Wisconsin a swing state? (Madison, Green Bay: credit, high school, college)

[qazzaq9]

I have been hearing Wisconsin mentioned a lot lately in the political coverage as a possible swing state. Do people agree with that? I am moving there in August and just wanted to get a pulse on what might happen. Is Wisconsin like other states where cities tend to vote democrat and rural areas lean republican? Is the state really as up for grabs as the coverage claims?

I'm excited to see as I'm from upstate NY and no matter how we vote NYC always cancels us out and then some. I think it would be cool to feel as my vote might actually matter whoever I decide to cast my vote for.

[wanderlusting]

Yep, Wisconsin is a swing state but lately it's been swinging toward the blue end. The credit for that can mostly be given to Madison, which is in Dane County. Madison is our NYC as far as canceling out the votes goes.

[radraja]

Madison is pure liberal. It's a college town, though, so that's to be expected.

The rest of the cities tends to be socially moderate/conservative and economically liberal. These two factors make election results unpredictable, but with the economy as it is right now, WI will probably move closer to a solid blue this year.

[Clutch Cargo]

Unless McCain picks his running mate from Wisconsin, Obama has it locked up.
Period.

[Badger]

Originally Posted by Clutch Cargo

Unless McCain picks his running mate from Wisconsin, Obama has it locked up.
Period.

I couldn't disagree more, the last 2 pres. elections were both won by the Dem by less than 1%, WI is surley a swing state.

Wisconsin has this rep for being a true blue state but really it's not. There are alot of conservative areas, generally speaking Washington and Ozaukee counties, the Fox Valley area (from Green Bay through Fond du Lac) and also Waukesha county, plus most of the rural areas are all conservative.

Obama may have won the state but HC didn't put in that great of an effort here. There are many more conservatives here plus the type of Dem that exists in Wisconsin is the blue collar, working class type Dem due to the states heavy manufacturing emphasis. There are the exact type of Dems that he has problems with. The state is very much in play, John McCain thinks so, he was just in the state last week.

[hedwigger]

Yep, we are a swing state. My prediction, judging from talking to friends, yard signs, bumper stickers, and op/ed pieces I have read in the Wisconsin newspapers is that we will go Democratic. Lots of union workers here too.

But, you never know...a lot can happen between now and November.

[Clutch Cargo]

Disagree all you want.
Wisconsin has not been won by a Republican since 1984.
Dukakis, Clinton, Clinton, Gore, Kerry.
This miserable record will continue in November.
Period.

[atomz]

There are lots of conservatives here. If more of them vote, it could outnumber dems. I personally have seen many conservatives not vote.
But shhhh, don't tell them. Usually it's the people with less education and there are a lot of them here.

[Dea13]

Atomz makes a good point (although tying conservatism with lack of education leaves me puzzled). I would consider WI a swing state and it really is going to depend on who can rally the voters to get off their duffs and to the polls. So many people I work with and live near (dem & rep) just don't bother to vote.

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by Dea13

Atomz makes a good point (although tying conservatism with lack of education leaves me puzzled).

I think you'll find that there's a relatively good correlation between more liberal social views and a college education. I wouldn't be surprised to find that there was also some correlation between a college education and slightly more conservative financial views.

Before anyone screams, all of this is broad brush stuff, though - it doesn't apply to any individual. Likely most of the best known conservatives are very well educated - with some glaring exceptions you're more likely to be taken seriously if you can frame your thoughts coherently and an education can help there - and there are plenty of liberal high school dropouts.