It's still the economy

摘要

It is a quiet-looking state, a land of rolling hills, family farms and a few medium-sized cities in the middle of the northern stretch of the country. But, when it comes to politics, Wisconsin is more dramatic than it looks. A century ago it held the nation's first mandatory presidential primary, in an attempt to curb the power of party bosses who had controlled political king-making until then. Its Progressive movement, led by Teddy Roosevelt's rival Robert LaFol-lette, stood up for the little guy and continues to influence American politics as far away as California. It has sent more than its share of mavericks and firebrands to the Senate, from Joe McCarthy to Russ Fein-gold, the only senator who opposed the Patriot Act after September 11th 2001.