Democratic Candidates Challenge Wisconsin to Vote

Madison, Wisconsin -- Wisconsin voters typically vote in a primary that has been decided two weeks earlier on Super Tuesday, but this year Wisconsinites are thrilled to be a battleground state. Both candidates have drawn large crowds to their political rallies and voter turnout is predicted to perhaps be as high as 35% of the eligible turnout, though lingering snow and bitter cold may keep many in.

In the past week, I had the opportunity to hear both candidates speak and was impressed with their ability to draw people from every demographic: gender, ethnic, age and so forth. They each discussed issues close to their hearts with passion and a keen understanding of the issues at stake. While I have a definite preference between them, both are firm in their convictions and would -- and have -- serve the country honorably.

Barack Obama has been campaigning in Wisconsin since early last week and held a rally in Madison's Kohl Center which drew an estimated 17-20,000 people. The Kohl Center, the third largest indoor venue in the state, is usually a sports venue and ideally suited for a candidate who rouses his audience to a fever pitch of appreciation. The center video screens constantly broadcast videos (including the famous YouTube "Change" video), clips detailing the Obamas' respective childhoods and CNN's coverage of the Potomac Primaries that were ending as the rally began before turning to Obama's speech.

Obama's speech, short and pithy, resonated with the audience; at times the cheers were so loud his speech was briefly drowned out and other times the audience fell completely silent to absorb his message. This was not a policy speech, but a rally intended to pep voters and motivate them to go to the polls; he addressed the issues of the day and encouraged his audience to hope for -- and demand -- change. His staging was minimal, stressing the candidate and his message: a single podium (with UW's iconic "W" blazoning an ironic contrast) topped with an "Obama for Change" sign.