommitted delegates, called add-ons, will be selected at the June state convention.

The Dem Party's administrative committee will also pick 10 party leaders and elected officials to serve as delegates with preference given to mayors of large cities, legislative leaders and lawmakers. They are divided up among the presidential candidates proportionally based on the statewide vote.

Sixteen at-large delegates will also be chosen by the administrative committee at the convention. They also will be divided up among presidential candidates proportionally on the statewide totals.

The party has diversity goals for the delegation of alternates that the administrative committee considers in selecting delegates

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The three largest counties for Democratic primary turnout from four years ago have had mixed results from morning voting, according to local election officials.

Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen said that the county was at 10 percent turnout as of 11 a.m., but that weather was a factor in the relatively low turnout. Ohlsen had projected as much as a 60 percent turnout last week.

"I would have thought it would have been a little more," Ohlsen said of the morning vote, before adding that he expected things to pick up this afternoon.

"You kill yourself trying to guess, and you're never right," Ohlsen said.

Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Sue Edman said that turnout in the state's largest city has ranged from "steady" to "busy" at polling sites.

"We're seeing a lot of activity" on the city's east side and near university campuses. At other locations, she said voting has not contributed to any lines yet.

Waukesha Municipal Clerk Tom Neill described turnout as "average" thus far. He said his office was holding to a 40 percent turnout projection.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The Clinton campaign has tested negative messages in Wisconsin on TV and in the mail as it seeks to blunt Barack Obama's momentum in the Badger State and beyond.

Gov. Jim Doyle, a big Obama supporter, went after Clinton's health care mailer on Sunday. (See this previous blog item.)

Another Clinton campaign mailer that popped up in Wisconsin mail boxes over the weekend knocks Obama for voting "present" in the Illinois Legislature on seven key issues. They range from "the managed care patients rights act" in 1999 to the "energy resources policy act" in 2001.

One side of the mailer says: "Illinois State Legislators can vote 'present.' But a President has to make the toughest 'yes' or 'no' decisions in the world."

The flip side features a listing of Obama votes with the seven "present" votes highlighted and says: "Where does Barack Obama stand? 129 times on critical issues Barack Obama wouldn't take a stand -- instead he voted 'present.' Not 'yes' or 'no' -- but 'present' ... A President Can't Vote 'Present.'"

A call to the Obama campaign seeking comment today was not immediately returned.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Following a campaign rally in Brookfield this morning, GOP frontrunner John McCain dismissed talk that his party's voters today would cross over to prop up a Democrat he'd fare better against in the fall election.

"Generally speaking, with very few exceptions, party voters go to the polls to vote for their party leader; they're not that complicated, in general," McCain said. "There's always the theory that they will be, but I'm happy to say that these past few primaries people have just gone to select the candidate from their party."

McCain noted that he is winning a "good percentage" of independent voters, who he said most expected to vote in the most contested race.

McCain said this shows these people recognize that the Republican primary is not over yet.

Despite the fact Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are still in the race, McCain's nomination is likely and he's won key endorsements, including those of former President George H.W. Bush and Mitt Romney.

McCain said he hasn't thought about whether it would be more difficult to face Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama and that he's focused on winning the nomination.

"I've see more than one campaign take a lot for granted that they shouldn't have, maybe even including my own," McCain said, whose campaign was essentially declared dead earlier last year.

Before a crowd of a few hundred at the Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, McCain said Wisconsin will be a key swing state in the general election and pledged to return to campaign and win the state this fall.

McCain called for party unity.

"We need to unite our party," McCain said, adding that he will be up against a "tough" candidate no matter who wins the Democratic nomination.

McCain said he respects Huckabee's right to remain in the campaign, and expressed thanks and respect for those who already dropped out of the race.

Several Ron Paul supporters were in the audience at the rally, a "Ron Paul Revolution" limo was parked out front. Recognizing them in the audience, McCain thanked the Paul supporters for always being "very polite" at his rallies and for their dedication to their candidate. "He's ran a very tough and very interesting race to say the least," McCain said of Paul.

The bulk of McCain's speech echoed others he's given in Wisconsin over the last week, with him pledging to veto any bill containing earmarks, make the Bush tax cuts permanent, improve veterans' healthcare, continue the fight against global terror and win in Iraq so American troops "can come home with honor."

Behind McCain stood about 70 college-aged supporters, some wearing Marquette University clothing. One carried a sign reading "Favre 4 VP."

Listen to McCain's speech here
-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The robocalls have kicked in for the final stretch of the campaign.

On Tuesday, the Clinton campaign hit likely voters with a message stressing the economy, health care for all and affordable higher education.

In the call, Hillary Clinton said as president she'll bring 35 years of experience "solving big problems and bringing real change."

Added Clinton: "I will stand up for you and bring real solutions to America starting Day 1. ... It's going to be close and I need your help."

Obama's campaign sent out robocalls Monday in which the senator urged listeners to join him in ending the war in Iraq, passing universal health care and "building an economy that works for everyone."

"The time is now for real change in America," Obama says in the call.

He reminded listeners of the poll hours, directed them to his Web site and mentioned his voter hotline.

"Let's go change the world," he says.

On Monday, calls went to American Federation of Teachers members. AFT President Edward McElroy said he wanted union members "to be sure you hear this important message from our good friend."

Hillary Clinton then told listeners that "together we can make the changes in public education, health care and the economy that will improve the lives of working families and strengthen our communities and country."

National AFT has been putting a lot of resources into Wisconsin, doing robocalls, mailers and radio ads promoting Clinton's candidacy.

Mike Huckabee sent an e-mail to supporters yesterday detailing efforts of his "Huckabee Rangers" to complete almost 26,000 "voter contact calls" to Wisconsin voters before 9 p.m. yesterday.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

John McCain has a campaign stop scheduled this morning in Brookfield. Otherwise, the rest of the top presidential contenders have turned their attention elsewhere.

The Clinton campaign had stops scheduled for Chelsea Clinton today in Madison at a downtown neighborhood center with Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and at the UW-Oshkosh campus.

The Clinton, Huckabee and Obama campaigns also all have watch parties scheduled for tonight around Wisconsin.

Check the WisPolitics calendar for more details.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The latest survey from the American Research Group has Barack Obama leading Hillary Clinton after she had the edge in the previous two polls it did, including one that was completed just two days ago.

In the latest poll, done Feb. 17-18, 52 percent of respondents supported Obama, compared to 42 who backed Clinton.

The previous poll, done Feb. 15-16, had Clinton up 49-43.

On the GOP side, John McCain was backed by 51 percent of respondents, compared to 43 percent for Huckabee.

The previous poll had McCain up 46-42.

ARG surveyed 600 randomly selected likely voters in each poll. The Dem survey included 407 Dems and 193 independents and Republicans. The GOP survey includded 433 Republicans and 167 independents and Dems.

Each had a margin of error or plus or minus 4 percentage points.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Congressman Paul Ryan's name is circulating as a possible second-tier veep choice for presumptive GOP prez nominee John McCain.

Ryan, 38, of Janesville, first elected in 1998, is often lauded as a rising young conservative with a big future in D.C.

But while he's sometimes been seen as a possible future speaker, prez running mate is quite another thing.

Conservative columnist Robert Novak, on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, uttered Ryan's name to a national audience.

MR. NOVAK: One would be former Congressman, former special trade, U.S. trade representative, former budget director Rob Portman. I think he would be an excellent...

MR. RUSSERT: From Ohio.

MR. NOVAK: From Ohio. Another one would be a younger congressman, ranking Republican on the Budget Committee and a tax cutter, Paul Ryan. Somebody like that who would, who would be younger than McCain, which isn't hard to find, and, and somebody who would be much more regular on taxes than McCain has been.

See the full transcript, page 6, here.

Why Ryan? In addition to his age and tax-cutting reputation, Ryan is from a traditionally swing district in a Midwestern swing state, is an avid hunter and joins McCain in bashing congressional pork.

Why not Ryan? He's from the Congress, just like McCain.

That's why most attention has focused on Republicans with guv experience from key regions: Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Charlie Crist of Florida, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.

WTMJ-AM conservative talk show host Charlie Sykes brought it up to Ryan on Friday. Said Ryan: "Flattering ... But I really don't think about it."

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton told a crowd Monday night Americans don't need another president they can "have a beer with," urging them instead to approach Tuesday's Wisconsin primary like it was a job interview.

"What Senator Obama and I are asking you to do is consider hiring one of us for the toughest job in the world," Clinton told a capacity crowd in the Exhibition Hall at Monona Terrace, where she spoke one day after originally planned because of a weather delay. "Think about who you would hire to do this job."

Clinton continued to try to draw contrasts between herself and Barack Obama over healthcare.

She walked out onto the stage with state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, who led an effort to create a universal health care plan for Wisconsin, and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who serves on the campaign's Health Care Policy Task Force.

Clinton told her audience that the country would never be fair if anyone was left uncovered and that she would open up the congressional health care plan to the American public. She has criticized Obama's health care plan, saying it would leave 15 million Americans uninsured.

"I am passionately committed to universal health care. Senator Obama is not," Clinton said. "I am not running for president to put Band-Aids on our problems."

She said she looked forward to taking on special interests in her health care fight, calling her 1993 health care battle a "badge of honor."

Clinton also asked the crowd not to be swayed by speeches and rhetoric.

"We don't need a leap of faith," Clinton said. "We don't need to have a beer with the next president. We already have that president."

Clinton also talked about education, global warming, economic development and the federal tax system. She promised to end the "unfunded mandate" of the No Child Left Behind Act and return to direct lending to alleviate excessive student loan interest rates. She also promised to create a "strategic energy fund" by taking tax subsidies away from oil companies and to lead the world in a new post-Kyoto environmental agreement.

"This election is not about who's up and who's down," Clinton said. "It's time we started setting big goals again."



Clinton concluded her 40-minute speech with a discussion of Iraq. She said she would ask the defense secretary and her advisers to begin developing a plan for removing troops on her first day in office, but stressed "there are no good options" for American interests in Iraq.

"As we withdraw our troops, we're going to be telling the Iraqi government, 'Time's up,'" Clinton said, before adding, "There is no military solution."

Security personnel escorted one protester out of the hall after he yelled during the speech and held up signs protesting the Iraq War. The event also attracted four sign-bearing Ron Paul supporters outside the Terrace.

Listen to the speech here.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

APPLETON -- Fresh off the endorsement of President George H.W. Bush, GOP frontrunner John McCain told a crowd of party faithful in Appleton Monday night "the best times are ahead" and swiped at Democrats on a series of issues.

Speaking to the Outagamie County GOP's Lincoln Day Dinner, McCain condemned the Democratic Congress for leaving domestic surveillance legislation unfinished, while bashing Democratic positions on the war on terror.

He promised to follow Osama bin Laden "to the gates of Hell" if necessary to track him down and drew applause for his comments on border control and his boast that in 24 years as a lawmaker, he has never requested a single earmark.

"What do we want?" he asked, "A bridge to nowhere, or a tax credit for every child in America of $1,000?"

About 500 people paid the $35 each to attend Monday's dinner that included the likes of former GOP state Treasurer Jack Voight, who introduced McCain; state Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah; former GOP Assembly Speaker John Gard; and Congressman Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac.

McCain has been working to solidify his support among the party's conservative wing since all but sewing up the party's nomination. Each of the lawmakers at Monday's dinner praised McCain.

Gard, who McCain called "the future of our Republican Party," said the Arizona senator was "very conservative."

"I believe that, or I wouldn't support him," said Gard, who is challenging Dem U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton. McCain campaigned for Gard in the 8th CD two years ago during his first race against Kagen.

Many in the GOP establishment have called for Mike Huckabee to drop out of the race for president, arguing he has no shot to overtake McCain for the nomination. But McCain told the crowd, "I respect his desire."

"He, like me, wasn't given much of a chance at one time or another," said McCain, who many had written off last year amid a campaign shakeup.

McCain was talking to the crowd about how Wisconsin is known for its fiscal responsibility and clean government just before a protester near the exit shouted, "What about the Keating Five?"

"Thank you, sir," replied McCain, "I'm glad you paid for your ticket."

The young man was pulled out the door as he claimed the 9/11 terror attacks were "an inside job."

Listen to Pt. 1 of McCain's speech, including introductions by state Sen. Mike Ellis and John Gard here.

Listen to Pt. 2 of McCain's speech here.

-- By Jeff Decker

Labels: 2008 spring primary

APPLETON -- Mike Huckabee urged nearly 200 supporters in Appleton this afternoon to "shock the nation" by delivering a surprise win for his campaign in Tuesday's primary election.

Huckabee was introduced by Wisconsin campaign manager Tim Michels, who reminded supporters, "There is an election tomorrow, despite what some of the pundits have to say!"

Huckabee highlighted his record as governor of Arkansas to assert he's the only person in the race who has executive experience, is a Washington outsider and is 100 percent anti-abortion.

The fact that he's a distant second behind John McCain for the Republican nomination shouldn't matter, he says. No one should mind a prolonged fight for the nomination, either.

"Nobody has 1,191 delegates. This well could go all the way to the convention," he said.

"Why would we be so afraid that we don't want the people of America to actually pick their candidate?"

The eyes of the nation are on Wisconsin, the candidate noted, but the media coverage is on the Democratic primary. Indeed, only six television cameras focused on his speech, plus a handful of other reporters.

"If, tomorrow, John McCain ends up winning in Wisconsin, you will get a brief mention on the evening news. If, on the other hand, you guys go out and we win tomorrow, then for two hours the talking heads will be saying, 'We just can't figure this out. What went on in Wisconsin?' Don't you just love it when you can do that to the media?" he said.

A mobilized conservative base voting for the most conservative candidate could mean that win. "If, for some reason, you've decided you're not voting for me, my request is: stay home tomorrow," he smiled.

Huckabee zigzagged Wisconsin in the push before Tuesday's primary. Sunday night he spoke in Milwaukee and navigated bitter storms Monday starting in Hudson and Eau Claire before ending his campaign day in Appleton.

Every Wisconsinite and every American would benefit once he's the 44th president, Huckabee said.

"We need to implement the fair tax, and we need to kill the IRS before it kills our small businesses in Wisconsin!" he said.

Listen to audio of Huckabee's speech here.

-- By Jeff Decker

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore and Mayor Tom Barrett will be in attendance for the Obama campaign's primary night event in Milwaukee, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bar Louie.

Gov. Doyle will attend a previously-announced event at the Great Dane in downtown Madison.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Reince Priebus is listed among 35 RNC members to endorse Sen. John McCain this afternoon.

Wisconsin RNC members Mary Buestrin and Steve King have already endorsed McCain.

See the press release: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=118547

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Mike Huckabee supporters will gather at the Country Inn and Springs in Waukesha tomorrow to watch election results.

Details of a watch party for John McCain are not yet available. Neither Republican candidate will be in the state tomorrow night.

In other watch party news, the Milwaukee County GOP and student Republican groups from UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University will watch results at the campaign headquarters of Milwaukee Co. Exec. Scott Walker in West Allis.

UW-Madison Republicans will hold a watch party at The Nitty Gritty downtown.

The Eau Claire County GOP and UW-Eau Claire student Republicans will gather at the Best Western there.

And UW-Whitewater Republicans will have a watch party at the Down Under Restaurant at the University Center.

See more in a press release from the RPW.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton supporters will hold watch parties tomorrow night in Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee. Clinton is not expected to remain in the state.

Lt. Gov. Barb Lawton, state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, and Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk will host the Madison eevent at The Stadium Bar.

The Green Bay event will be at the Bay City Smokehouse and the Milwaukee event will be at the Rock Bottom Brewery. U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks, D-NY, is scheduled to attend the event in Milwaukee.

See more details on the watch parties here.


-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

MILWAUKEE -- Michelle Obama, the wife of presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, encouraged Wisconsin voters to "dream a little" when casting their votes during the primary tomorrow.

At a stop in Milwaukee, Obama said electing her husband president would prove to Americans that they can achieve the impossible and do anything.

"Everything begins and ends with dreaming," said Obama to a crowd of several hundred at the Pabst Theater. She drew about 700 to an event later in the day at the Overture Center in Madison.



Michelle highlighted Obama's resume, saying he has more years of legislative experience than his Dem opponent, Hillary Clinton. She also highlighted Obama's work expanding healthcare for kids in the state of Illinois and in passing ethics reform.

Obama touted her husband's opposition to the war in Iraq.

"We were a country afraid, and we had leadership that manipulated that fear," Obama said.

She said her husband was the only candidate "who had the courage to stand up" and oppose the war from the outset, first taking that stand during his primary election for U.S. Senate in Illinois.

Michelle spoke of the disbelief many had in her husband's campaign, saying in Madison he "overcame a lot of odds." Earning enough campaign dollars, creating a successful political organization, winning the Iowa caucus and cutting into Sen. Hillary Clinton's national poll numbers were many of the bars said to be impossible to overcome that Obama was able to "leap over," she said.

"What we've learned this year is hope is making a comeback," she said.

These challenges are similar to those "regular folks" face each day, Obama said, adding that hope and inspiration will "lower the bar" that continues to rise and help Americans reach their dreams.

She refuted the charges that her husband is untested, saying he learned the ropes in the rough-and-tumble world of Chicago politics.

"Folks here in Wisconsin should understand - we live in Chicago," she said in Madison. "Barack has seen it all. He's tough enough."

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Ald. Willie L. Hines Jr. were among those in attendance. Barrett's wife, Kris, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore introduced Obama.

In Madison, she was introduced by Tia Nelson, daughter of former Wisconsin Gov. and U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, and was accompanied by Jessica Doyle, wife of Gov. Jim Doyle.

Listen to audio from the Madison appearance here.

-- By Rebecca Kontowicz and Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Gov. Jim Doyle will host a campaign watch party for Barack Obama tomorrow night at the Great Dane Pub in downtown Madison, according to Obama's campaign.

Obama is expected to be in Ohio when primary returns come in tomorrow night. A watch party is also anticipated for Milwaukee, but a location is yet to be determined.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

A poll by Survey USA shows that Barack Obama would fair better among Wisconsin voters in a general election matchup with GOP frontrunner John McCain.

Fifty-two percent of poll respondents said they would pick Obama over McCain, while 42 percent chose McCain. Six percent were undecided.

Meanwhile, McCain won a head-to-head matchup with Clinton by a 49 percent to 42 percent margin. Nine percent were undecided.

The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 4.3 percent.

A Survey USA poll released Jan. 23 had McCain up on Obama 46-44, while he led Clinton 49-45.

A WISC-TV poll had Obama up 49-42 head-to-head with McCain. Obama also led Huckabee 54-38 among respondents.

The survey had Clinton with a 46-44 edge over McCain and 51-39 lead over Huckabee.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

See the polling memo.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

DE PERE -- Hillary Clinton pushed her health care and economy plans this morning at a town hall style speech at St. Norbert College.

While urging supporters to go vote in tomorrow's primaries, Clinton took time to answer questions at the end of her speech.

Instead of attacking Barack Obama or John McCain, Clinton spent much of her time attacking current President Bush over her key issues.

"We will begin to restore confidence and competence in our government," Clinton said. "Under this president ... we've got cronyism, corruption and incompetence."

Clinton's speech, which was delayed from Sunday due to the weather, tied together the importance of secondary education with the economy, and outlined her "economic blueprint," which was distributed to audience members.

"There is no reason that America can't be producing jobs again," Clinton said.

Before anyone got on stage, chants could be heard from audience members, "Hillary for president! Obama for vice president!"

Clinton did not mention Obama or McCain by name, but told the approximately 600 people in attendance she has "a great deal of respect for her opponent" in the primary race. Later in the speech, Clinton said she was a "proven commodity," and that "There is a big difference between speeches and solutions."

Clinton addressed a variety of other issues, including a plan to promote alternative energy, beginning to pull troops out of Iraq within 60 days of her inauguration, re-writing the tax code, ending No Child Left Behind and rebuilding the United States' image aboard. During the question session, audience members wanted to know more about Clinton's stance on tax cuts, helping teachers, gender disparities and labor issues.

While pointing out her solutions for America, Clinton continued to take shots at the current administration over issues such as energy, Iraq, and other foreign affairs.
"I think the world will breathe a big sigh of relief when President Bush and Dick Cheney leave office," Clinton said. "The era of cowboy diplomacy is over."

Lt. Gov. Barbra Lawton and U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, both spoke before Clinton took the podium. Kagen talked about the need for and benefits of Clinton's health care plan, while Lawton focused more on education. Also in attendance were Mayor Jim Schmitt of Green Bay, Mayor Mike Walsh of De Pere, state Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, and state Rep. James Soletski, D-Green Bay.

-- By Tim Maylander

Labels: 2008 spring primary

John McCain's campaign is running its "Never Surrender" TV ad in Wisconsin.

The ad, first unveiled before the South Carolina primary, calls attention to the Arizona senator's position on Iraq, from calling for a change in strategy to refusing to "play politics with the truth."

"One man does what's right, not what's easy," the ad conludes.

See the ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9dd6wnCawE

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling has issued their second Wisconsin presidential primary poll in less than a week, showing Barack Obama slightly expanding his lead while John McCain's margin has decreased.

In a survey of 822 likely Democratic primary voters, Obama leads Hillary Clinton 53-40, up from a 50-39 advantage last week.

Among 654 likely GOP voters, McCain leads Mike Huckabee 50-39. In last week's PPP poll, the margin was 53-32.

The poll, taken by automated telephone February 16-17, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent for the Democratic results, and plus or minus 3.8 percent for the Republican results.

See the poll: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Wisconsin_Release_021808.pdf

See more on last week's Public Policy Polling poll here.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton's campaign says Barack Obama lifted part of his speech at the Founder's Day Gala in Milwaukee on Saturday from a speech delivered two years earlier by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

"The words he spoke in Wisconsin on Saturday night were inspiring, but now they seem less authentic and more political," said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Clinton campaign communications director Howard Wolfson and McGovern said the lack of attribution from Obama raises questions about his campaign. They added that Obama's thin record as a public official makes the content of his speeches more significant.

"If you're asking the public to judge you on your promises and your rhetoric and you break your promises and lift rhetoric, that raises fundamental questions," said McGovern.

Wolfson claimed Obama has a pattern of breaking campaign promises dating back to 2003. He cited a disconnection between Obama's words and votes on the Patriot Act and his pursuit of a single-payer health care system.

Patrick endorsed Obama's presidential bid back in October, and there are reports that the two are friends who frequently share lines on the stump.

Video from the Clinton campaign comparing the speeches in question can be seen here.

-- By Matt Steingraber

Labels: 2008 spring primary

In an effort to reach non-traditional voters, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this morning appeared on the morning drive shows of top pop radio stations in the Milwaukee and Madison markets.

You can find audio of their interviews on Milwaukee's WKTI here.

Both candidates also appeared on Madison's Z104 this morning. Find audio it here.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

One Dane Co. political couple is faced with the same tough choice many Dem families are debating in advance of Tuesday's primary.

Wayne Bigelow, chair of the Dane Co. Democratic Party, is backing Barack Obama, while his wife Carol Brooks, a former Dane Co. board member, is backing Hillary Clinton.

Bigelow and Brooks were at the Wisconsin Democratic Party dinner in Milwaukee on Saturday night, and weren't moved to switch their choices.

Bigelow noted the candidates' "very different styles" but said Obama was more inspirational.

"Both candidates are wonderful. McCain can't compete," Brooks said. "Both have many of the same ideas. I just think she'd be ready to go from Day 1."


-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Former President George H.W. Bush will endorse John McCain for president at a news conference this morning.

UPDATE: See the release from the McCain campaign here.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

A new poll from American Research Group Inc. finds Hillary Clinton with a six point lead over Barack Obama, a finding contrary to other polls in the Badger State.

The telephone poll, conducted Feb. 15 and 16 among 600 likely Democratic primary voters Wisconsin, gives Clinton a 49 percent to 43 percent edge. The poll included 374 Democrats and 226 independents and Republicans, according to ARG.

On the GOP side, John McCain holds a slim 46 percent to 42 percent lead over Mike Huckabee. The Republican poll sample included 415 Republicans and 185 indepedents and Democrats, according to ARG.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

CLINTON CAMPAIGN
- 9:30 a.m.: Hillary Clinton "Solutions for America" town hall, St. Norbert College, Schuldes Sport Center, 601 Third St., De Pere.
- 1:15 p.m.: Hillary Clinton Attends a "Solutions for America" Town Hall, Wausau Labor Temple, 318 S. 3rd Ave., Wausau.
- 1:30 p.m.: Chelsea Clinton event, Jefferis-Wood Campus Center, Beloit College, Beloit
- 8:30 p.m.: Hillary Clinton rally, Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison.

OBAMA CAMPAIGN
- 11:50 a.m.: Michelle Obama campaign rally, The Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St., Milwaukee.
- 3:15 p.m.: Michelle Obama campaign rally, Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St., Madison.
- 6:15 p.m.: Michelle Obama campaign rally, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Cartwright Center, Valhalla Room, 1725 State St., La Crosse.
- 8 p.m.: Stand for change rally with Barack Obama, Flood Arena, Beloit College, 700 College St., Beloit.

HUCKABEE CAMPAIGN
- 8 a.m.: Hudson Bagel and Coffee Company, 800 Carmichael Rd., Hudson
- 11 a.m.: Rm. 103, Davies Center -- UW-Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Ave., Eau Claire
- 3 p.m.: Wave Ballroom, 2350 Casaloma Dr., Appleton

McCAIN CAMPAIGN
- 5:30 p.m.: Outagamie Co. Republican Party's Annual Lincoln Day Dinner with remarks from John McCain, Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton.
http://www.wisgop.org/Calendar/Detail.aspx?EventID=9068

Labels: 2008 spring primary

SOUTH MILWAUKEE -- Declaring a GOP nominee before the primary results are in would be an insult to the party's grassroots, Mike Huckabee said Sunday night, warning it could create "incredible resentment" among the party's "foot soldiers."

Huckabee's comments came on the eve of the expected endorsement of John McCain by President George H.W. Bush. Huckabee chalked that up to those in Washington thinking the race for the GOP nomination is over.

"You wanted to have a system that says here a process," Huckabee said at a South Milwaukee bowling alley. "Now that we are in the middle of the process, of the game, people are saying, 'Let's not even finish it out.'"

Huckabee said the move to cut off the process could alienate the party's grassroots and the ensuing resentment could damage party unity.

Huckabee returned to wintry Wisconsin on Sunday after delivering a speech in the Cayman Islands Saturday night. Event coordinators said that 150 people turned out to see Huckabee.



Ben Jageer, 24, of Oak Creek, said he supports Huckabee because McCain "is a little to willing to compromise." He also likes Huckabee's straightforwardness.

Lora Siehr, 48, of West Allis, said that Huckabee "is the right man for the job." But she will vote for McCain if Huckabee is not the nominee.

Huckabee stressed his anti-abortion credentials, his push for a so-called "fair tax" and his stance on immigration, a weak spot for McCain with some conservatives.

When asked about McCain's statement that he would not create any new taxes, Huckabee said that he was ahead of McCain, having signed a No New Tax pledge last February.

He opened the event by inviting the media to bowl a game with him and his wife.

At times the couple would use the media cameras to take photos of the bowlers, getting in their faces and snapping photos.

-- By Samantha Hernandez

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton's rescheduled Madison event will start at 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Monona Terrace. Other rescheduled events include stops in De Pere at 9:30 a.m. and Wausau at 1:15 p.m.

Sen. Clinton will be joined by daughter Chelsea at the Madison rally. Earlier in the day, Chelsea Clinton will attend a campaign event at Beloit College at 1:30 p.m.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have a "fundamental difference" in their approach to health care and it's important to point out to voters that his plan would still leave 15 million Americans uninsured, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said today.

Lawton, who's backing Clinton in the race, was responding to a conference call Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy held with reporters today to assail a mailer her campaign sent out as an attack piece.

Doyle complained that Clinton was going negative a time when she was planning to pull out of Wisconsin before Tuesday's primary.

"It's a fundamental difference in the understanding of how government can work to do good for us in our lives," Lawton said. "She understands how to drive us to universal health care, and Barack Obama's plan as analyzed by independent economists leaves 15 million uninsured."

Lawton also said the governor had made an "erroneous statement" in saying Clinton was going to leave Wisconsin early and had "jumped the gun."

Clinton had planned to leave Wisconsin during the day Monday. But she's now trying to squeeze in three stops she had scheduled for Sunday but had to delay because of the weather. They include a rally in De Pere that has been rescheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday, another rally in Madison and a town hall meeting in Wausau.

"Senator Clinton and everybody attached to her campaign have given us their full attention and energy," Lawton said.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

State Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, endorsed Dem presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

"Listening to Senator Obama speak yesterday about his plan to support technical colleges here in Wisconsin and around the country really sealed the deal for me," Decker said in an Obama campaign releas. "It's clear to me that Senator Obama recognizes the importance of training our workforce for the high-end manufacturing jobs that are essential to Wisconsin's economy."

See the release here

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Endorsements, Obama

Hillary Clinton's planned rally tonight at the Monona Terrace in Madison has been postponed until tomorrow because of the weather, according to her campaign.

The campaign said the event had been postponed until "a time to be determined."

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Gov. Jim Doyle slammed Dem presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton Sunday afternoon for a mailer that criticizes Barack Obama's health care plan, saying she was going negative in Wisconsin even though she wasn't bothering to spend much time here.

"It's telling that she backed off from the last two days she was scheduled to be in Wisconsin" while the state has been on the political center stage, Doyle said.

Clinton had originally announced plans to campaign in Wisconsin Saturday through the primary on Tuesday but now plans to leave Monday.

Doyle, who is backing Obama, was joined in a conference call with U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., to respond to the mailer. Both men called it a negative attack piece, and Kennedy said he was "shocked and surprised" when he read it.

See the mailer here:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/080217ClintonMailer.pdf

Kennedy said both Clinton and Obama have what are effectively universal health care plans and this piece equates to "fear mongering."

"We're much better off being positive, being constructive," Kennedy said.

One reporter pointed out Obama's own mailers on health care have been labeled attack ads by critics, but Kennedy said they aren't the same thing without elaborating.

Obama surrogates have continued to criticize Clinton for her decision to leave Wisconsin a day earlier than previously planned, and Doyle kept up that line in the conference call.

Doyle pointed out Bill Clinton performed well here during his 1992 and 1996 races and Wisconsin has the demographics, history and structure to be "a good one for Hillary Clinton."

But he said "Obama has been all over the place" in Wisconsin, drawing huge crowds on short notice. Still, he said he expected Tuesday's results to be "very, very close."

-- By Matt Dolbey

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton has postponed this afternoon's planned rally in De Pere until Monday because of the weather, while Barack Obama has canceled an event in Kaukauna.

Clinton's event was scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. today but will instead go off at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. She was making a stop today in Milwaukee at Miss Katie's Diner.

Clinton's rally at Madison's Monona Terrace was still on for 8:30 p.m. today as of this morning.

Obama's campaign said in a release its town hall meeting in Kaukauna had been canceled because of the weather. He will resume campaigning in Wisconsin tomorrow in Beloit.

UPDATE: Obama's campaign has also canceled appearances by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri because of the weather. The three were scheduled to stop in La Crosse, Eau Claire and Superior. The canvassing events they were scheduled to appear at are still on.

A spokesman for Mike Huckabee says his planned campaign event in Milwaukee tonight is still on.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

For those who were on the fence in advance of Tuesday's primary, the Founder's Day dinner provided a way to compare Obama and Clinton back to back.

And for at least one attendee, Saturday night's speeches swayed him toward Obama.

John Mann, a construction consultant from Mequon was undecided on who cast his vote for next Tuesday, going into tonight's event. But after hearing both of the candidates speak, he's now for Obama."His [Obama's] positive energy and what it's doing for the future'' is what Mann said won him over.

Milton Bond, who was undecided coming in, thought Clinton gave a good speech, but "it felt like Obama connected more with the audience - at least with me."

He said, though, that he's still making up his mind on who he'll cast his vote for Tuesday.

But Bond added, "I'm OK if (Obama's) the one, to be honest with you."

Millard Eisler and Pam Robbins, who were wearing their Clinton buttons proudly, said the speeches tonight didn't sway them.

"The bottom line is she still has more substance, and he has more emotion," said Eisler, of Madison.

Eisler said Clinton is more tested, and better able to withstand the campaign against a Republican in the general election.

"I'm sticking with her," he said.

Robbins, of Middleton, acknowledged Obama's strength as a speaker, but she said Clinton "has a lot more background to her."

Both said, though, they'd have no problem supporting Obama if he is the eventual nominee.

"We're unified," Eisler said. "Either one is far, far better than John McCain.

Tamara Maddente, of Shorwood said she swayed by Obama's speech.

"I have a little more clarity tonight. I believe in the Democratic Party. I
think that Barack Obama has taken my vote tonight,'' Maddente said

Summer Shannon-Bradley said she has solidified her support for Obama.

"It solidifies my decision," she said adding that she is looking for change. "We've had a Bush and Clinton in the white House for a long time."

Vicki Lukasavitz, 48, of Sheboygan, said she liked Obama's focus on hope, but that she was still undecided after hearing both speak tonight.

"It's going to be really hard."

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Barack Obama countered Clinton's claims that he wasn't for universal health care, declaring that Ted Kennedy and SEIU wouldn't have endorsed him if he wasn't committed to that cause.

Obama seemed to be responding to an ad from the Clinton campaign when he said that his plan will cover any one who doesn't have health coverage and wants it.

"If you do not have health insurance and you want coverage, you will have it under my plan," he said. "Any other suggestion is simply false."

Obama said the Clinton plan would "go after wages" if a person refused to pay into the plan, an idea he said doesn't address the root cause of why Americans are uninsured.

"I believe the reason people don't have (health insurance) is because they can't afford it," he said.

He also jabbed at another one of Clinton's recent lines of attack against him.

"All of us should be in the solutions business, but too often it ends up business as usual," he said.

He said Washington isn't lacking in good ideas, but "lobbyists crush them," he said.

"Washington is the place where good ideas go to die," he said.

Obama systematically addressed criticisms of his campaign before Democrats tonight during a speech that brought the crowd to its feet at several points.

Obama addressed the contention that he's not experienced enough to lead the country, that he's not been in Washington long enough.

"We don't need someone who can play the game better," Obama said, "we need someone who can put an end to the game playing."

He also addressed concerns that he's untested, and hasn't faced the Republican in an aggressive campaign yet.

"I'm from the South Side of Chicago," Obama said. "I'm skinny but I'm tough, and I'm looking forward to a debate with John McCain."

While expressing respect for McCain he said he "made some bad choices about the company he keeps" and that he has supported all of Bush's "failed policies."

"If he wants a 100 year war in Iraq, that's one reason not to give him four years in the White House," Obama said.

He also addressed criticism that he may be a good speaker, but lacks experience or substance.

"This argument ignores the 20 years I've spend devoted to public service at every level," Obama said.

Obama said said it's important for a president to be able to engage people and inspire them and make politics cool, important and relevant again.

"The American people want to be believe in change again; don't tell me words don't matter," Obama said. "Don't tell me ideals and inspiration doesn't matter."

While those moved by his words cheered frequently, one fan stood out.

"I love you," one woman shouted.

"I love you back," Obama quickly replied.

Listen to his speech here
Read his prepared remarks here.

-- By Greg Bump and Dave Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Introducing Barack Obama, Gov. Jim Doyle said he is an "extraordinary candidate" for an "extraordinary time."

Doyle, who has traveled with Obama as he campaigned through the state this week, said Obama is "a person of great character, of great accomplishment," and described him as "a great uniter."

Obama took the stage to a much more boisterous reception than Clinton had received.

Listen to Doyle's remarks here
-- By Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Gen. Wesley Clark, who is in the state campaigning for Hillary Clinton, is at the gala tonight and gave very brief remarks to those gathered.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton told Democrats "let's get real" about tough issues and "get
back in the solutions business."

Clinton, contrasting herself with the change mantle of Barack Obama, stressed
that she was the only candidate now for true universal health and that it was
time to have a "fighter, doer and champion again in the White House.''

"Yes, toughness," she said. "You know, we need a tough president because we
have tough problems."

Clinton said change is going to happen. "The question is whether we're going to
have the right kind of change," she said, adding she stands for "progress."

Clinton positioned her self as the one who's best preparede to take on Republicans in the general election.

"We know exactly what they'll do. They'll throw everything they've got at one of us," Clinton said. "I've been through it and I've beaten it and I will do it again."

If you stand with me on Tues, then on Jan, 20, 2009 I will be in the whitehouse.


Clinton said the next president will walk into the oval office with two wars, an economy in trouble, and millions of citizens without healthcare waiting for him or her.


Clinton bashed Bush saying that instead of solving problems, Bush has "stood in our way."

"This has done a great disservice to America," Clinton said.

Clinton said that America "will survive eight years" of Bush and Cheney and "enter the future with confidence and optimism again."

Clinton was introduced by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, who said Clinton "has been preparing all of her life to lead at this moment"

"This is a woman who is determined to serve," she said.

Lawton praised Clinton as a person who will lead with "wisdom and authority" and that "she's ready to set this nation back on track."

Clinton, wearing Democratic blue and a little hoarse, was received warmly throughout her speech. But she got a standing ovation from about a third of the audience when she said she was tough enough to stand up to Republican attacks.

As she left the stage, Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" played over the loudspeakers.

Listen Lawton's introduction here
Listen to Clinton's speech here

Labels: 2008 spring primary

State Rep. Cory Mason was an early member of the Obama bandwagon, announcing his support publicly way back in February of last year. So it should be no surprise that when Obama made plans to come into Wisconsin, the Racine Democrat was on his shortlist when it came to helping pull together events in southeastern Wisconsin.

Mason helped to build crowds for the Illinois Senator's events in Racine. The stops included an event at Gatewway Technical College, where some footage was shot for a potential campaign commercial.

"What was great about Obama coming to town was there were several venues where he talked with different members of the community," Mason said.

At one planning event, Mason said he was surprised at the number of new faces he saw.

"Person after person said they had never volunteered on a campaign before," he said. "You have to really respect the power of the Obama campaign to reach out to people who don't normally engage in the political process."

Mason said he became an Obama fan after reading his book, "The Audacity of Hope."

-- By Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold bashed conservatives for criticizing the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, asking "since when is it a conservative principle to allow mass corruption in the election process."

Feingold said that if the number one criticism by Republicans of McCain is that he co-sponsored the campaign finance reform bill, it shows "that's a political party that admires fat cat fundraising and whose personal account reads moral bankruptcy."

Feingold knocked Huckabee, saying "he knows as much about campaign finance reform as he knows about Pakistan, which apparently isn't a whole lot."

He criticized Huckabee for saying he finds it hard to raise funds under the bill, pointing to Obama and Clinton's fundraising prowess.

Feingold praised Obama and Clinton for supporting healthcare reform, and for voting for a deadline for withdrawal from Iraq.

"I want to thank these two senators for the unbelievable hard work they have done on this campaign," Feingold said. "They have both been tough as nails."

-- By David Wise and Rebecca Kontowicz

Labels: 2008 spring primary

State Rep. Sheldon Wasserman, D-Milwaukee, says he is closing in on visiting 10,000 doors in the 8th Senate District, where he is challenging incumbent Republican Alberta Darling of River Hills.

Wasserman said he knocked on 136 doors today, which brings his total to 9,223. He plans to hit 10,000 by mid-March.

The task hasn't been without its perils. Tonight, Wasserman showed a reporter from WisPolitics bites to both legs from a constituent's dog. Luckily, the dog's shots were up to date.

Wasserman said he's ready for debates. "Any time, anywhere, I'm ready to go," he said.

"People want change," he said. "You can feel it all the way down."

-- By Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl urged unity following the election.

Kohl, who was the party chairman in the 1970s, addressed the room lightheartedly at first. "Tonight, we should all know that the next Democratic ticket to the White House will not be Brett Favre and Herb Kohl," he said. The statement was greeted by a lot of laughter.

The senator acknowledged that the current Democratic primaries is one of the closest in Democratic history and looked at the future optimistically.

"We can finally look forward to a new president that shares our values," Kohl said.

Both Sen. Clinton and Obama care deeply about the country and demonstrate their passion, each day on the campaign trail, according to Kohl. He urged the party to unite to defeat the Republicans once a candidate is nominated.

"We will all need to turn our attention to the real goal, defeating John McCain and regaining the White House," said Kohl.

-- By Rebecca Kontowicz

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin remarked on the historic nature of the upcoming election.

"What we come to call history feels just like this," said Baldwin, who is supporting Clinton in the primary. "We and the Democratic party are making history today."

Baldwin said that after seven "long years" in the "wasteland of the Bush administration," that there is not a choice between the lesser of two evils, but between "two amazing candidates."

Baldwin remarked on the fact that an African American and a woman are the two candidates left, saying all of America's children can look at the candidates and picture themselves there.

-- By David Wise and Rebecca Kontowicz

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen told the crowd "this will be our year and this will be our time."

"We will move a Democrat into the White House next January," he declared.

Kagen, a doctor, said we need universal access to affordable health care in the United States.

"We need a Democratic president who has good judgment," Kagen said, who will sign a bill providing healthcare to all.

"My constituents cannot hold their breath any longer."

-- By Rebecca Kontowicz

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton has tentatively scrapped plans to hold campaign rallies in Oshkosh and Eau Claire on Monday, according to a source close to the campaign.

The official reason for the change given by the campaign was a snow storm headed for Wisconsin, but some are speculating that she is turning her attention to Texas and Ohio.

Clinton had originally planned to campaign herself through Tuesday in the Badger State. Her campaign sent out an advisory today saying her daughter Chelsea will be in the state Monday and Tuesday, and Hillary will be here through Monday morning.


-- By Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore welcomed attendees with a short barn-burner bashing President George W. Bush.

Moore said that under Bush, "the last seven years have been hell," and listed the exact days and hours that he has left in the Oval office.

Moore criticized Bush for his handling of the war in Iraq.

"We want a regime change, not in Iraq but here at home right here in the United States of America," Moore said.

With a primary fight that has gotten contentious at times, Moore said that "when it's all over, we're all Democrats and we're going to come together."

"It will be a great morning in America when we take back our nation from the right wing."


-- By David Wise and Rebecca Kontowicz

Labels: 2008 spring primary

DPW Chair Joe Wineke welcomed attendee's to the event, telling them "it's a great night to be a Democrat in Wisconsin."

Wineke remarked on the passing of Democratic activist Marlys Matuszak, whose memorial service was today.

"A week ago we lost an incredible activist, amazing person and dear friend," Wineke said, "who gave her life and soul to our Democratic party."

Wineke said Matuszak would not want a moment of silence, but instead said the way to honor her would be to "kick a little but this November."

-- By Rebecca Kontowicz and David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett opened the event and welcomed guests to the Founders Day Gala at the Midwest Airlines Center Saturday night.

"Seven years of Bush - Cheney politics is about to come to an end," he said.

"We have two fantastic candidates for presidency on the Democratic side," said Barrett, adding "we are literally witnessing history tonight."

-- By Rebecca Kontowicz

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold said if Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton wins Wisconsin with a "significant victory," it would help him to decide which candidate to back for the party's nomination.

"The next important piece of information will be what happens in Wisconsin," Feingold told WisPolitics. "That will be of significance to me, in terms of where I'm leaning."

Feingold said while the war in Iraq has been pushed aside by other issues in the campaign, it will play a major role in the November election.

"John (McCain) and I are good friends, but we could not be more different on Iraq," he said

Both Obama and Clinton have voted for the Feingold-Reid bill, which sets a date for troop withdrawal, he said.

"Everybody thinks Iraq is off to the side. It will be the central issue in a matter of weeks," he said.


Feingold said he doesn't think there will be a brokered convention to name a nominee, as some have predicted.

"It would be interesting and exciting, but difficult," Feingold said. "My guess is there will be a nominee before the convention one way or the other, but it's going to require some complicated discussions."

Listen to the audio here

-- By Greg Bump

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Feingold

Jennifer Thompson waited Saturday for two and a half hours in temperatures that struggled to get to 20 with her three young children to hear Barack Obama. The day-care provider from Bloomer said she was undecided about her choice in Tuesday's presidential primary election before she heard Obama speak for nearly 50 minutes in UW-Eau Claire's Zorn Arena.

But Thompson isn't quite sure the 46-year-old U.S. senator from Illinois would be able to deliver on his promises.

"I hope what he says he will do, he will be able to do," Thompson said as her children pulled at her coat sleeves.

Thompson added that Obama's speech covered "everything I wanted to hear."

Obama, in his second appearance in Wisconsin of the day, did indeed run through the litany of issues he has hammered on throughout his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination: health care, education, the war in Iraq, energy policy, economic insecurity and taxes.

He waited until 38 minutes into his speech to mention Sen. Hillary Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination who has cancelled a stop in Eau Claire on Monday. He derided the claim by Clinton that he is a "pretty good talker" without the seasoning to accomplish his ambitious agenda.

He then rattled off his experience as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, Illinois legislator and U.S. senator, saying he has accomplished the majority of his goals at every stage in his life.

"All of this (agenda) is possible if you believe change is possible," Obama said. "The last thing we need is to have this same old cast of characters doing the same old things" in Washington, D.C., an apparent reference to Clinton's history in the White House as First Lady.

Many times the capacity crowd in the arena, which holds 3,200, cheered so loud that Obama's words were drowned out as Obama encouraged his supporters to vote in Tuesday's primary.

He repeatedly came back to his essential message that the United States finds itself at a juncture: "We are at a defining moment in our history, Eau Claire."

In an area that suffers from low average family income, Obama pledged that as president he would work toward "restoring a sense of economic fairness" in the country by pegging increases to the minimum wage to the rate of inflation, rolling back tax breaks for the rich and helping those who can't afford health insurance to pay for coverage. He also pledged to protect Social Security benefits.

Turning to higher education, Obama promoted his plan to offer a $4,000 annual tax credit to pay for tuition. Students would be expected to perform 100 hours of community service a year in return, he said.

He concluded by returning to his message of hope and change.

"This is our moment," he said. "This is our time."

Before leaving the arena, after the crowd had cleared out, Obama came out to take pictures with the supporters who were seated behind him during the speech and to take pictures with the UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team.

-- By Doug Mell

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has endorsed Barack Obama in the Democratic primary and John McCain in the Republican primary.

The Obama endorsement says, in part:

Our recommendation in Wisconsin's primary on Tuesday for the Democratic nomination is Barack Obama. That's our recommendation because change and experience are crucial to moving this country forward after what will be eight years of an administration careening from mistake to catastrophe to disaster and back again.

The Illinois senator is best-equipped to deliver that change, and his relatively shorter time in Washington is more asset than handicap.

Regarding McCain, the paper says:

His torturous captivity as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam provides a powerful and stirring tale of one man's fidelity to duty and love of country. To many, this alone might commend him for higher office.

However, his public service afterward also compels a vote for McCain in our state's open primary. As a U.S. senator, he has been - despite rhetoric to the contrary - a dependable conservative voice. But what makes McCain different than myriad conservative voices is his capacity to selectively forsake crowd-pleasing ideology when his principles take him elsewhere.

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Watch the latest episode of WisOpinion: The Show for an in-depth discussion of the campaign to win Wisconsin's Feb. 19 primary.

This week's episode features Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics.com; John NIchols, associate editor of The Capital Times; Mark Jefferson, executive director of the state Republican Party; John Murray from Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch's office and Andy Gussert, director of the Citizens Trade Campaign.

Watch the show

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Gov. Jim Doyle was on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" this week to pump up Barack Obama and the presidential primary in Wisconsin. Matthews then goes after Doyle for not mentioning much in the way of specifics of how Obama has helped Wisconsin's economy in the U.S. Senate.

See the video

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary, Obama

Barack Obama is outspending Hillary Clinton by a better than 4-to-1 margin on TV ads in the state's top two media markets, according to reports viewed by WisPolitics Friday.

According to the reports, Obama has spent $831,880 on TV ads through Tuesday's primary in Madison and Milwaukee. Clinton has spent $180,990.

Obama, who went up on the air in Wisconsin five days before Clinton, has spent $506,870 on the four network affiliates in the Milwaukee market, which is home to the state's largest African American population. Obama has held a significant edge over Clinton among black voters in recent primaries and caucuses.

Obama has spent $325,010 on the four network affiliates in the Madison market, according to the reports.

Clinton has also spent the bulk of her money in the Milwaukee market, purchasing $117,795 worth of ads there. She has spent $63,195 in the Madison market.

**Huckabee, McCain on air with less intensity**

Republicans Mike Huckabee and John McCain have also gotten up on the air in Wisconsin, but in much smaller numbers than their Dem counterparts.

Huckabee went up before McCain and has spent $100,925 on ads on the four network affiliates in the Madison and Milwaukee markets. Almost three-fourths of that money has been spent in Milwaukee.

McCain's first ads began running Friday. McCain has spent at least $67,005 on spots in the two markets, though his total spending could not be determined. As of Friday afternoon numbers were not available at WTMJ in Milwaukee, while two stations in Madison were still processing his orders and could not provide a total.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2008 spring primary

MILWAUKEE -- John McCain stressed the need to win the war on terror, succeed in Iraq and eliminate pork-barrel spending during a Republican Party fundraiser Friday night on Milwaukee's south side.

McCain described the battle against radical Islamic extremism as the "transcendent challenge of the 21st century" in which a "warped and evil" enemy intends to "destroy everything we believe in."

To standing applause, McCain pledged to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.

"If I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I will get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice," McCain said.

McCain knocked Democrats in Congress for not having a vote to approve broadened federal wiretap authority.

"We are trying to give the president the ability to beat back this force of evil, and the United States House of Representatives under Democrat leadership decided not to agree, shut down and leave town and go on vacation," McCain said.

McCain said America is succeeding in Iraq and noted that the Iraqis have made political progress, recently voting on a bill on reconciliation and passed a budget.

"The Democrats were wrong when they said the surge wouldn't succeed," McCain said.

McCain railed against earmarks, saying that the $35 billion in earmarks approved in the last two spending bills signed by President George W. Bush is enough to give a $1,000 tax credit for each child in America.

McCain said that Republicans have let spending get out of control, but remarked that he's never asked for, nor received, an earmarked project for Arizona. He vowed to veto any bill that crossed his desk that contained one.

McCain chastised Hillary Clinton for including $392 billion in earmarks for New York, but joked that Barack Obama "is working his way up" with the $92 million in earmarks approved for Illinois.

McCain also discussed his plan to address illegal immigration through secure borders and a secure ID for guest workers, a bit about his experience in a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam and the importance of supporting veterans.

He pledged to compete in all 50 states this fall and predicted he would win Wisconsin.

McCain was introduced by former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who called McCain a "great American" and a "patriot."

Thompson said it bothers him when people say McCain isn't conservative enough and touted his anti-abortion credentials, his promise to veto earmarks and his plan to stay in Iraq until the war is won.

About 400 people attended the Reagan Day Dinner at Serb Hall, which featured a family-style fish fry and a cash bar. Among those in attendance were many area elected officials and party activists.

Much has been made nationally of strains between McCain and the GOP's conservative base, but his speech Friday night was well received with the crowd often interrupting with loud applause.

Mike Deeken, 55, said McCain is the "real deal" to him and said the war in Iraq is the most important issue.

"I think he's been right all along, and I think he'll help us find a way out of it," he said.

Steve Kraeger, 50, said he was not originally a big McCain fan, but it's now important to support him.

Kraeger said he's impressed with McCain's stance on Iraq and earmarked spending and the sincerity in which he speaks of his support for veterans and his experiences as a prisoner of war.

"I believe he's more conservative that my first impressions were of him," Kraeger said.

State Rep. Jeff Stone, who represents Milwaukee's south side, said McCain's appearance shows he means to compete in Wisconsin and that he will do well here in the general election. He said the speech showed new energy in the race.

"I thought it was an excellent speech," Stone said. "I think what you're beginning to see is some new energy that's really showing that the campaign is beginning to solidify around John McCain."


-- By David Wise

Labels: 2008 spring primary

GREEN BAY -- Barack Obama defended himself Friday against the latest TV ad from rival Hillary Clinton, arguing he has a 20-year track record that proves he is both a talker and a doer.

"That's how change is going to happen," Obama said, referring to discussion and working together to solve problems. "What Senator Clinton doesn't understand is that none of that matters if all we're doing is bickering and engaging in the same old partisan politics."

Clinton began a TV ad this week questioning why Obama had refused to meet her in a Wisconsin debate before Tuesday's primary. She followed it up with a second spot today complaining that he refuses to debate, saying he is instead "hiding behind false attack ads." The spot says Obama's health care plan would leave 15 million people without coverage, that he voted to pass billions in "Bush giveaways" to oil companies and said he has indicated he might raise the retirement age for Social Security and cut benefits.

Speaking on the UW-Green Bay campus, "I'm skinny, but I'm tough" and took a swipe at the Clintons by saying, "The last thing we need is to have the same old folks doing the same old things."

Obama also had harsh words for John McCain, whom Obama said he reveres and should be applauded for his service to the country.

"McCain is wrong on the economy," Obama said. "He is wrong on Iraq when he says that we should stay there for 50 or 60 or 100 years. ... He is looking backwards, and I am looking forwards."

Obama began the speech by asking, "What's up, cheeseheads?" and poked fun at his hometown football team, the Chicago Bears.

Those attending the rally included Gov. Jim Doyle, state Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, state Reps. James Soletski, D-Green Bay, and Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, and Green Bay Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga.

Obama spoke briefly on a variety of issues including social security, health care, veterans affairs, tax breaks, energy policies, the Iraq war and restoring bipartisan support in Washington. He spent the most time discussing education and the other candidates in the race.

"Hope is not blind optimism," Obama said. "Nothing worthwhile in this country would have ever happened except somebody, somewhere was willing to hope."

-- By Tim Maylander

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Gov. Doyle accused the Hillary Clinton campaign of "hypocrisy" for running a new negative ad against Barack Obama in Wisconsin while the New York Senator campaigns elsewhere.

"He's out here in the state having a one-sided debate right now," Doyle said of Obama. The governor and Obama national spokesman Bill Burton talked with reporters in a conference call after attending a campaign rally with Obama in Oshkosh.

"To have Senator Clinton launch these false and negative attacks... is just more of this, the politics that he's talking about doing away with," Doyle said. "She has not reached out to the voters of Wisconsin at all."

In the ad, the Clinton campaign accuses Obama of "hiding behind false attack ads." The ad also says the Illinois Senator's health plan would leave 15 million people uninsured, and that he supports giveaways to oil companies and cutting Social Security benefits. Doyle refuted those claims, saying that Wisconsinites have been able to hear specifics about Obama's plans up close.

"To claim that somehow he's a lackey for the big oil companies is just laughable," Doyle said.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

The Clinton Campaign has issued two new 30-second TV spots in Wisconsin.

"Deserves" attacks Barack Obama for declining to debate in the state, arguing that "he's hiding behind false attack ads."

"Rebuild" focuses on Clinton's efforts to reach middle-class voters, promising to end corporate tax breaks and giveaways.

See the ads:
"Deserves"
"Rebuild"

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Hillary Clinton released her Wisconsin campaign schedule this afternoon, which will include a "Solutions for America" rally in Madison Sunday evening at the Monona Terrace. The rally starts at 7 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m.

Other Clinton stops:

Saturday

The Brat Stop in Kenosha, 2:30 p.m.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Founder's Day Dinner, Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee, event starts at 6 p.m.

Sunday

"Solutions for America" Town Hall, St. Norbert College, De Pere, 2:30 p.m.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, a former Romney-backer, has joined the former Massachusetts Governor in endorsing John McCain.

The McCain Campaign added Petri to its Wisconsin steering committee this afternoon.

See an updated list of Wisconsin endorsements: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=117907

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary

MILWAUKEE -- Barack Obama said he was seasoned enough for president, rejecting the suggestion from Hillary Clinton's campaign that he needed more experience for the job.

Speaking at the Midwest Airlines Center, Obama quoted Clinton saying he was inspiring but "has not been in Washington long enough."

Obama countered that American understands that the real gamble would be having the "same old cast of characters" doing the same old things.

Clinton's campaign has been using a new line to attack Obama, saying she's about solutions and not speeches.

Obama agreed that speeches do not solve problems.

"That is why I have spent 20 years as a city organizer and legislator," working civil rights works and committed himself to helping people in need, he said.

Obama also touched on likely GOP nominee John McCain. While he respects McCain's military service, Obama said the Republican "wants to take us backwards," and "I want to take us forward."

Event organizers said that 6,000 people attended the rally.

He promised when he pulls the troops out of Iraq that they are not forgotten and that he wants to "end the mindset that got us into the war."

He also touched upon the need for affordable healthcare, tax cuts for the poor and tuition assistance for all students with a public service repayment plan.

Mayor Tom Barrett, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, and Oprah Winfrey's mother, Vernita Lee, were also at the rally.

After the rally, Susan Voltz said she loved that Obama "doesn't just want to take care of us, but inspire us as a country to take care of ourselves."

"I love coming away with a feeling that it is OK to hope and that it is not foolish to hope," she said.

Another rally attendee, Damian Roundtree, said Obama should talk more about how he is going to attain his goals, not just what he is going to do.

-- By Samantha Hernandez

Labels: 2008 spring primary

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri are due to hit UW campuses in La Crosse, Eau Claire and Superior to stump for Barack Obama on Sunday.

See the press release from the Obama campaign here.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2008 spring primary