Wisconsin in the political spotlight - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

As the candidates continue their campaigning efforts, political experts say the Badger State has a major stake in the outcome of the presidential race.

"We're going to increasingly see people like the stature of Bill Clinton and others trying to sway voters one way or the other," said UW - Stevens Point Political Science Professor Eric Giordano.

Giordano said in such a close election, Wisconsin and it's ten electoral votes could go either way. That's why both campaigns are sending their heavy-hitters here.

"This is a big election, and you'd ought to be happy, we're on the way back, we're going to build a new, modern, 21st century economy, that everybody in Wisconsin who's willing to work hard can be a part of," said Former President Bill Clinton.

The former president spoke to Wisconsin voters at the Kress Events Center in Green Bay on Friday evening, but he wasn't the only democratic representative in the state.

First Lady Michelle Obama also made a stop in Wausau on Friday.

"Just a few of you here, in this room, could swing an entire ward for Barack Obama and if we win enough wards, we will win this state and if we win Wisconsin, we'll be well on our way to putting Barack back in the White House for four more years," said Obama.

Republicans, including U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, have been working just as hard to win over voters in the Badger State.

"Get out, register your vote, then you can spend the next two weeks talking to other people, letting people understand how critically vital this election is in terms of the financial future of America," said Sen. Johnson.

Giordano said both campaigns are focused on early voting, hoping to win Wisconsin.

"This could boil down to one of those elections similar to 2000 or other elections where it really comes down to just a few electoral votes," said Giordano.

He said he expects Wisconsin voters will continue to see a strong presence until Election Day.