Former President Barack Obama visited Madison, Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state, two weeks before the election. In his speech, he passionately criticized Donald Trump, portraying his words as dangerous, extreme, and “shameful.” Obama’s aim was to energize the liberal base in this stronghold of the state.
Obama addressed a large crowd, comprising primarily of anxious Democrats concerned about the tightness of the race. In his speech, he not only urged the audience to back Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov.
Tim Walz but also encouraged them to take an active role in the election process by volunteering, canvassing, and mobilizing their friends and neighbors to vote.
“I can empathize with those who are seeking change and wanting to disrupt the status quo. I truly do. However, what baffles me is how anyone could believe that Donald Trump would bring about positive change for the people,” stated Obama.
“I find it incomprehensible because there is no concrete evidence to suggest that this man has anyone’s interests in mind apart from his own.”
Wisconsin’s early voting kicked off with enthusiasm on its first day. In the previous election, the state had favored Joe Biden by a slim margin of over 20,000 votes.
When you go to the polls, Obama urges voters to reflect on fundamental values. To illustrate his point, he refers to Hurricane Helene, a destructive storm that wreaked havoc on western North Carolina.
He highlights the fact that Biden and Harris journeyed to the state to engage with local authorities and assess the extent of the destruction.
According to Obama, Donald Trump and his running mate are fabricating stories about the Biden administration withholding aid and distributing it to undocumented workers while neglecting Republican areas.
Obama criticized these false claims, stating that even the MAGA Republicans in those regions have called it a blatant lie. He expressed his disappointment, questioning when such deceitful tactics became acceptable, regardless of one’s political stance.
During the week, Trump visited North Carolina to personally assess the extent of the damage.
Before Obama took the stage, Walz spoke to the audience and criticized Elon Musk, billionaire and one of Trump’s most prominent supporters.
During his speech, Walz couldn’t resist mentioning Joe Biden’s running mate, Elon Musk, which elicited laughter from the audience. Recalling a lively outdoor rally where Musk was seen enthusiastically leaping with his arms raised, Walz humorously remarked, “Elon’s on that stage, jumping around, skipping like a dips—.”
According to Walz, the richest man in the world is actively using his wealth to support Donald Trump’s election campaign. He claims that Trump has even promised to grant Musk power over government regulations and business oversight if he is elected.
According to Walz, Donald Trump’s promise of corruption is evident to the American people. The Trump campaign has yet to provide a response to the request for comment.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, the crowd brimmed with excitement, expressing their support through cheers and chants as the speakers took the stage.
One of the recipients of their fervent applause was Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who finds herself embroiled in a closely contested re-election campaign against her Republican opponent, Eric Hovde. Many Democrats in attendance voiced their worries about the close outcome of the election.
“I have some concerns,” expressed Denise King, expressing her worry about the close race. After conducting some canvassing, she observed a mixed response from people, with some supporting Trump while others favoring Harris. However, she remains optimistic that if voters turn out, the state will ultimately secure a victory for Harris.”
Mary Mixon, another voter, expressed her observation of the widespread enthusiasm for Harris. However, she also admitted feeling nervous about the close margin-of-error race.
“I have concerns about the influence that Donald Trump has had on people,” expressed Mixon. “It’s difficult to trust someone who consistently spreads falsehoods. It’s evident that he is manipulating others for his own gain.”
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler emphasized the closeness of the race but expressed confidence in the party’s organizational skills and canvassing efforts, including in rural areas of the state. He also found encouragement in the visits of Harris and Walz, who have targeted battleground regions of Wisconsin.
“It’s currently a 50-50 chance, but if I had to choose, I wouldn’t switch positions with the Republicans,” Wikler stated in an interview. “We have an incredible advantage on our side with the grassroots energy, our well-structured organization, and the exceptional surrogates we have. Moreover, our candidates have a remarkable ability to effectively communicate a message that appeals to a broad audience.”
