Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s choice of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, may have made Wisconsin more of a toss-up state for the election in November, according to recent political polls.
A Marquette University Law School poll conducted in August showed Obama leading Romney by 3 percentage points. The poll conducted at the beginning of the month showed Obama with a 5 percent lead.
The close running in the polls has ignited a renewed kick for partisan campaigning in a state that has experienced several major elections in the last two years.
Graeme Zielinski, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson, said he thinks although Ryan may initially appeal to some Wisconsinites since he is from their home state, he ultimately feels the people of Wisconsin will vote according to “what is best for their families.”
“Paul Ryan will charge students more for their education, make senior citizens pay more for Medicare and tax the middle class more heavily, all so the rich like Mitt Romney and himself can have more tax breaks,” Zielinski said.
Zielinski also addressed his view on how students ought to be more educated on Ryan’s platform. He said Ryan’s views on education and women’s rights are alarming and not what is best for Wisconsin.
As for Ryan’s views on women’s rights, Zielinski described them as oppressive, and said he does not believe they serve any purpose in today’s society.
“Paul Ryan’s 19th-century views on women would not benefit Wisconsin, or the country as a whole,” Zielinski said.
Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Nathan Conrad said all across Wisconsin, Wisconsinites are excited by Romney’s choice for his running mate.
He said the pools are favorable toward Romney, especially after he added Ryan to the ticket, and he thinks this will lead to a win in Wisconsin for Romney.
“I am absolutely certain that this November, Wisconsin will award its 10 electoral votes to the Republican Party for the first time since 1984,” Conrad said.
University of Wisconsin political science professor Donald Downs said he thinks Romney picking Ryan will turn Wisconsin into more of a battleground state.
He added Ryan is respected even by many who disagree with his positions.
However, Ryan does not necessarily mean a guaranteed win.
“Ryan is a risky pick, because he tackles the big, controversial issue of entitlements, but it is refreshing to see a ticket face what has to be faced sooner rather than later. A lot will depend on how Ryan and Romney come across,” Downs said in an email to The Badger Herald.
The Public Policy Polling poll released last week shows Romney closing in further, just one percentage point behind Obama in Wisconsin, a state known for often being split almost evenly. As for campaigning, both Democrats and Republicans are working to win over the votes of independents and undecided voters who may be more pivotal in this election than in previous years.
According to the Republican National Committee, now that there is a closer race in Wisconsin, they will be spending $3.7 million on commercials to air in major Wisconsin cities.
