Here's a brief update on what's going on today in Eau Claire, WI, for those who care about the major western population center of Wisconsin:
-- a visit by Mike Huckabee
-- canvassing by Obama campaign
-- a surprise visit by Hillary Clinton?
I'll start with the Clinton news. I just heard a rumor is flying around that Hillary Clinton will make a surprise appearance in Eau Claire this afternoon. For those in the Eau Claire area, the rumor is she's flying in to the city and will appear at Mike's Smokehouse around 1:30 or so, maybe a bit earlier, maybe a bit later. It has to be quick, since she has a town hall meeting set in Wausau at 2:15 (rescheduled from yesterday due to the snowstorm). At my house we got a call from the local Clinton campaign around 11:30, but they made no mention of the visit, just a reminder to vote. I'm guessing this "surprise" visit isn't so much to get a big crowd as it is for media attention on the news tonight. Remember, the Clinton campaign had scheduled a 1pm town hall meeting at Memorial High School in Eau Claire for today, before canceling it late Friday. If this visit comes to fruition in the next hour, we'll see if it has any impact locally (will it get live coverage? does she draw a crowd?).
Also, Mike Huckabee appeared at UW-Eau Claire this morning at 11am (the speech got live coverage on the local TV stations, just like Obama). It was in a conference room at the University (the Council Fire Room, for those familiar with UW-Eau Claire). Not nearly the crowd of Obama, maybe similar to Chelsea Clinton's crowd. The introducer for Huckabee? 2004 Republican Senate candidate Tim Michels (who lost to Russ Feingold). An odd choice. Of course, there aren't that many elected Republicans left in the Eau Claire area who would likely support Huckabee (the remaining ones seem more likely to be McCain or Paul supporters), so I guess they had to scrounge.
The doorbell rang this morning: a couple teenagers canvasing asking if we were planning to vote for Obama, and also handed me some Obama literature. Considering it's President's Day and school is closed, I'm guessing they were high schoolers. Also, considering it's in the upper single digits with wind and snow, I have to give them credit for braving the elements.
So, that's an update from out here. More to come, especially if that Clinton visit happens.
UPDATE: 2:03 CST
So, I had my times a bit off. I failed to account for the times being eastern, so Clinton's town hall was supposed to start at 1:15. Not sure if it has started yet. The speculation is the visit may happen between 3:30 and 5:30. Of course, the weather's not great for travel -- I was just driving around the city, and the 2-3 inches of snow this morning made it a little treacherous. The weather seems to be getting a bit better, but I think the snow is moving towards Wausau. She very well may still make it, but we'll see.
By the way, we also got a robocall from Obama (his voice reminding us to vote for him tomorrow), plus a couple robocalls from the McCain campaign (odd, since our family is definitely NOT Republican).
UPDATE: 3:13 CST
Just got the word that the Clinton campaign has canceled any possible appearance in Eau Claire. Airport weather seemed to be the reason.