Wisconsinites would prefer a Democrat over a Republican for President in 2008, according to a survey released Monday.
According to the UW Survey Center Badger Poll, Democrats were chosen by 47 percent of respondents and Republicans by 39 percent.
Change in these numbers could occur once people know who the specific party candidates are, with their personal characteristics and past policies, according to UW Survey Center Project Director Chad Kniss.
Byron Eagon, state coordinator for Students for Barack Obama, said voters are tired of the current administration.
I think that Democratic candidates are more in touch with real life issues that are important to voters like health care, education and ending wars,"" Eagon said.
According to the poll, there is still no clear favorite for either the Republican or Democratic presidential nominations.
""The average Wisconsinite is just now starting to pay attention to the presidential candidates,"" Kniss said.
People have not been politically engaged because Wisconsin is not one of the first states to hold its primaries, Kniss said.
The poll said when respondents were asked their impressions of candidates, only U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., had a higher percentage of unfavorable opinions than favorable opinions.
UW-Madison Political Science Prof. Charles Franklin said many people have already made up their minds about Clinton.
""It's hard to find any other candidate in the race where opinion has crystallized to such an extent,"" Franklin said. ""That's partly because of her personality, but surely its mostly because she's had more than 15 years now at the center of American public life and political debate.""
Stephanie Biese of UW-Madison Students for Hillary said many unfavorable opinions of Clinton come from criticisms by Republicans made during the 1990's.
""Women who are high powered often have the stereotype of controlling,"" Biese said. ""If people take closer look at her they will realize it is just a stereotype she has been fit into.""
Wisconsin's Presidential primaries are set for Feb. 19, two weeks after the February fifth ""Super Tuesday,"" when over a dozen large states hold their primaries, and more than a month after Iowa's caucuses on January third.
It is possible that the front runners could split the large states and Wisconsin will get to play an important role, according to Kniss, but it is unlikely.
