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In a sign of just how much effort Barack Obama is putting into the Wisconsin primary, he’s vastly outspending Hillary Clinton on ads for the Madison and Milwaukee media markets, which make up the two biggest Democratic strongholds in the state. All in all, Obama has spent $831,880 on TV ads for those two media markets, compared to Hillary’s $180,990 — a 4-1 margin on the spending.
As for the polls, most do show Obama up by 4 or 5 points, within the margin of error. The only exception is the latest ARG poll, which shows Clinton up by 6. Good news for Clinton, right? Maybe not. ARG has often released outlier polls that have favored Clinton. In fact, Survey USA’s pollster report card shows ARG with a mean error of almost 8%. Not to mention that this result represents a net gain for Obama of 3% since a poll taken 9 days before. But still, the fact that Clinton is remaining in Wisconsin all day on Monday rather than heading out of the state as Obama is doing does seem to indicate, as we posited yesterday, that she knows something we don’t know. What exactly that is, however, is anyone’s guess.
Obama’s up with the week’s fourth debate-themed ad in Wisconsin, in which the narrator hits "Hillary" (no "Sen. Clinton" here) for playing the "same old politics" and defends Obama’s policy platform.
The four ads sure suggest the issue is getting some traction.
Axelrood and Wolfson were sparring about this on Face the Nation this morning, so Ben Smith may be right.
Update: Obama met with John Edwards in North Carolina today.
Update II: Obama will be campaigning in Ohio on Monday but return to Wisconsin that night for a rally on the eve of the primary.
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Jane!
Ned since the other’s dead
and Jane!
Zed?
Hi, Jane!
What’s up in Wisconsin is, among other things, weather. We are having freezing rain, snow, flooding, streets and highways that resemble skating rinks, and the cancellation of practically everything except breathing. No serious break in the meteorological situation is expected in the forseeable future. I expect this will influence voter turn-out on Tuesday. If limited turn-out is thought to favor one candidate over the other, it could influence their decisions about going and coming.
The problem with Sen. Clinton is two fold. Hillary and Bill.
I know all the progressives around Madison are going for Obama, as well as all the cross over Obamacans. I don’t know about the working class people. I think old line dems are getting turned off by the feel good rhetoric.
The experience thing is not working. And I do not want a co-presidency. I do not like the DLC and I do not like the Iraq War or those that voted for it. HRC. Get it?
That does favor Obama (at least by conventional wisdom) — his activist supporters will turn out in the middle of a blizzard, whereas Clinton’s older women and working class base are less likely to brave the elements. Part of the same dynamic that makes him do well in caucuses.
You know, Wisconsin will only matter if Hillary wins.
The home of Robert La Follette and Tail Gunner Joe!
And now Clinton is representing herself as an agent of change.
Anybody read the comments on the Obama Edwards ABC article? There’s some screwed up people on there.
This is good news for Republicans, and John McCain particularly.
I hope people are not swayed by that stupid “He won’t debate” Clinton ad. What a thoroughly irrelevant and useless topic!
Simply put. I’m tired of the Clintons.
don’t forget about joseph mccarthy.
That is Tail Gunner Joe
sorry…mccarthy is tail gunner
My grandfather liked to tell me how he died of a broken heart!
Just got back from the Founders’ Day Dinner. My wife shook both their hands. The crowd was enormous. Lots of ways to measure who the majority of the support was for, anyway you cut it, Obama won the night.
Pics posted on Facebook for those interested in looking.
The story of how we actually got in is something else, but I don’t have time right now to type it all in.
The weather, yeah, it’s something else! We drove through two hours of rain, then an hour+ of sleet and two more hours of snow during what normally is a three hour trip. Looks like we have over 6″ of snow on the ground here already, with no end in sight.
What part of the state are you from Arcadesproject?
Nice pics.
*Won’t Sen. Obama just hypnotize his followers to show up in the rain, snow or sleet?
-G
*Snark
P.S. The turning point that got me off of the Sen. Clinton bandwagon was when Bill promised to tour the world with George H.W. Bush. Sen. Obama may talk about reaching out to Republicans but Bill was talking about reach-arounds with Bush’s.
Game, set, match.
Thanks, I’m putting the videos up now.
I recorded all of Russ’ speech.
I was within 10′ of Kohl the entire night, and wanted to kick his ass about his FISA vote. My wife wouldn’t let me.
i am debated out – i think most of us pretty much know where all the candidates stand…. enough already
Word! Not pleased about either of them. Exhausted thinking about it.
My son (and recently graduated R.N.) lives & works in Wausau, WI and an avid Obama supporter & campaign volunteer. His enthusiasm and commitment to Obama reminds me of my passion for JFK and early support for Hillary. Am just sayin’ Obama deserves credit for igniting a movement that far surpasses anything I have witnessed in my long life as an engaged Democratic activist.
The lit piece that Clinton had in our mailbox today was pretty powerful imagery. “Barack Obama, Which one of these people don’t deserve health care?”
Quotes Krugman on the back, fwiw.
What you are telling us; I think I am in accord with. ;0)
wonderful pics, noonan. I’ll have my college-age daughter look at them, she’s been an Obama supporter since he declared his candidacy.
After Edwards dropped out, i slowly drifted to the Obama side of the line, in large part because of the enthusiasm my daughters and their friends show, they have gotten involved with a vengeance and are volunteering not just for Obama but for other candidates. I like a candidate who can inspire people to work for a better world for all.
Fidel Castro analyze’s McCain proposals:
Havana, Feb 12 (Prensa Latina) Cuban President Fidel Castro stated that proposals by US republican candidate for the presidency John McCain sound like the dreams of a castaway in the middle of a storm.
plenglish link
And, at least today, Chelsea:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…../99/458562
I don’t know about the rest of you but I KNEW we shouldn’t invade Iraq because the evidence wasn’t there. And I was marching with other anti-war people before the invasion. There were lots of us who thought this was a very bad idea – and immoral. The evidence wasclear.
It sure wasn’t. Completely clear, IMNSHO, and even more so when you remembered (or found out about) VIetnam. No need for an NIE…
Funny (well not) how much of this administration’s failings has been framed around the image/presence of trailers (the so-called chemical bomb mobile units in Iraq, the formaldahyde (sp) ones of Katrina fame, and the number of houses (mobile homes and others) lost in the current mortgage mess.
Did anyone catch WI Gov Doyle on the talking heads talking about Obama? There was talk going around the floor of the big shindig last night that he really made an a$$ of himself.
Here are my pics on Photobucket. Still can’t find a way to put my video of Russ’ speech online, it’s over Photobucket’s size limit and keeps getting rejected by Facebook.
Hi All….
A real Cheesehead here…..most of the people I’m talking to in this central part of the State have the “Obama fever” as they like to call it. It’s hard to find a Clinton supporter in this neck of the woods..(literally) Unfortunately, we’re up to our collective asses in snow today so the rallys will have less attendance than otherwise expected…hizzhoner
Kiddo, I read a really sobering blog on why NOT to vote for Hill and Bill. Now, a disclaimer should be made that it’s by someone who is supporting that Paul guy for president, but what is written in the blog is cold, hard facts.
Not that you need any encouragement. :D
http://www.henwhisperer.blogspot.com/…..inton.html
Yeah, I tried to make the case that the evidence wasn’t there, and that Bush was an oil man. People looked at me like I was unpatriotic.
The emotions were too high (due to 9/11), I think, for a lot of people to think straight. At least, I would hope that people, if not under such stress, would have seen through the bluster.
In part this was do to the multi-color coded flashing news channel press to action in war, war, war, by promoting fear, fear fear at the time (Fox, CNN, NBC – the lot of them).
bmaz posted this Fiore masterpiece at ew, it’s priceless…
‘The Spies Who Love You’
http://www.markfiore.com/node/958
Yes, Yes, Yes. I have a BA in communications and knew about the use of the media to “sell” World War II.
It was apparent to me that they were using persuasive techniques of values and beliefs. But people couldn’t see through that because they wanted someone to pay for 9/11.
And Bush’s Administration cleverly associated Iraq with 9/11, when there was no connection.
Nice Pictures…..
Sorry I missed the shindig…thanks for posting…
Are you from The Peoples Republic of Madison?
Speaking only for myself of course, being against attacking Iraq was a no thunker. As to Chelsea, perhaps her mother, if nominated and elected could appoint her daughter Secretary of State or Defense. Or something. ;0)
Hardly! We live north of Green Bay, in the 10-12″ band of snowfall zone. Our area is “reddish-purple” but changing fast as Obama gains traction.
If you want to know more about where I live, you can follow the link in my name and see my ActBlue page. :)
GregB@25…”reacharound”…
There’s a coffeespew…:o)
Actually, if you’re an Obama supporter like me, I think we’ve got two very important tasks: keeping Hillary out of top spot on the ticket, and keeping her out of the second spot, too.
This election, I don’t want voters even THINKING the word Clinton, when they get up to the touchscreen; much less, seeing it. It will cost us votes.
The crazy thing is Any democrat nominee will be the agent of change. If that is BO’s only claim to fame, in addition to his oratory and adacity of hope promises, I pick Hillary. BTW, what on earth was wrong with the political accomplishments in the 90s under Bill Clinton. People forget and get taken into this vast “fairytale” that Obama can do all things and be all things. I know your posts are totally for Obama and and against Hillary — but give her a break with all your negativity.
Many people here may be well aware of the differences between Senator Clinton and Barack Obama regarding foreign policy, but I found this article clarifying those differences by examining and contrasting the advisors of the two campaigns. Here’s an example that isn’t mentioned as much as their respective positions on Iraq:
“While Obama advisors Susan Rice and Samantha Power have stressed the importance of U.S. multilateral engagement, [former Secretary of State Madeleine] Albright allies herself with the jingoism of the Bush administration, taking the attitude that “If we have to use force, it is because we are America! We are the indispensable nation. We stand tall, and we see further into the future.”
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4940
Troubling though is retired General McPeak, who backed Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor, and Dennis Ross, on Obama’s side.
boobiecheck, thanks for posting the link. I just read it…chilling.
Richmond, that Kos link was worthless. I see a lot of straw man arguments coming from Obama supporters usually based on claims that Hillary says this or demands that. First, I haven’t seen where the Clinton campaign has insisted that Chelsea can’t be criticized. So posting a poll and a diary about it is just silly. I also note that the diarist quotes Chelsea responding to someone who ”asked about her mother’s vote on Iraq.” Then read the link, and you’ll see the student was actually asking was “Has your mother shown any remorse for the fact that her vote cost Iraqis a million of their lives?” Hardly as simple as ”asking her about her vote.” It was clearly a hostile and provocative comment, and extrapolating Chelsea’s response as a comment directed at anyone who was against the war is intellectually dishonest. What a waste of time.
I don’t get it. What does ANYONE know about Obama??? In my opinion, be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Before anyone jumps on his bandwagon, ask yourself IF he offers solutions for your particular situation. Jobs? No one has created more jobs more than Bill Clinton, and Hillary has promised the same. College money? Child care help? Perscriptions? NAFTA? She SAID it needs a major overhaul. The war? She said she will bring the troops home, in a timely manner, so as not to leave Iraq in caos. This is COMMON SENSE!
Point to Ponder: A few years ago, on C-SPAN, it was stated, 80% on all the networks are owned by a Republican. THINK NOW! If you were a CEO of one of those networks, WHO WOULD YOU PROMOTE of your opponent’s party when you air the news, the weakest? Or the strongest? Answer this: How many KNOWN Democrats report the news? If you were the CEO of one on those networks, you promote the weakest, because next summer, when the dirty ads come out, the Republicans are going to come out with both “barrels”!
If you think the sparring between Obama and Hillary, has been terrible, hold on to your boots, the mud is going to get very deep!
Anyone who supports Obama, better start demanding the real story of his past. No one is lily-white, neither is Obama.
One of my fears, is he will create ANOTHER war,,,, if Africa! WHAT IS HIS STANDS N ALL THE ISSUES, NOT JUST THE ISSUES YOU HEAR ON CNN!
We are heading for some critical times, and I, personally, want (need) a veteran at the political scene. And Hillary has Bill. We need all the hands on we can muster, ASAP!
Karleen