Earlier in the cycle the Republicans had high hopes for Wisconsin. It appears to be one of the only states where Mitt Romney stood a good chance of expanding the map to make up for potential loses in previously traditional Republicans states like Virginia. The naming of Wisconsin native Paul Ryan as VP was part of a real push to win the state and it did produce a noticeable boost for the ticket there at the time. That bump, though, appears to have faded.

Rick Santorum is trailing Mitt Romney significantly in Wisconsin, according to a new poll by Marquette Law School. The poll has Romney up by eight points a week out from the April 3rd primary. For Santorum to have even a slim chance of winning the nomination, he needs something to shake up the race and change the current trajectory that has Romney securing the nomination. He needs to prove he can start beating Romney outside of the bible belt, including states like Wisconsin.