On issues, Sharpless paints Baldwin as a lackadaisical lawmaker who has advocated few solutions to problems and who talks about issues only after he broaches them. She basically allowed the first year to slip by. She said Baldwin has visited every county in the district and is home nearly every weekend. In July, Baldwin and Democratic Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin's 7th District introduced a bill that aims to move toward universal health care coverage and gives states the flexibility to tailor their own programs. Baldwin's campaign kickoff event, held outside a hospital last Saturday, also emphasized the importance of health care issues.
Education also is a top campaign issue.
Baldwin has emphasized local control while supporting efforts by the federal government to reduce class size, hire more teachers and modernize schools. Sharpless said he supports education savings accounts, increasing university grants and increasing the income threshold for Pell Grants. In a district with ample rural territory, both candidates are talking about strengthening agriculture. Goodman cited Baldwin's work in extending Chapter 12 of the bankruptcy code to help farmers. Baldwin supported amending a milk pricing system and dairy compact she said are detrimental to the Midwest.