Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

10 Key Factors in Wisconsin Vote

Here's what may tip the results either candidate's way

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2008 5:48 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – With Wisconsin voting winding down, "it's anybody’s state,” says Slate’s Chadwick Maltin. Here are five reasons Clinton could win. (Obama's follow):

  1. The demographics are perfect: 90% are white, and most are lower-income moderates.
  2. Polls here are seesawing, and they’re due to swing in Hillary’s favor.
  3. Attacks on Obama’s refusal to debate and plagiarism may have curbed his support.

  1. Media backlash against Barack might have taken hold in ordinary citizens here.
  2. Republicans may vote for Clinton in an open primary, looking to prolong the fight.
And five reasons Obama could hold the line:
  1. In the open primary, independents can vote for him.
  2. Neighboring states (including Illiniois) have mostly gone for the Chicagoan.
  3. Nasty weather may have kept many Clinton-loving older voters at home.
  4. Barack has campaigned in Wisconsin twice as much as his rival.
  5. Momentum may finally mean something: Dems want a candidate already.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., accompanied by actress Kerry Washington, makes remarks at the Wisconsin Democratic Party Dinner Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wis. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., accompanied by actress Kerry Washington, makes remarks at the Wisconsin Democratic Party Dinner Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wis. (AP...   (Associated Press)
A woman walks between voting booths at the Landtn Thiel 470 VFW post as citizens take to the polls to cast their votes for the Wisconsin's primary Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, in the Village of Saukville Wis. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)
A woman walks between voting booths at the Landtn Thiel 470 VFW post as citizens take to the polls to cast their votes for the Wisconsin's primary Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, in the Village of Saukville Wis....   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., claps as she arrives at a campaign stop at Wausau Labor Temple in Wausau, Wis., Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. To the right is Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., claps as she arrives at a campaign stop at Wausau Labor Temple in Wausau, Wis., Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. To the right is Wisconsin Lt....   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets supporter Robert Chan of Madison, Wis., wearing a cheese head hat, Monday, feb. 18, 2008, during a campaign stop at Schuldes Sports Center at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets supporter Robert Chan of Madison, Wis., wearing a cheese head hat, Monday, feb. 18, 2008, during a campaign stop at Schuldes...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Last-minute Clinton mailer assails Obama's 'present' votes in state senate
Talking Points Memo

Check the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's primary day blog
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • poll • Wisconsin primary • the independent vote

More Newser Stories

Obama Most Admired Man: Poll

Obama Pulls Ahead of McCain by 8 Points

Dems Shower Each Other With Attacks

McCain Expands Fan Club

Poll: McCain Ties Obama, Beats Clinton Narrowly
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne