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Clinton, Obama Home In on Wisc.

Primary shapes up as test of momentum

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 18, 2008 4:06 PM CST

(Newser) – Tomorrow's primary in Wisconsin won’t decide the Democratic nomination, but Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are fighting tooth and nail anyway, Politico reports, airing their first negative ads of the campaign and taking shots at each other through aides. At stake is momentum: Obama doesn’t want to break his winning streak, and Clinton wants to prevent another Potomac-level blowout.

Obama supporters were particularly incensed by a Clinton mailer characterizing Obama’s health care plan as “unscrupulous demagoguery.” Obama supporter Ted Kennedy called the pamphlet “the kind of distortion we had back in 1994,” when Clinton was mounting her first health reform plan. Hawaii also holds a primary tomorrow; Obama is expected to dominate in the state where he grew up.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., makes remarks at the Wisconsin Democratic Party Dinner Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wis. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Associated Press)

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the annual Democratic Party of Wisconsin dinner held at the Midwest Express Center, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin primary... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., picks out some hot peppers with Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton during a campaign stop at the El Rey grocery store in... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Barack Obama stand together before a Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles in this Jan. 31, 2008 file photo.... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., stand together before the start of a Democratic presidential debate in Los Angeles, Thursday,... (Associated Press)

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Clinton, Obama Home In on Wisc.

Primary shapes up as test of momentum

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Hillary Coalition Collapses as Barack Lures Working Class

He wins white men 3-2 in Wisconsin

Like Health Reform? Thank John Edwards

Remember, that was his deal in '08 campaign

Hillary Win Leaves Dems Unmoved, Barack Weaker

Pennsylvania primary changed nothing, party operatives agree

Long Fight Threatens Dems

Clinton victories in Texas, Ohio presage ugly, costly contest

Dems, Still Bruised, Open Convention

Hillary slams Mac attack ad, will call for Obama support on floor

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Clinton, Obama Home In on Wisc.

Primary shapes up as test of momentum

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Wisconsin • Ted Kennedy • Hawaii • health care reform • Democratic nomination • Democratic presidential primaries • attack ad • Wisconsin primary • Election 2008

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Hillary Coalition Collapses as Barack Lures Working Class

He wins white men 3-2 in Wisconsin

Like Health Reform? Thank John Edwards

Remember, that was his deal in '08 campaign

Hillary Win Leaves Dems Unmoved, Barack Weaker

Pennsylvania primary changed nothing, party operatives agree

Long Fight Threatens Dems

Clinton victories in Texas, Ohio presage ugly, costly contest

Dems, Still Bruised, Open Convention

Hillary slams Mac attack ad, will call for Obama support on floor

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?