Clinton Hopes To Not Get Badgered in Wisconsin
WASHINGTON -- After losing 8 contests in a row to Barack Obama, the Hillary Clinton campaign braces for what could become her 9th loss.
Clinton campaign spokesman Mo Elleithee says they plan to compete in Wisconsin but downplays how hard they plan to compete saying Obama "has a number of advantages in the state. He had a head start there and he has the support of the governor."
But movements in the Clinton campaign seem to indicate that Clinton is actually playing hard in the Badger State. Her Iowa honcho, Teresa Villmain, has joined the efforts on the ground and the campaign has opened up numerous offices and hired plenty of staff.
"We have strong organizations on the ground and staff. We have offices in Madison, Milwaukee, Lacrosse, Green Bay," said Elleithee. "We have organized in all 72 counties. We have chairs and co-chairs in each of the counties."
When asked how long these offices have been opened, Elleithee did not know.
But even though the campaign has downplayed Wisconsin for several days,and essentially put it in the win column for Obama, it is clear that they hope to cause an upset and new polls show Clinton within reach of Obama there. A win in Wisconsin would only help shift momentum for Clinton.
For weeks, the campaign has stressed the importance of Texas and Ohio, but when asked if a loss in Wisconsin would affect her lead in those states, Elleithee said, "I don't think the people of Texas and Ohio are worried about the political calendar, or who's up and who's down."
Elleithee continued, "People of these states are just starting to tune in. The campaign is finally coming to them and we want them to understand the choices. ... The choice is between a candidate with a record on results versus a candidate who has wonderful rhetoric who, frankly, does not have the same record on results."
Clinton is headed to Wisconsin today and will tour the state through Tuesday, the day of the primary.