When a political candidate starts demanding more debates, it’s usually because his or her campaign needs a lift.

In recent days, Hillary Clinton and some of her key Wisconsin supporters have tried to pressure Barack Obama into debating at Marquette University in Milwaukee before Wisconsin’s big presidential primary Feb. 19.

Clinton and her political friends obviously favor a debate for more than civic reasons. Yet Obama should wholeheartedly accept the invitation anyway.

The Illinois senator is going to need Wisconsin — both now and in November — if he wants to become president. Our swing state deserves its own debate with questions focusing on Wisconsin, the Midwest and the economy.

Obama already has a lot going for him here in the heartland. He’s won a string of contests in diverse states since his strong showing on Super Tuesday a week ago. Obama also will make his second appearance in Madison Tuesday evening with a giant rally at the Kohl Center.

Obama has been running television commercials in Wisconsin and enjoys the enthusiastic support of Gov. Jim Doyle. On top of that, Wisconsin’s open primary makes it easy for independents to participate. And independents are so far supporting Obama in higher numbers.

With all that going against her, Clinton could use an edge, something to shake up the Democratic race here and nationally.

While some debates are sleepy affairs that fail to cover new ground, others can dramatically shift a campaign. That’s why Clinton is making the proposed Wisconsin debate a big deal.

ABC, WISN-TV (Ch. 12), Marquette University Law School and wispolitics.com would sponsor the debate in Milwaukee. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos would moderate with a panel of Wisconsin journalists.

It’s worth noting that Stephanopoulos once worked for Bill Clinton’s White House. But that shouldn’t stop Obama from accepting the challenge. Stephanopoulos will be under tremendous pressure to be even-handed or else risk his own reputation as a broadcaster.

Obama’s spokesman in Wisconsin notes that Obama has already participated in 18 debates with Clinton and agreed to two more in the coming weeks. He certainly deserves credit and respect for that.

But Obama hasn’t agreed to the Wisconsin debate — even though a full week precedes our primary without any other contests in other states.

Obama shouldn’t dodge this big one. He should accept so that the people of Wisconsin can view him side by side with his Democratic opponent in meaningful and tailored debate — one that we won’t soon forget if Obama is the nominee this fall.

— Wisconsin State Journal