Romney, Santorum plan Wisconsin visits soon
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican presidential primary fight is soon coming to Wisconsin.
Rick Santorum plans to be in Milwaukee on Saturday and front-runner Mitt Romney is scheduled to come to the state the following weekend, but he could show up even sooner.
The activity comes in advance of the rapidly approaching April 3 primary election. When Wisconsin moved its primary from February to April, most expected the nominee to already have garnered enough support to make the election essentially meaningless.
But as Romney and Santorum continue to battle it out, Wisconsin sits as another important state with 42 delegates in play for the remaining candidates.
“If you had asked us two months ago if Wisconsin would bear the significance it has today, I would say no way,” said Wisconsin Republican Party spokesman Ben Sparks.
Santorum, the former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, will be the first to come to Wisconsin under the current schedule. He plans to speak Saturday at an Americans for Prosperity forum in Milwaukee.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan are both also scheduled to attend the event.
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, plans to be in Milwaukee on March 31, either for a fundraiser or some other campaign event, said former state Sen. Ted Kanavas, his state campaign co-chair. Details of the visit still were being worked out, Kanavas said. It’s also possible Romney will come to Wisconsin sooner, he said.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also remain in the race, but they have no known Wisconsin events planned.
Because of the volatility of the continuing campaign, candidates’ plans are being made on short notice and subject to change, Kanavas said.
“This thing has been such a circus,” he said. “Literally go into a town, put in a big tent, vote, pull up the tent and go into the next town. ... Every delegate matters this year.”
Santorum’s state director Nick Lauren said his campaign operations were ramping up in Wisconsin, but he anticipated Romney and groups supporting him would spend much more money. Pro-Romney television commercials began airing in Wisconsin last week.
Before Wisconsin, there are primaries Tuesday in Illinois and Saturday in Louisiana. Wisconsin shares an April 3 primary with Maryland and Washington, D.C.
According to an Associated Press count, Romney has 521 delegates, compared to Santorum’s 253, Gingrich’s 136 and Paul’s 50. At this rate, Romney is on pace to capture the nomination in June unless Santorum or Gingrich is able to win decisively in the coming contests.
It takes 1,144 delegates to secure the nomination.
Wisconsin could split its 42 delegates among two or more of the candidates. The statewide winner gets 18 delegates, with three delegates going to the winner in each of the state’s eight congressional districts.
President Barack Obama carried Wisconsin by 14 points in 2008, but Republicans swept to victory in 2010 winning the governor’s office and both houses of the Legislature, and defeating U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold.
A recent poll shows Obama still holds sway. The Marquette University Poll done in mid-February showed Obama leading Santorum 51 percent to 40 percent and Romney 53 percent to 38 percent.
Obama was ahead of Paul 52 percent to 36 percent and leading Gingrich 56 percent to 33 percent.
Kanavas dismissed any polls, saying it’s too volatile of an election year to accurately gauge where voters stand.
“Any poll that was taken more than three days ago, may as well have been taken in 1997, that’s how much validity there should be to polling,” he said.
Mar 21, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.
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"There are not enough wealthy people to tax in this country or the world to close the deficit let alone pay down the debt." Where did I say that this is the only source of new revenue – you seem to have Republican/Tea Party talking points in mind. I do stand by my comment “Until the righties admit culpability in the budget problem that we have and bring additional revenue to the table from the people that can afford it and actually benefited from this wealth transfer to the upper class over the past 30 years, they are not taking this problem seriously and there is nothing to talk about – we are doomed either way.” And I see you didn't admit to anything.......
"Relying on wealthy people to pay for things is risky when there is an economic downturn it is not uncommon for them to take a large percentage hit in income even 50% this translate into less revenue to the government." And this is based on some theory? Because history does not back this up – look into it on a non-tea party site (i.e. not Fox News, Heritage Foundation, MacIver Insitute, etc.).
"The answer has always been and will always be limited spending and limited government..." As long as the government is funded to stay fully functional, I would not argue with this.
Mar 20, 2012 at 11:52 p.m.
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There are not enough wealthy people to tax in this country or the world to close the deficit let alone pay down the debt. Relying on wealthy people to pay for things is risky when there is an economic downturn it is not uncommon for them to take a large percentage hit in income even 50% this translate into less revenue to the government. This is exactly why many states California in particular had found themselves in the mess they are in. The answer has always been and will always be limited spending and limited government... See Greece.
Mar 20, 2012 at 8:13 p.m.
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wislady - I do have a problem with the deficit – the righties only have a problem with the political aspect of the budget since they are the budget busters. Again – who had the last balanced budget? Who blew that when he was elected in 2000? And as tamrlu said, what about the off the books wars, the unfunded drug program, the tax cuts after being warned it was unsustainable and would be a budget buster. The irresponsible and reckless actions by the Republicans set us on a trajectory of non-stop deficits that must be turned around through a variety of actions. The problem is that Republican's have taken revenue off the table unless it comes from the poor, the elderly or the middle class. The wealthy get a tax break even with today's budget bomb from Ryan who believe the poor, the elderly and the middle class are the real problem that we have – death panels anyone? Until the righties admit culpability in the budget problem that we have and bring additional revenue to the table from the people that can afford it and actually benefited from this wealth transfer to the upper class over the past 30 years, they are not taking this problem seriously and there is nothing to talk about – we are doomed either way. Surely you don't believe in trickle down economics do you?
Don't forget now:
“Deficits don't matter” & “It's our due” - VP Dick Cheney (draft dodger, war monger and war profiteer extraordinaire).
“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” Mitch McConnell - Senate Minority Leader (if it takes destroying the economy to gain power – so be it)
How embarrassing it must be to be a Republican these days.
Mar 20, 2012 at 6:26 p.m.
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Isn't a whole bunch of the deficit problem from 2 unfunded and off the budget wars and an unfunded Medicare drug program? And wasn't Solyndra on the books prior to the current administration? Just wanting to make sure I had read correctly a long time ago. Just wondering.
Mar 20, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.
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myviews2
Obviously, you have no issue with a potus who recklessly spends borrowed money. That is money that our grand kids will never be able to pay off.
What's the answer.....borrow more money and spend it on some more Solyndra's? That worked so well. Obama has had 3 years, yet his crowning achievement....ObamaScare, and becoming the food stamp president. He makes Carter look good.
Mar 20, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.
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Bettter get out the shovels, it's going to get deep in Wisconsin !
Mar 20, 2012 at 3:54 p.m.
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wislady - I will not worry about a budget until I see significant revenues offered up by the righties. I know the way you all work. Democrats can meet all known demands by the Republican thugs and hostage takers and then there would be more. You can't deal with terrorists who extort money from 99% of the citizens. Just a game of “chicken” to the righties is all. They yearn for the good old days of 2008 and the glory days of the depression – can't get enough of those good times. Don't forget now:
“Deficits don't matter” & “It's our due” - VP Dick Cheney (draft dodger, war monger and war profiteer extraordinaire).
“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” Mitch McConnell - Senate Minority Leader (if it takes destroying the economy to gain power – so be it)
How embarrassing it must be to be a Republican these days.
Mar 20, 2012 at 3:14 p.m.
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I'd like to go see both
Mar 20, 2012 at 1:59 p.m.
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myviews2
I guess you don't have to worry about balancing a budget.....when the democrats refuse to pass a budget.
Mar 20, 2012 at 11:37 a.m.
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wislady - “Deficits don't matter” & “It's our due” - VP Dick Cheney (draft dodger, war monger and war profiteer extraordinaire). Gotta love those quotes as the righties toss the blame to the Democrats. And when was the last time the budget was balanced?
We will know the righties are serious about the national debt when they offer up some revenue increases. Until then, it is all politics and ideology.
Mar 20, 2012 at 10:48 a.m.
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Go on, it will be fun!
Mar 20, 2012 at 10:47 a.m.
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No, really, you should check it out.
Mar 20, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.
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National Debt has increased more under Obama than under Bush
(CBS News) The National Debt has now increased more during President Obama's three years and two months in office than it did during 8 years of the George W. Bush presidency.
The Debt rose $4.899 trillion during the two terms of the Bush presidency. It has now gone up $4.939 trillion since President Obama took office.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-5...
Mar 20, 2012 at 9:28 a.m.
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Go Mitt. We have too many job destroying dems in WI and the country. The party of NO new jobs. And we don't need our taxes raised any more after the number Doyle did.
Mar 20, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.
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garyprimer
It's called....NEWS.
Mar 20, 2012 at 8:26 a.m.
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You should go down there and investigate.
Mar 20, 2012 at 8:12 a.m.
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SB1
Just the fact that yesterday in Mexico, another incident of numerous people found beheaded.....why would someone send a 13 year old there. Just another indication of BO's poor judgement.
10 people found beheaded....12 policemen executed when investigating the incident.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newswo...
Mar 20, 2012 at 7:46 a.m.
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I would like to see some one run for office that really cares about the people
But that will never happen except for Lori Compas seems more in line with the people
Mar 20, 2012 at 7:45 a.m.
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The articles were scrubbed because the admin doesn't want to reinforce the notion of their elitism and "do as I say, not as I do." And the liberal press is the Obama Press.
Mar 20, 2012 at 7:35 a.m.
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Every election cycle our choices get worse and worse. I honestly didn't think it could get worse than 2000 with Bush and Gore but this year I stand corrected... Obama vs. Mitt/Sanitation? Really this is what a two part system gives us? The 80% that vote partisan are really screwing things up for the 20% that actually use their brain.
Mar 20, 2012 at 6:50 a.m.
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Go Mitt
Mar 20, 2012 at 6:42 a.m.
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For all the Obama worshipers...something is seriously wrong with his judgement. Why would he send his 13 year old daughter to Mexico for spring break?
Interesting that most MSM sites are scrubbing the stories.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/why-is-t...
Mar 20, 2012 at 6:18 a.m.
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Cool, getting a chance to see the next President who beats Obombedout.
Mar 20, 2012 at 5:47 a.m.
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And remember bin laden wanted to get Obama out of the way so he could deal with that dolt Biden.
Mar 20, 2012 at 5:46 a.m.
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The libs are just jealous because all they have is Obama and Biden (snicker, snicker).
Mar 20, 2012 at 3:10 a.m.
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Anybody but Obama.
Mar 19, 2012 at 9:55 p.m.
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Koch_Bros, I hope you include a few pieces of taconite in one of your side shows. The patriots seem to become quite animated just talking about it!
Mar 19, 2012 at 9:19 p.m.
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And Ron Johnson? Who is he? Oh, that senator that was going to go to Washington and change everything that Russ Feingold wasn't doing. Welcome to the good ole boys club in Washington.
Mar 19, 2012 at 9:16 p.m.
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And after the election on April 3rd, will we ever see them again? We are good enough when they want our votes, but..... Ron Paul looks pretty good right now.
Mar 19, 2012 at 6:46 p.m.
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Marie Antoinette "let them eat cake", and the American Taliban.
Mar 19, 2012 at 5:58 p.m.
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Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move...
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