President Bush followed traditional political rhetoric in Wausau, Wis., yesterday afternoon, criticizing opponent and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. His visit marked the 15th time he has visited the state this election season. Both candidates have been very visible in the state, although Bush has chosen to campaign in areas where he has evident support. Despite his numerous visits, he has neglected to appear in Madison.
UW-Madison political science Professor Charles Franklin was not at all surprised Bush chose to ignore Madison.
\Bush would be a lightning rod for protesters and demonstrators here in Madison,"" Franklin said. ""There's not much for him to gain here, but there is a lot to be lost in terms of negative coverage through demonstrations.""
Conversely, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry has visited Wisconsin only nine times, but has made Madison a routine campaign stop.
""Kerry needs to get every last damn vote he can out of Dane and Milwaukee county to win this election,"" said UW-Sheboygan political science Professor Dick Flannery.
He added huge voting majorities in both counties are usually the way Democratic candidates win Wisconsin because Republicans dominate the smaller and less populated rural areas.
UW-Madison political science Professor Herbert Kritzer is spending the year in St. Paul, Minn., and said presidential candidates only go to places they feel will help turn out voters.
""Here in the Twin Cities you don't see Bush in the city,"" he said. ""You see Kerry in the city and you see Bush out in the 'burbs.""
Kritzer added candidates do not influence people's chosen policies these days, but rather elections are being determined on voter turnout.
Despite the fact Wisconsin now only carries 10 electoral votes instead of the 11 it boasted last year, all three professors agree this does not make much difference.
""Any one vote matters, especially in close elections, but the loss of one electoral vote isn't going to deter any candidates from campaigning in Wisconsin,"" Kritzer said.
Flannery added middle-size states like Wisconsin are getting a lot of attention from the two presidential candidates because larger states with more electoral votes are not as competitive this election.
""Tight polls in Wisconsin make candidates focus on us more,"" Franklin said. ""Only a handful of states in the U.S. receive more advertising.""
Franklin added that as any candidate's lead rises, that candidate is then able to shift more attention to the next most marginal state.
As long as Wisconsin appears undecided, however, this state can expect a lot of attention.
