Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, February 15, 2008
Clinton slams Obama for not agreeing to debate in Wisconsin
Sen. Hillary Clinton criticized Democratic presidential rival Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday for refusing to debate in Wisconsin before Tuesday’s primary.
“I think the people of Wisconsin would like to have a say before anyone declares themselves the nominee,” Clinton told reporters on a conference call from Ohio. “They deserve to hear us debate.”
A new television ad has Clinton accusing Obama of ducking an invitation to debate in Wisconsin. The candidates have debated 18 times, most recently before the California primary, which Clinton won.
The Illinois senator already has campaigned in Wisconsin, while Clinton has yet to make a personal appearance.
She announced Thursday she’ll spend four days in Wisconsin, starting Saturday.
Daughter Chelsea and husband and former President Bill Clinton both have campaigned for her in Wisconsin.
Clinton said she gladly would have come sooner had Obama agreed to a debate.
A streak of wins in the Potomac primaries Tuesday propelled Obama ahead of the New York senator, who’s campaigning in Ohio and Texas, where she leads in recent polls.
Hillary Clinton said Obama doesn’t want to answer questions about weaknesses in his health care plan she contends overlooks 15 million people.
“I think Sen. Obama will be at a tremendous disadvantage going into a debate with McCain over health care,” she said, adding she’s better prepared to “go toe-to-toe” with Sen. John McCain, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, on issues such as national security and universal health care.
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