The Democratic presidential candidates are putting a lot of faith in the humble Badger State.
Wisconsin has become a vital state in the road to the Democratic nomination. A spokesperson for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has said the candidate considers Tuesday's primary a critical one before another wave of crucial states hold their primaries in early March.
Dean, along with North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Ohio Sen. Dennis Kucinich and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, have confirmed they will attend the Wisconsin presidential debate, which is scheduled to take place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union. The debate, which will feature local and national panelists and will be televised nationally on MSNBC, locally on WTMJ-TV Channel 4, and in simulcast from the Weasler Auditorium, will give viewers a taste of the candidates' stances on various issues.
Panelists will include Craig Gilbert, Washington bureau chief for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, MSNBC anchorman Lester Holt, and Gloria Borger, anchorwoman for CNBC. Along with moderator Mike Gousha, news anchor for WTMJ-TV Channel 4, they will ask provocative questions, said Mary Alice Tierney, vice president of corporate communications for Journal Communications, a co-sponsor of the debate.
"Viewers can expect that the panelists and Mike Gousha will ask questions that will create lively exchange among the candidates and cover some issues of particular importance to the people of Wisconsin," Tierney said.
The debate also will focus on "issues that are of interest to everyone across the country," Tierney said.
Gen. Wesley Clark, who was planning to attend the debate, announced Tuesday that he will drop out of the race for the Democratic nomination, but will continue to support the other candidates' efforts to challenge President Bush's policies.
"Wisconsin is a key battleground state," said Peter Shakow, state director of the Clark for President campaign, citing the positive momentum the winner will have going into the "Super Tuesday" primaries March 2. Wisconsin is also a "patchwork quilt of the country at large," which may predict how the winner will do in the presidential election, Shakow said.
Though nationally Kerry has the lead going into the Wisconsin primary, "this race can turn on a dime," Shakow said.
Dean is optimistic the tides will turn in his favor in next week's primary, said Sarah Leonard, spokesperson for the Dean campaign.
"Gov. Dean has placed a marker on Wisconsin," Leonard said. "It is a primary he plans to win."
Though Wisconsin has become "the showdown state" for some of the candidates, Leonard said, its history of electing progressive leaders is an encouraging sign for Dean.
Along with Dean, Edwards has focused his energy on campaigning in Wisconsin for the past several days in an attempt to garner last-minute support.
"He has a specific plan of fresh ideas," said John Kraus, state director of the Edwards campaign, such as providing a college tax credit to make college a realistic goal for everyone. "He's bringing real change to Washington in order to make sure it can work for all of us."
Kucinich has not spent as much time in Wisconsin, but according to his spokesperson, is still confident he will do well in the Wisconsin primary and future primaries.
"Dennis is more attractive to middle-of-the-road voters," said Janet Spring, volunteer coordinator for Kucinich's national office. "We don't think it's true at all that he can't beat Bush."
After winning the Tennessee and Virginia primaries Tuesday night, Kerry will come to Wisconsin over the weekend to campaign before the debate.
Kerry "is going to win the Democratic nomination," said Bill Burton, communication director of the Kerry campaign in Wisconsin. "He feels very good about his chances."
He will "continue to say what he's been saying," Burton said. "He has the strongest vision for our country and the courage to do what's right."
Spokespersons for the Rev. Al Sharpton's campaign could not be reached for comment on whether or not Sharpton will attend the debate.