Election 2012: Why Wisconsin Matters
With less than two weeks to go until Election Day, President Obama and Mitt Romney are making their final pitches to the American people, and they are focusing on key battleground states, including Wisconsin. This swing state has picked the winner in five of the last eight elections.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel DC Bureau Chief Craig Gilbert joined Happening Now to discuss the importance of Wisconsin in the 2012 election and who seems to have the most effective ground game.
“I think Wisconsin is a state where both sides have proven they can turn out their vote … if you look at 2004 and 2008 and the recall fight of 2012,
we’ve had elections where Republicans and Democrats have really maximized their vote. Democrats have a great ground game, but Republicans have shown, probably more than in most states, that not only is their base motivated, but they know how to turn out their vote as well.”
According to Gilbert, Wisconsin and Ohio are also tracking together. “Obama’s strength has been a little more consistent than some people expected in Ohio so that’s brought those two states together…” He continued, "Democrats have always needed Wisconsin in their column. For Republicans, if they don’t win Ohio they have to put together a combination of states that really does need to include Wisconsin.”
Here are some quick facts about this swing state:
- Unemployment rate is 7.3%
- Obama has visited Wisconsin three times, while Romney has visited once
- 10 electoral votes
- Latest polls show President Obama leading 49.5% to Mitt Romney’s 46.8%
