ALL DEFENSE...:

Obama still favored in Wis. but race is tighter (SCOTT BAUER and RYAN J. FOLEY, September 14, 2008, AP)

Sen. John McCain is sharply increasing his number of campaign aides and offices in Wisconsin, where he has worked his way back into a tight presidential race with Sen. Barack Obama.

Through a barrage of television ads, campaign events and the selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, McCain has pulled closer in a state some Democrats hoped would be an Obama stronghold this cycle.