The race is on, and presidential candidates will be running all over Wisconsin as part of it.

Democrat Barack Obama broke the ice Tuesday night. He drew 17,000 people to the Kohl Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a rally. And it came just as he was winning primaries in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Obama spoke sharply against the Iraq war and Republican candidate John McCain, instead of focusing on his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

He says he'll carry his message of changing America's direction across the state, then to Ohio and Texas, and then on to the Democratic convention in Denver.

He'll be in Wisconsin Wednesday, first at the General Motors plant in Janesville and then at town hall meetings in Waukesha and Racine.

Clinton is due in Wisconsin for a Democratic dinner Saturday night, and Obama is scheduled to be there too. Clinton's campaign says she'll then stay in the state until Tuesday morning -- primary election day.

Former President Clinton is in La Crosse Thursday, and Republican John McCain will be in La Crosse Friday where he is expected at the Radisson Hotel from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Republican Mike Huckabee is expected to arrive in La Crosse Thursday and speak at the La Crosse Center at 2 p.m.

From the Obama campaign:
Actors Kal Penn, Brandon Routh, Kerry Washington, and Tate Donovan Launch Wisconsin College Tour for Obama

College Events to Build on Surge of Participation from Young Voters

Actors Kal Penn and Brandon Routh will tour Wisconsin colleges on Thursday in River Falls, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Madison to speak about the change Senator Barack Obama can bring to Washington and the central role that young people are playing in this presidential election. On Friday, they will be joined by actress Kerry Washington in Milwaukee. And on Saturday, Kerry Washington and actor Tate Donovan will join Gus and Gabe Doyle at Marquette University. These events will continue the momentum Barack Obama has built among young voters since his campaign began.

Penn’s film credits include roles in “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle,” “National Lampoon's Van Wilder,” and “The Namesake.” He also appeared on the television shows “24” and “House.” Brandon Routh starred in “Superman Returns.” Kerry Washington starred in “Ray” and “The Last King of Scotland.” Tate Donovan has appeared in “The OC,” “Love Potion Number 9,” and “Friends.”

Events for Saturday will be announced soon.

Details of the events are below:

Thursday, February 14:

9:30 AM
Kal Penn and Brandon Routh
UW – RIVER FALLS
Kinnickinnic River Theater
500 Wild Rose Ave, Rm #320
River Falls, WI

12:00 PM
Kal Penn and Brandon Routh
UW – EAU CLAIRE
Davies Theater
Davies Center
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI

3:30 PM
Kal Penn and Brandon Routh
UW - LA CROSSE
Great Hall
Cleary Alumni and Friends Center
615 East Avenue N
La Crosse, WI