GOP senses chance to beat Obama in Wisconsin

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Republicans see a lack of enthusiasm for President Obama when they look out across Wisconsin, and they're hoping that that diminished energy level will give them the opening they need to seize the traditionally Democratic state for GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

"I don't think there's any state where Obama has lost more ground than Wisconsin," said state Rep. Steve Kestell, a Romney supporter. "This is all about making sure our folks get out to vote and bring a friend."

Wisconsin nearly went for Republican George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, but it hasn't actually backed a Republican presidential contender since 1984, and though it's often a tempting target for the GOP, it has generally remained outside the party's reach. Obama thrashed his 2008 Republican rival, John McCain, by 14 percentage points and flipped dozens of Wisconsin counties from red to blue.

Despite that decisive defeat, Republicans grew more emboldened earlier this year when they beat back an effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker, the GOP leader who roiled the state when he sought to trim the influence of public employee labor unions.