Here, watch me tie myself into knots over this one:

I’d originally titled this post “Do we really want to criticize Obama over this?” But…

MADISON — It was a quip, a jibe from an unrepentant Chicago Bears fan.

President Barack Obama on a campaign stop Wednesday to Cascade, Iowa, about 25 miles from the Wisconsin border, took another shot at Green Bay Packer fans.

“I generally don’t interact with Packers — except when I’m in Wisconsin,” the president joked , according to a tweet from Bloomberg reporter Margaret Talev, who is embedded with the Obama campaign.

The problem, Republicans say, is Obama has kept his distance from Packer Land, during the heat of the presidential campaign season.

“President Obama is attacking the Packers and flying over the state? What’s next, preferring French cheese and Stella Artois?” said Nicole Tieman, spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee in Wisconsin.

I suppose we have to criticize Obama for ignoring Wisconsin (as he did all through the recall election, despite numerous opportunities to visit). It would, of course, be better for my side if he simply stayed away…all the better for us to win Wisconsin’s ten electoral votes!

But the voters have to know he’s ignoring us, or else it won’t work. But the more we complain about it – thus informing more Wisconin voters that Obama hates them, their state, and their football team – the more likely Obama will respond by visiting Wisconsin, thus negating the whole damned thing.

So I guess the thing to do is: make it look like Obama’s only visiting because of the criticism. Yeah, that’s it.

The good news here is: Paul Ryan can say whatever he damn well wants about the Chicago Bears. It’s not like Illinois’ votes are hanging in the balance or anything.