More than 2,000 people showed up to see democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton during a campaign stop in Sioux Falls on Thursday. Clinton told the crowd she was proud to be the first candidate to campaign in the state. Not to be outdone, Senator Obama is the first candidate with an advertising presence. So with both competing on the airwaves Thursday we asked both campaigns about south dakota issues.

Senator Clinton told voters she was in South Dakota because every vote should be counted, but she told KSFY South Dakota also has much more to offer than votes.

"There's a lot about the challenges our country faces that South Dakota can be part of the solution for," Senator Clinton says. "Take energy for example, between wind and biofuels, South Dakota could be a major energy producer."

One of Senator Obama's advertisements in South Dakota outlines his plan for the fuel crisis. Obama's South Dakota campaign manager Nathan Peterson says Obama had state's like South Dakota in mind when crafting something called a "renewable portfolio standard."

"Which would essentially mandate that 25 percent of the nation's electricity needs to come from renewable sources," Peterson says. "One of the most important ones for South Dakota of course would be wind energy because of our potential in that category."

Though the candidates agree on South Dakota's energy potential they have different plans for education.

"I want to end No Child Left Behind because I think it's driving teachers out of the classroom," Sen. Clinton says. "I think it's a one-size-fits-all formula that doesn't work for a lot of people, and I will be a better partner when it comes to helping states like South Dakota meet their educational needs."

"Well Senator Obama believes that we should fix and fund No Child Left Behind," Peterson says. "Certainly the aims and goals of the program were accurate but the way in which it was created and functioning aren't working right now."

KSFY tried to get senator Obama to comment on South Dakota issues. Campaign officials told us he couldn't because he was on a long flight to Oregon. They say he is definitely coming to South Dakota, and it's just a matter of days before we know when.

On Thursday, Senator Clinton also commented on former Senator George McGovern switching his endorsement to Sen. Obama.

"Well he's been a friend of mine for a long time and he'll remain a friend," Clinton says. "I just respectfully disagree that we should end these elections before the people in South Dakota have had a chance to vote."