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FRANKSVILLE -- Just as it was four years ago for the Democrats, Wisconsin is coveted by the four Republican candidates trying to win the presidential nomination. The Wisconsin GOP primary is April 3rd, and Rick Santorum spent this weekend touring the Dairy State - Sunday, making stops in Franksville and Fond du Lac.
Fresh off a primary win in Louisiana Saturday night, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum stepped into familiar territory Sunday afternoon - another Wisconsin bowling alley - this one in Fond du Lac. Saturday, he hit some pins at a Sheboygan bowling alley.
Santorum's speech to Wisconsinites Sunday was just as familiar as the venue, mainly a health care policy attack on President Barack Obama and Republican front-runner, former governor Mitt Romney. "There's only one candidate in this race who didn't support ObamaCare in one form or another," Santorum said.
Sunday's event was so crowded, the former Pennsylvania senator had to address an overflow room.
FOX6 News was able to speak with Santorum one-on-one before he addressed the crowd, on the state's hottest topic: collective bargaining. "I think what Governor Walker is doing is absolutely right on. Remember the federal government does not allow unions to negotiate for wages and benefits," Santorum said.
On the way out, Santorum tried his hand at bowling. After getting three strikes Saturday in Sheboygan, Sunday he bowled just one. As he left, Santorum joked with reporters about how everyone thinks every state, including Wisconsin, is a must-win for the underdog of the Republican race. "How many times have you heard this? 'If I don't win, fill-in-the-blank state, it's over,'" Santorum said.
Protesters shouted at Santorum's caravan has he headed off to another speech at a country club in Franksville, Wisconsin. In Racine County, he continued to attack Obama and lay into Romney. "Pick any other Republican in the country - he is the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama. Why would Wisconsin vote for someone like that?" Santorum said.
Santorum's campaign manger says Santorum plans to spend much of his time between now and the April 3rd Wisconsin primary in the Badger state.
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Mitt Romney's wife, Ann was in Milwaukee last Thursday, March 22nd. Romney himself is planning trips to the state closer to the primary date. The most recent poll shows Romney with a double-digit lead in Wisconsin.
Next Saturday, March 31st, a Republican presidential candidate event is planned at the Italian Community Center. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul are expected to attend. There are only 350 tickets available for the event.
CLICK HERE for additional details regarding next Saturday's event and to sign up.