Feingold says enthusiasm gap is a myth (updated)

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Feingold says enthusiasm gap is a myth

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold says the enthusiasm gap between Republicans and Democrats is a myth.

Feingold spoke Tuesday at President Barack Obama's rally at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus designed to energize Democratic voters. More than 12,000 people showed up with thousands more turned away.

Feingold looked out over the crowd and said Republicans were celebrating too soon and all the talk of there being an enthusiasm gap is a myth.

Feingold faces a tough re-election fight against millionaire Republican businessman Ron Johnson. Polls show Johnson and Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker ahead.

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More than 26,000 show up to see Obama in Madison

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - If there's an enthusiasm gap for Democrats this election, it hasn't reached Madison.

Students and residents in the traditionally liberal city turned out by the thousands on Tuesday to see President Barack Obama at a rally on the University of Wisconsin campus meant to energize the base of the Democratic Party.

University police estimate more than 17,000 people packed onto a mall in the heart of the campus to see the president. Another 9,000 lined up for more than a mile to get in but were diverted to overflow areas.

Obama was joined at the rally by U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett.

Rock band the National and singer-songwriter Ben Harper also entertained the crowd before the president arrived.

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