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“I think the people of Wisconsin would like to have a say before anyone declares themselves the nominee,” Clinton told reporters on a conference call from Ohio. “They deserve to hear us debate.”
A new television ad has Clinton accusing Obama of ducking an invitation to debate in Wisconsin. The candidates have debated 18 times, most recently before the California primary, which Clinton won.
The Illinois senator already has campaigned in Wisconsin, while Clinton has yet to make a personal appearance.
She announced Thursday she’ll spend four days in Wisconsin, starting Saturday.
Daughter Chelsea and husband and former President Bill Clinton both have campaigned for her in Wisconsin.
Clinton said she gladly would have come sooner had Obama agreed to a debate.
A streak of wins in the Potomac primaries Tuesday propelled Obama ahead of the New York senator, who’s campaigning in Ohio and Texas, where she leads in recent polls.
Hillary Clinton said Obama doesn’t want to answer questions about weaknesses in his health care plan she contends overlooks 15 million people.
“I think Sen. Obama will be at a tremendous disadvantage going into a debate with McCain over health care,” she said, adding she’s better prepared to “go toe-to-toe” with Sen. John McCain, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, on issues such as national security and universal health care.
McCAIN
Arizona Sen. John McCain, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, will hold a town hall meeting at 2:45 p.m. today in the Radisson Hotel ballroom in downtown La Crosse.
Supporters of GOP presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas said they plan to protest outside the event. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Progressives plan a peace protest as well against McCain’s support for the war in Iraq. Members will meet on campus at 2 p.m. and march to the Radisson.
CLINTON
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton announced Thursday she’ll campaign in Wisconsin from Saturday through Tuesday. Her schedule has yet to be announced.
OBAMA
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will host a “Stand for Change” rally Saturday at the W.L. Zorn Arena, 121 Garfield Ave., on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Govs. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Janet Napolitano of Arizona are scheduled to stump for Obama on Sunday, including a stop in La Crosse.
Rawhide wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:31 PM: