After three high-profile campaign appearances by heavy hitters in both political parties, I have to wonder what, if anything, our Wisconsin candidates gained from them. Ostensibly, the visits from Senator Bernie Sanders, President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama were supposed to boost their parties’ respective candidates–but if anything, they magnified some weaknesses–and only served to boost the “big name” instead.
We started last week with the Bernie Sanders appearance in Milwaukee–held on a college campus. Tony Evers did not appear at this rally–although those there were encouraged to vote for him too. Tammy Baldwin gave her usual speech in her “I’m your mother and I’m very disappointed in you” tone–with half-hearted attempts from the crowd to whip up some cheers. Then Bernie took the stage to thunderous applause from the college kids. He took a few minutes to attack Governor Scott Walker and to tell everyone what a great ally Senator Baldwin is–then he launched into his promoting his own “Medicare For All” program (which Senator Baldwin has distanced herself from on the campaign trail) and his desire to raise taxes on the rich (which Baldwin has also underplayed). Then he leaves the stage to chants of “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” and you wonder, whose campaign rally was this?
Then came the President’s appearance in Mosinee. House Speaker Paul Ryan had to ask for quiet while trying to condemn the mailing of bombs to high-profile Democrats around the country–but the Trump crowd would have none of it. Governor Walker gave his usual stump speech putting a rosy hue on everything going on in Wisconsin and got a relatively warm response. State Senator Leah Vukmir then took the stage and delivered her usual “I’m your mother and I’m very upset with you” speech. And then it was time for the President to arrive (a half-hour late). He reminded everyone that he beat Scott Walker in the race for the Republican nomination in 2016. He mispronounced Tony Evers’ name and Vukmir’s name–TWICE (chuckling about it)–and then launched into a rambling speech about Democrats, some building that he built really cheap, his accomplishments and of course, how the media lies about him all the time. It was all met with thunderous applause and he returned to Air Force One with the music blasting so loud that people had to cover their ears.
Former President Barack Obama wrapped up the week with a stop at a Milwaukee high school. Senator Baldwin was there again playing the “disappointed mom”. Tony Evers showed up for this one, delivering his rousing stump speech that reminds everyone of a tenured college professor teaching a 100-level class for the 35th year. (Kudos for the National Rifle Association for calling Evers’ campaign “sleepy” in their TV ad). And then out came President Obama getting everyone fired up and ready to go. He too bashed Governor Walker and then he also mispronounced Tony Evers’ name–before reminding everyone of the all the “great things” that he accomplished. I’m sure everyone in attendance was ready to vote for a third Obama term–but weren’t quite as excited as for the candidates that are actually on the ballot.
There’s an old adage in show business “Never work with kids or animals”–because they will always upstage you. Perhaps state candidates should add “national party stars” to that list.
