Hillary bailing on Wisconsin

What was her attack about not wanting to answer questions in Wisconsin?  Well, if they want to ask her a question, they better hurry up:

Clinton scales back campaign schedule here

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton has scaled back her Wisconsin campaign schedule by a full day, and is now planning to leave the state after Monday morning instead of Tuesday morning.

The move suggests the campaign does not think it can overtake rival Barack Obama here. Obama has already campaigned in the state Tuesday night, Wednesday, Friday, and today. He also has single events planned for Sunday (Kaukauna) and Monday (Beloit).

Obama and his supporters shouldn't pull back their efforts since the polls are still close.  But they should let everyone in Wisconsin know that Hillary is bailing on the state.  Maybe it's just not "significant" enough?

•  Work hard anyway

  Turn that small lead into a blowout

  by grasstank on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:16:06 AM PDT

  •  Obama should Taunt Hill

    Hey hill, still want that debate? How about we do FIVE of them until WI polling day?

    And you'll be stuck in WI while your Texas poll is sinking.

    Obama next TV ad. should be aired to giver her debate answer and create scheduling conflict by answering her debate challange right when she is down in Texas. (She is down there now right?)

    OMG, Hill is falling apart.

    by opedn on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:52:28 AM PDT

  •  All the more reason to bust our ass...

    ...run up those margins so we can offset the Ohio losses.

    by MNPundit on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:59:16 AM PDT

    •  eh...I'm shooting for a win in OH...

      I figure we ought to be able to tie.

      by Elise on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:50:51 PM PDT

•  Wrong demographics for HRC

  She does poorly among what her supporters call the wine and cheese set. And Wisconsin is famous for the latter.

  by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:16:19 AM PDT

  •  So that's why Vermont is supposed to favor Barack

    Thanks for clearing that up.

    by DemocraticLuntz on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:18:26 AM PDT

    •  Dairy states don't count... n/t

      by aisling on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:20:50 AM PDT

      •  Her campaign is lactose intolerant. n/t

        by MadAsHellMaddie on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:22:12 AM PDT

        •  Hey!

          So am I.

          I am still voting for Obama, though.

          by markhaverty on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:47:28 AM PDT

        •  And I am lachrymose intolerant. n/t

          by crankyinNYC on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:55:21 AM PDT

        •  BCOTD

          Best comment of the day! Thank you for the laugh.

          by speck tater on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:17:02 PM PDT

      •  Except California. We get to count no matter what

        I guess.

        by Nick Blas on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:25:46 PM PDT

    •  Here's why we favor Obama

      and believe me, it's not mere conjecture:  Vermont is the most anti-war state in the country, and we still have the highest per capita loss of soldiers in that hell hole.  Very few people don't know a family who hasn't lost someone over there- if only to say hello to in the post office.  In my small area, 3 soldiers have died in Iraq.  So it's still something that's very much on folks' minds.  But that's not the only reason.  There's history.  In 1988 Vermont went for Jackson in the primary and in 1992 we gave Bill Clinton a miserable 17% of the vote and went for Jerry Brown.  Lastly, Obama has raised more per capita here than any other state- over $400,000.  Hillary has raised $47,000.  Oh, and Pat Leahy and Peter Welch have endorsed him.  My guess is that Obama beats Clinton by over 20 pts in this inconsequential little backwater of a state.

      by ClaryinVT on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:56:20 AM PDT

      •  We love you Vermont!

        From the unimportant state of Wisconsin.  Maybe it's because we absorbed a lot of Vermonters back in the 1800s.  We have a Burlington here.  And a Vermont township.

        Maybe it's the sisterhood/brotherhood of maple syrup and dairy.

        Anyway, we'll try to set the stage for you.  Inconsequential states rule!

        by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:04:01 PM PDT

        •  Love you right back, Wisconsin

          and forget about setting the stage for us- set that stage for TX and OH.  We're depending on you.  

          by ClaryinVT on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:34:44 PM PDT

      •  Is Bernie a super-D? eom

        by christomento on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:23:31 PM PDT

        •  Alas, I don't believe he is

          Didn't see him on the list at DemCon.  It's a little odd to me that he isn't and Lieberman was until he pissed it away by endorsing McCainiac.  Bernie was endorsed by both the VT State dem party and the national party and of course he caucuses with the dems, but he's not on the list of VT SDs.

          by ClaryinVT on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:32:36 PM PDT

      •  Has Bernie Sanders endorsed anyone?

        Or does he stay out of it because he's technically not a Democrat?

        by metal prophet on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:23:40 PM PDT

        •  He hasn't

          and he's not a Super Delegate, but it's fairly well known that he favors Obama.

          by ClaryinVT on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:26:53 PM PDT

  •  yes but she is forgetting the beer factor

    Wisconsin has more taverns per capita than any other state.  I though only her supporters drank beer!!  She should have been throwing back a few there months ago and playing darts for crapssake!

    by MadAsHellMaddie on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:21:33 AM PDT

    •  Here's one beer-drinking....

      ....lactose intolerant beer drinking Obama supporter checking in!

      by metal prophet on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:24:57 PM PDT

      •  LOL!!!

        Cheese loving beer drinker for Obama here!

        by MadAsHellMaddie on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:52:59 PM PDT

  •  They do wine in Wisconsin too

    in addition to their award winning cheese.

    by Dr Colossus on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:30:24 AM PDT

    •  Well, they do

      but you don't want to drink it...

      Got some damn decent beer, though -- Riverwest, New Glarus, Capitol Brewery...

      by litho on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:38:27 AM PDT

      •  New Glarus Wisconsin Red

        My wife had it on draft at a beer festival, and she pronounced it the best beer she's ever tasted. It's high up on my Top 10 as well.

        by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:40:41 AM PDT

        •  It's pretty special

          Overall, New Glarus bows down to Bells as my favorite midwestern brewer, but the Belgian Red with it's intense cherry flavor is pretty amazing. Some of their "Unplugged" series beers are even better.

          by pHunbalanced on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:20:01 PM PDT

          •  Snobs

            Ya left out Point and Leinie's.

            by orrg1 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:29:33 PM PDT

            •  Huber!!!

              best beer on a per dollar/per bottle basis

              by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:34:17 PM PDT

              •  Huber is truly a bargain

                The quality is similar to some of the lower end micros while the price is less than premium macros. Huber has always been my "broke days" beer of choice, moreso even than Pabst.

                by pHunbalanced on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:40:36 PM PDT

                •  I was shocked by the quality:price ratio of Huber

                  when I was working in Green Bay a couple years ago.

                  I was getting twelve packs for what a six-pack of Sam Adams would cost here in MA, and the Huber is actually a better beer.

                  by litho on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:43:50 PM PDT

                •  I am so there with you

                  Huber got me through many a cold, impoverished winter weekend in my UW days....

                  by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:44:25 PM PDT

                  •  Got fond memories of Point and

                    Berghof's, too.

                    Though pitchers on the terrace -- or in the Rat when it was too cold -- accompanied by those pretzel sticks have an awful lot to recommend...

                    by litho on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:49:09 PM PDT

          •  Try these!!!

            Lake Louis

            Capitol Amber   MMMMMMMM

            Furthermore Beer (endorsed by The Onion!)

            by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:33:17 PM PDT

            •  I've been a Capitol fan forever

              Their series of bock beers is superb, as well as the amber. Furthermore products haven't grabbed me quite as much. Lake Louis isn't distributed in the eastern part fo the state, but I've watched for it with no luck when I've been in Madison. It's gotten pretty high accolades form some beer fantics I trust.

              by pHunbalanced on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:38:14 PM PDT

          •  Wow. Really??

            I'll have to check this out...

            by Elise on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:54:25 PM PDT

      •  Hey now wait a minute!

        Head to the Wollersheim Winery north of Madison.  They produce some darn good, award-winning bottles.  Try the Prairie Fume'.  An excellent white, just on the sweet side, very refreshing....

        by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:50:39 AM PDT

        •  Ten years ago people were saying the same shit

          about Australian wines.  
          GO-BAMA!

          by ruleoflaw on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:16:07 PM PDT

          •  When I think of Wisconsin wines

            this is what comes to mind.

            I'm sorry, but any place with a real winter can't produce good wines.  This place, however, produces excellent stuff.  Climate, soil, rainfall, is all perfect.  Can't be beat...

            by litho on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:47:29 PM PDT

  •  Yup...

    too much cheese in Wisconsin to matter much.  Same with Vermont.  Something about cheddar renders the two states inconsequential.  Maybe its the bacteria...who, of course, don't really have a vote but may be a factor.

    Still!!!  Blow this fu#$er out!!!  The superdelegates are watching this very carefully.

    by mayan on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:40:29 AM PDT

  •  mmm cheese

    I love wine... and cheese... THAT must be the reason I voted for the other guy... duh...

    Making fun of people eating cheese is not the best way to win over working class folks in Wisconsin by the way.

    by Nathan in MN on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:45:45 AM PDT

  •  Hello

    It's beer and cheese. Maybe brandy and cheese. We are into whining.

    by hof1991 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:07:18 PM PDT

•  She may get stuck here!

  Depending on when and where the forecast winter strom comes through!

  by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:17:10 AM PDT

  •  How ironic.

    by Mae on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:18:26 AM PDT

  •  Is it wrong of me to wish for this?

    Yes. Hangs head. Crosses fingers.

    by cultural worker on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:19:53 AM PDT

    •  Then I am wrong as well

      it's fun being bad.

      by chicago minx on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:50:24 AM PDT

    •  Yes

      Save it for McInsane.  We have a long, long campaign ahead of us, no matter which Dem gets the nomination.

      by loudGizmo on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:53:01 AM PDT

      •  Right you are--

        Although I've got plenty left  for the GE.

        It's wrong because I don't wish for weather to inconvenience anyone--candidates, voters, other citizens and humans.

        But still tempting!

        by cultural worker on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:41:39 PM PDT

  •  The winter Strom?

    I thought he wintered further south before he passed on...

    by mistersite on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:48:33 AM PDT

    •  Okay, I wasn't going to fix that...

      But I should have known better.  Nothing escapes the eagle eyes of Kossacks, and no bad typo goes unsnarked (especially if it involves centenarian Southern Senators).

      by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:53:27 AM PDT

  •  Cruel schedule

    Whoever design this primary is a complete sadist.
    heh.

    Winter storm in wisconsin, then the next day the candidate has to be in Texas heat wave. 40 degrees temperature difference!... Even the best athletes will stop and think

    by opedn on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:57:04 AM PDT

•  Ha ha!

  Looks like all those bullshit attack ads haven't worked.  Mark Penn couldn't strategize his way out of a paper bag.  

  by Man in Black on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:18:44 AM PDT

  •  .::: Dead :::.

    Mark Penn couldn't strategize his way out of a paper bag.

    by The British Observer on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:23:00 AM PDT

  •  That would have to be...

    ...one friggin' big bag to fit Mark Penn inside of it...

    by Aqualad08 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:27:07 AM PDT

    •  From the looks of him, that boy needs a shower,

      a haircut, and some quality time on a treamill.  

      by Man in Black on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:34:04 AM PDT

      •  "Tredmill," not "treamill." Doh!

        by Man in Black on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:34:32 AM PDT

        •  Treadmill, yes?

          You were half right each time.

          by Design the Future on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:49:20 PM PDT

•  HRC Does Poorly Among Registered Voters

  There are simply too many of those in Wisconsin.  And they just don't matter.

  by bincbom on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:24:27 AM PDT

  •  you win

    best. line. of. primary.

    by JMS on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:57:23 AM PDT

  •  Not after she whines pathetically on TV

    That attack ad was just pathetic.

    by opedn on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:58:17 AM PDT

•  Nice of her to lob "he won't debate" bombs

  From 1000 miles away, come in for a couple of days, then leave. Does she really think that WI voters will fall for this?

  by turneresq on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:24:33 AM PDT

  •  Desperation

    by chicago minx on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:53:15 AM PDT

  •  Yes.

    She must assume the voters in states that don't matter are gullible. Not the first time she's been wrong.

    by Nick Blas on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:31:40 PM PDT

•  and Obama is leaving state as well

  since he has an event in Youngstown Monday afternoon where the doors open at noon.

  by teacherken on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:25:03 AM PDT

  •  One event in WI on Monday though (Beloit). n/t

    by chicago DEM on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:27:26 AM PDT

  •  Yeah but

    Obama's been there all week. I think Wisconsin knows he cares. :)

    by jenontheshore on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:28:24 AM PDT

    •  He's practically camping out

      Honestly, it's like every time I turn around, there he is. Three -- THREE -- events within a 45-mile radius within 48 hours.

      by wilco920 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:15:41 PM PDT

      •  It's thick with them Obama rallies around here

        Invitations are chocking my email. I exaggerate, but only by a bit.

        by pHunbalanced on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:22:49 PM PDT

        •  Heh

          I had literally just gotten home from the Green Bay rally last night when word came that he's holding a town hall tomorrow 3 miles down the road from me. Is this a mild taste of how New Hampshire feels, I wonder?

          by wilco920 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:26:39 PM PDT

          •  I'm glad we didn't go to superduperpooperTuesday

            We would have been lost in the mix and probably been a better target for HRC. Now with all these rallies nad town hall meetings, Obama has a big advantage.

            by pHunbalanced on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:34:14 PM PDT

        •  He's a hot ticket

          Not enough Obama to go around, so he's got to saturate the area.

          by metal prophet on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:26:37 PM PDT

  •  Obama does have an event in Wisc on Monday also

    the only day he had no events was on Thursday when he took a well deserved day off.

    by nevadadem on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:29:37 AM PDT

    •  Valentine's Day to be with his girls.

      I think this says a lot about the man.

      by speck tater on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:20:29 PM PDT

  •  The exception

    The staffer at the campaign office in Madison last night said that Ohio event was the only one scheduled outside WI until after the primary.

    by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:32:44 AM PDT

•  Hmmn.

  So let's see..

  Obama went to Wisconsin to ask the people directly for their vote. He made a major policy speech, held several town halls and rallies, interviewed with all the newspaper editorial boards, and basically hung out there all week.

  Hillary...went to Texas. Then wasted her dwindling funds on weak attack ads about debates. And now she's only going to campaign there for two days.

  I can definitely see how Wisconsin will be mighty insignificant come Tuesday.

  by jenontheshore on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:25:47 AM PDT

•  Great news, but much more work to be done.

  I'm starting to feel that a mere win here isn't enough. We really need another blowout. Work, donate, GOTV.

  by chicago DEM on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:26:08 AM PDT

•  some bad internal polling I guess

  plus they know that because of same day registration and indie voters being allowed the polls are likely way off. Obama won much bigger in Virginia becuase of indioes than he did in Maryland despite the fact that the latter had more favorable demographics.

  by nevadadem on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:27:04 AM PDT

  •  I never thought she would win WI

    even when polls showed she was ahead.  It just seemed tailor made for Obama.

    by chicago minx on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:51:43 AM PDT

    •  Exactly. It made sense for her to abandon WI.

      by askew on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:17:16 PM PDT

  •  They can even afford...

    ....all that internal polling?

    I figure it's either that or it's a move to try to manage expectations.

    by metal prophet on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:27:47 PM PDT

•  This just does not make any sense...

  it's not as if she's twenty points behind in the polls as she was in Virginia/Maryland. She's already launched attack ads so she can't make the claim that she didn't try. I've always respected Senator Clinton's political savvy but she been making some odd choices lately, to say the least.

  by ahania on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:28:25 AM PDT

  •  the reason is she want's it to seem

    she's not really playing for the state. I think they think polls in a state with indies and same day registration are severly undercounting Obama's support.
    Plus unlike Ohio and New hampshire the state party is for Obama.

    by nevadadem on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:33:34 AM PDT

    •  Very true...

      and why the SEIU and UFCW endorsements were so important - they'll allow us to mirror the state machine (or its elements that back Clinton) in Ohio.

      by dmsdbo on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:35:22 AM PDT

    •  Yeah, I suppose that's true.

      I'm disappointed in her though. She says she's a fighter but she's ceding all this ground to him Stand and fight if you're a fighter.

      Maybe it is just a ploy to lower expectations.

      by ahania on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:36:05 AM PDT

  •  It's weird to me too

    Is her strategy now to purposely ignore states she'll probably lose so she can use the "I didn't try so it shouldn't matter" excuse?

    Or is she resigned to ending up with fewer pledged delegates and therefore doesn't care about the margin of the loss - focusing instead on barely winning the "significant" states so she can play it up in the media?

    Either way, it's pretty weak on her part.  And by her, I really mean her strategists - Mark Penn, et al.  

    by daemonw on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:33:36 AM PDT

•  Honestly, I still

  think it is a ploy by HRC to lower expectations. I was concerned when I saw that Obama was leaving on Monday and am glad that he has an event that day in Beloit. Wisconsin voters are like everyone else..they make up their minds late. I wish he would hang out til Tuesday afternoon. Wisconsin has me spooked. i fear a HRC upset win. It is her demographic. And so many female voters.
  But, I do trust the Obama campaign knows what they are doing. So far,so good.

  by Hawkjt on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:29:41 AM PDT

  •  "And so many female voters."

    He's been winning or getting very close in that demographic lately. I'm not so sure it's an edge she can rely on anymore.

    by chicago DEM on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:33:29 AM PDT

  •  hawk I don't want to raise expectations

    but I really beleive they think they can't win the state. They have to know this will be seen as an insult to some voters and will get played up in the state media. They feel another Virginia coming and want it to seem expected.

    by nevadadem on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:35:37 AM PDT

  •  It is...

    But mostly because she probably expects to lose and wants to maintain the meme of "well of course I did! We all knew that! On to OH/TX!"

    by dmsdbo on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:36:06 AM PDT

•  Eh Wisconsin doesn't matter.

  Wait a minute, it's a primary in a state without black people?  How can this be???

  Oh yeah, lots of students and young new voters.  They sure as hell don't count.

  by SouthSideDem on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:32:06 AM PDT

  •  There are many black people in Milwaukee

    and the other urban centers.

    But O doesn't need black voters to win (see Maine).

    by chicago DEM on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:34:25 AM PDT

    •  Or Idaho

      Or Utah. Or Alaska. Or North Dakota. Or Iowa.

      by metal prophet on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:30:03 PM PDT

      •  None of which matter. nt

        by Elise on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 03:00:10 PM PDT

        •  Of course not

          Even though they have about ten African-Americans between them.

          by metal prophet on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 03:13:38 PM PDT

  •  It's an open primary.

    by DemocraticLuntz on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:37:10 AM PDT

    •  God

      It REALLY doesn't count then.

      Shit man, we've got a lot of deadweight in this union.

      by SouthSideDem on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:38:53 AM PDT

•  Also the weather will disturb...

  what campaigning she does do as in the same link:

  Today is Clinton's first day of campaigning in the state, with an event in Kenosha and a state party dinner in Milwaukee, where Obama also will appear. Clinton will campaign Sunday in De Pere, Wausau and Madison, and is expected to do one event in the state Monday morning before leaving.

  I'm in madison, and we're supposed to get 12 inches in Madison.  Milwaukee is supposed to get 4 inches since they are on the rain snow line, most will be ice.  Don't think the turnout will be good.  She missed Eau Claire which was a big mistake.  Clinton loses Wisconsin.

  by petercjack on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:34:45 AM PDT

  •  Oops,

    snow is bad for firewalls - remember Maine!

    by Allogenes on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:43:40 AM PDT

  •  The Clintons will blame the weather, too

    Bad weather hurts HRC: Obama voters will be taken to the polls in limousines. Some will even have concierges who will arrange for them to cast ballots in the privacy of their own mansions.

    by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:45:24 AM PDT

    •  I'm Glad I Sent Up Those Crates of Champagne

      I wouldn't want Obama supporters in WI to get thirsty.

      by Empower Ink on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:43:23 PM PDT

  •  Snow makes old ladies stay home!

    w00t!

    by slaney black on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:58:10 AM PDT

    •  Way to root against democracy nt.

      by jkennerl on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:52:37 PM PDT

      •  I'm not sure if a vastly disprportionate 65+ vote

        is exactly democratic either.

        by slaney black on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 01:42:07 PM PDT

•  Phonebank all weekend and run up the score!

  I want Wisconsin to beat Minnesota's %66 to %32.  If you don't it means that the Vikings are better than the Packers.

  by Dr Colossus on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:35:14 AM PDT

  •  Agree - run up the score!

    Get on the phones1

    by dmsdbo on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:36:47 AM PDT

    •  Yeah, let's make it a blowout.

      by chicago minx on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:52:24 AM PDT

•  Well, there go THOSE donors!

  This is all just conjecture, but it's from experienced campaign people and it sounds plausible.

  Supposedly, there's this group of bundlers (people who collect smaller donations into a bundle, and represent the wishes of the donors). Hillary is asking these bundlers for more money, because she needs it in Texas and Ohio. The bundlers say no, wait. Here's a portion. Use it in Wisconsin. If you can stop Obama's momentum there by winning, then we'll give you more for Texas and Ohio. Don't win there? No more money from these particular donors.

  Like I said, may be true or not. Sounds like the way things work.

  by Fishgrease on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:35:24 AM PDT

•  Lowering expectations

  Just like in NH, she believes she has a big built in advantage with demographics.  They are great believers in demographics.  So the textbook says you make it look like you're giving up.  She did the pathetic act in New Hampshire beautifully if you'll remember.  The coverage beforehand almost had me feeling sorry for her.  It turned a slim win in a state where she had huge advantages into an 'upset' victory that saved her campaign at that point.  Different expectations in NH and the same result (delegate tie) would have been pretty bad for her.

  So now, if she pulls out even the slimmest margins in Wisconsin it's going to be reported as a huge surprise in spite of the close polls now.  It will be used to make Obama look weak in spite of his eight consecutive blowouts.  

  Don't buy it.  They are NOT giving up on Wisconsin.  

  by Sun dog on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:40:49 AM PDT

  •  They didn't give up in New Hampshire at all

    They campaigned like mad, in ways that were more effective than anyone recognized at the time.  Very different vibe.

    The local press is going to excoriate the Clintons for this.  It's possible that it's staged and that she'll heroically extend her schedule until Tuesday at the last minute.  But if she really does leave the state on Monday morning, that's going to lead every 6 PM newscast on election eve, and that costs you votes.

    by poblano on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:04:53 PM PDT

•  You are absolutely wrong

  Clinton is just so confident she can win the state with only two and a half days of campaigning.  Jeez.  Read between the lines man.  

  (/snark)

  by JeremiahTheMessiah on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:45:05 AM PDT

•  The latest weather forecast: nastiness ahead!

  Here we go again, fellow Badgers.  Here's the current forecast for south-central Wisconsin from WKOW Weather Central in Madison (the national HQ of Weather Central):

  A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for our entire viewing area beginning late tonight and ending Sunday evening.

  Today is the best day of the weekend to run errands, travel or just get outside. Skies will be mostly sunny and temperatures won`t be as cold. But everything will change tonight. A mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet will move in after midnight tonight and will change over to snow tomorrow morning. Snow will continue throughout the day and will be heavy at times. We could see 1/10" of ice and 7-10" inches of snow, with some locations getting as much as 14". Travel is strongly discouraged on Sunday.

  Foercast temps on Tuesday:  high 14, low 2.

  Don't know how it will be around the rest of the state. My sense is that this favors Obama.  First, I know after visiting the Obama campaign office yesterday that they'll be hitting the phones hard during the storm.  I've volunteered myself then.  On Tuesday, this will likely help Obama as well.  It favors younger and more strongly committed and motivated voters... and I'd have to say those are breaking for Obama! And, fair or not, in bad weather it's easier to vote in the cities, and Obama will probably benefit from that.

  My most important conclusion:  I wish I were voting in the Hawaii primary instead....

  by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:47:56 AM PDT

  •  By Tuesday?

    I bet you Wisconsin folks won't let snow keep you from the polls! All those 4 wheel drives and snow mobiles? ;)

    Disclosure..I am a FIB from Rockford but 99% of my family is still living in the Monroe/Janesville area. :)

    by rian90 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:03:45 PM PDT

    •  Hello FIB

      As I have said in earlier diaries, Senator Obama has a unique ability to overcome deep-seated divisions in our land.  He will help us heal the divisions between red and blue, old and young, conservative and liberal, back and white, rural and urban... cheesehead and FIB.  If he cannot help us to overcome this cultural chasm, no one can.

      He could start by lowering the tolls on the darn tollway.  Or maybe just get the tollbooths to accept cheese curds.

      by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:09:23 PM PDT

      •  Yummm, Cheese curds!!!

        I currently live in Florida but was born and raised in Rockford. I am proud of my FIBness. :)

        I absolutely agree with you about Obama. Even my mom,from Browtown, Wisconsin (now living in Florida) who leans republican and has voted for GW Bush is likes Obama. I just hope he wins so she can vote for him!

        Most of my family members belong to the United Church of Christ church, which is big in southern Wisconsin...and the same denomination as Obama. I imagine he has a lot of supporters among them.

        by rian90 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:13:58 PM PDT

        •  Trade you...

          Cheese curds (from family scale farms and small cheesemakers of course) for O.J.

          You're right on -- the UCCers are almost Unitarians from what I can tell, and maybe help to account for the open-minded and independent voting pattern in southern and SW Wisconsin.

          I hope you Floridians do get a fully authorized and official chance to vote in an authentic primary!

          by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:22:08 PM PDT

          •  Its okay if we don't...

            We accepted it long time ago. :) It is a myth that Floridians feel disenfranchised..at least most of us. We would be more angry if our votes were used to put someone over the top after the lack of a real campaign here.

            I just happen to be a Unitarian, by the way.

            My great-grandparents settled in the Monroe area from Switzerland. They were cheese makers and I still have cheesemakers left in my family.

            Yes, the OJ, oranges and strawberries are awesome in Florida! But the cheese..not so good. :)

            by rian90 on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:41:54 PM PDT

            •  To all you non-Badgers

              rian90 has it right!  Monroe, Wisconsin must be the only town in the world whose high school teams are... The Cheesemakers!  I've always loved that.

              Now you have me hungry.  I have a big hunk of aged cheddar in the fridge calling my name.

              And let's hope that somehow you all have another opportunity to have your votes fully expressed and represented during primary season.

              by strobusguy on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 12:51:51 PM PDT

•  After a short visit to Wisconsin...

  ...Hillary Clinton and Mark Penn concluded upon closer examination that the state is not, as previously believed, significant.

  by Elrod on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:48:55 AM PDT

•  I wonder

  I wonder if the reason she's been angling for a debate doesn't simply come down to money. It costs money to make all these appearances that Obama is making, money Clinton doesn't have. A debate would have been the one way for her get her views across to people who are probably only now paying attention, despite the 18 other debates, without it killing her financially. There has, I think, only been one debate that was only the two of them (not counting the ones with Edwards in which he was virtually ignored).

  I also wonder about the issue of the debates being on cable, instead of a broadcast station. At least three of my neighbors (all Democrats), and probably considerably more, don't have cable. Watching the debates has generally not been an option for them. Seems to me one of the points of PBS at the local level is to provide a venue for EVERYONE to be informed. Bear in mind, the vast majority of people with upcoming primaries/caucuses are unaccustomed to their votes being of any relevance to the nomination. A pretty good reason to not have bothered to scope out the positions of the candidates several months ago or gotten lost in the minutia of debates among 5+ candidates, assuming that had the cable/satellite to do so.

  by NotInMyName on Sat Feb 16, 2008 at 11:52:09 AM PDT

  •  Underdogs