The Republican National Committee has halted television advertisements in Wisconsin to focus on other states after Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama pulled a 17-point lead across the state in a recent poll.

Brad Todd, consultant from the RNC’s independent expenditure that runs the ads, said all ad-buying decisions are made on a weekly basis, and no decision has been made for ads in the final week before the election in Wisconsin.

According to Kirsten Kukowski, communications director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, the pulling of their ads has no reflection upon Republican nominee John McCain’s campaign and its intentions in Wisconsin.

McCain has bought ad time in Wisconsin through Oct. 26. But according to Kukowski, this doesn’t mean his campaign will be stopping, just that they have yet to buy ad time past then.

“The ads are one piece of the big puzzle that is obviously campaigning in this state,” Kukowski said. “We are still actively and aggressively campaigning as far as voter contact, phone calls and mail that are going out to voters. These ads are only a small part of what’s going on in the state.”

Alec Loftus, communications director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said Democrats are “not reading too much into it.”

Loftus added while the RNC is pulling ads, the DPW and the Obama campaign are not going to be easing up.

“Barack Obama will be working hard to spread a positive economic message across Wisconsin, and we won’t be taking anything for granted,” Loftus said.

Kukowski said McCain’s unique appeal to independent voters can win Wisconsin, which may be the key to winning the November election.

Wisconsin was won by less than 1 percent in the 2000 and 2004 elections, and according to Loftus, this race will prove to be just as close.

“I’m sure Wisconsin voters will be relieved they won’t have to see as many of those negative RNC attack ads on the TV,” Loftus added.