Hillary giving up on Wisconsin

[madaboutharry]

It was announced in the local papers on Friday that Hillary would be coming to the town I live in and campaigning in Wisconsin up until Tuesday. Now, she has canceled her schedule and is leaving Monday morning instead and going to Texas. This on the heals of Sen. Obama's endorsement from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"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 an asset than handicap."

I love the "careening from mistake to catastrophe" part!

[Kahuna]

1. I just heard on CSPAN that she is campaign in WI today. That's

not exactly "giving up."

[bigtree]

4. Nope. One day cut off of her schedule, after the wonderful speech last night

I would ask these folks pushing this story why Obama doesn't deserve the same criticism as he shoves off at about the same time Hillary's moving on?

[Renew Deal]

8. Because he's not cancelling events and...

The race must not be close if they are both leaving.

[ginnyinWI]

10. Obama has been here all week!

Tuesday night--Madison. Wednesday--The GM plant, Waukesha and Racine. Thursday--off for Valentine's Day--he spent it at home in Chicago. Friday and Saturday--various cities including Green Bay and Appleton--and then the Founder's Day Gala in Milwaukee. Today--two more cities. He's workin' for votes!

Compare this to Hillary: The Founder's Day Gala and then campaigning today.

In addition to the major newspaper endorsement, Obama's got some powerful politicians backing him strongly: the governor, the mayor of Milwaukee, and mayors of several other larger cities in SE Wisconsin.


I predict another blow-out win.

[rodeodance]

17. see my post below--I will start a thead on her rescheduled events for MONDAY

[Tarc]

2. More Obamaniac pipe dreams

[bigtree]

3. She had a fantastic speech there last night alongside Obama

After days of close and personal campaigning, she's probably correct that she's done as well as possible there. The speech last night will get local coverage which would exceed the benefits of the ONE DAY she's cut from her schedule there. But, don't tell the Obama folks who think she's giving something up. It's their own arrogance which will trip them up in the end, I believe.

[madaboutharry]

6. I wasn't being arrogant.

I was planning to see her on Monday. Leaving early and cancelling appearances isn't in her favor. Obama has outspent her here greatly, has spent a great deal of time here, and his ads have been everywhere along with McCain's. I am glad for her that she gave a great speech. I wish people could make a comment around here without suffering accusations of arrogance.

[corkhead]

7. more empty, mindless potshots from childish namecallers

[berni_mccoy]

5. Wow, and she's not even going to Ohio?!?! WTF, they must be in desperation mode!

[mikekohr]

9. Random thoughts from a FIB

Obama should do well in Hawaii.

Wisconsin however has demographics that matches up well with Senator Clinton. Although Senator Obama is from neighboring Illinois, there exists a cultural tension between the two states, particularly between upstate Wisconsin residents and Chicago area tourists/summer cabin owners. And don't under-estimate the ferocity of the Packers/Bears rivalry. Illinois people are commonly referred to as FIB's (F#!%$*@ Illinois Bastards) in Wisconsin, a pejorative that I grudgingly admit is somewhat deserved.

Senator Clinton's home state is of course Illinois, so perhaps this cultural tension between Illinois/Wisconsin will be a wash.

All the polls I have seen show Senator Obama up 5% in Wisconsin, with the exception of one that shows Senator Clinton up 6%. The daily trend seems at this point to favor Senator Obama.

I believe if Senator Obama delivers big pluralities in Wisconsin as he has in the last two weeks, then he may develop a surge of momentum that can turn this race quickly. If the results are close or Senator Clinton wins, then this fight will probably end up in a brokered convention. In that event how this race ends up is any body's guess.

mike kohr
a FIB from downstate Illinois

[ginnyinWI]

11. nah, the Dems of both states are very friendly

We still remember all the volunteers who drove up here to help campaign for Kerry, Illinois being already dark blue and us being a swing state. We like your Dems! One thing, I think, in Obama's favor in the Midwest is the fact that he's from here and knows our values and mannerisms. He can speak to us. There are a lot of Republican Wisconsinites who are getting on board.

[mikekohr]

13. Thanks Ginny!

I feel the love! And I am seeing the same thing in our downstate Illinois county. Republicans and Independents are coming to Senator Obama's campaign in numbers here I have never seen nor would have never expected.

mike

p.s. If you stop by the Milwaukee Art Museum drop by the cafe for a meal. My daughter works there. She's a proud cheesehead now.

[ginnyinWI]

14. oh I've eaten there several times!

It's a great place to have a sandwich or salad after viewing the exhibits. :)

[undeterred]

12. Hillary has a huge event at Monona Terrace in Madison WI at 6:30pm tonight

and she's coming to it from another event upstate in Wausau WI. She was at at major fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in Milwaukee last night, and Chelsea and Bill have been campaigning in WI all week.

I am not a Hillary supporter, but I do like to see people get the facts straight.

[rodeodance]

18. thank you

[sniffa]

15. But she still wants a debate there

before she leaves tomorrow.

[Drunken Irishman]

19. Yeah, I don't get that.

Maybe they can hold it in the airport terminal waiting for her flight.

Clinton: "Barack, we have 10 minutes before I need to take off, so let's do this super fast debate."

Obama: "Uh, ok Hillary, let's have the skycap ask the first question."

Skycap: "Senator Clinton, you voted for the Iraq War, are you sorry for that vote?"

Clinton: "Oh no, look at the time, my plane has arrived. Gotta go!"

[rodeodance]

16. NO she is not--she has RE-scheduled events for MONDAY-& Chelsea is coming back***