As the first day of early voting kicked off in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin, Democratic heavy-hitters Barack Obama and Tim Walz took the stage at a Madison rally to energize voters and lambast the Trump campaign. The former president questioned Trump’s mental acuity while vice presidential hopeful Walz pulled no punches, calling Trump ally Elon Musk a “dipshit.”
Obama: “You’d Be Worried If Grandpa Was Acting Like This”
Obama, who carried Wisconsin in both his presidential runs, spent much of his speech attacking Trump’s character and capacity to lead. He likened the former president’s meandering oratory to that of Fidel Castro and expressed concern over his mental state:
“When he’s not complaining, he’s trying to sell you stuff. Who does that? You’re running for president, and you’re hawking merchandise.”
“He calls himself the father of IVF. I have no idea what that means – you don’t either. You’d be worried if Grandpa was acting like this. But this is coming from someone who wants unchecked power.”
The 44th president also touted his signature healthcare law, acknowledging that while it didn’t fix everything, it expanded coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. He criticized Trump for abandoning pandemic preparedness plans, leading to more Covid-19 deaths.
Walz Warns of Musk, Trump Threats to Democracy
Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, took aim at Trump ally and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He cautioned that the billionaire could end up regulating his own companies in a Trump administration:
“He’s talking about sending the military against people who don’t support him. He’s naming names.”
Walz also slammed Trump’s recent PR stunt serving McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, calling it “fake orders for fake customers” and accusing the GOP candidate of “cosplaying” as a working-class champion.
Early Voting Surge in Badger State
The Madison rally, held in a growing Democratic stronghold, aimed to spur early voting in a state known for razor-thin margins. According to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, over 326,000 Wisconsinites have already cast ballots as of October 21, with that number expected to climb rapidly now that in-person early voting has started.
Since Trump sowed doubts about mail voting in 2020, Republicans have grappled with getting their base to embrace early and absentee ballots – a shift the former president himself has struggled to message consistently. In speeches, he alternately encourages and disparages the practice.
Wisconsin’s Key Role in 2024 Race
With its 10 electoral votes and history of close contests, Wisconsin is poised to play an outsized role in choosing the next president. Current polling shows Harris and Trump deadlocked, suggesting a last-minute get-out-the-vote blitz could prove decisive.
Some rally attendees, like retirees Deb and Rod Merritt, were spurred to volunteer by the high stakes and newfound free time. “I’m definitely nervous,” Deb admitted, though she found the door-knocking experience in the bellwether Sauk County heartening.
Wisconsin Democratic chair Ben Wikler stressed the importance of running up the score to hedge against polling errors that have favored Trump in the past. “For anyone who’s knocking on doors, if you think for a second you’ve got it in the bag, then go and sign up for another volunteer shift to drive it even higher.”
As the battle for this perennial swing state enters its final days, the Obama-Walz event made clear that neither side is taking Wisconsin – or the White House – for granted.
