Wisconsin continues to be front and center in the American political arena.
On Tuesday the Democratic Party’s ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a massive rally in Milwaukee. Democrats here announced they have had a tremendously successful month of organizing and announced some staggering statistics.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Dairy State continued to play a prominent role at the national convention.
And then, Governor Tony Evers spoke and…well more on that in a bit.
Harris, Walz in Milwaukee for campaign rally, watch party during DNC | WISN
With the roll call livestreamed from the DNC in Chicago to a packed Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Harris formally accepted the party nomination. “Coach Walz and I have been nominated to be the next vice president and president of the United States,” Harris said.
Harris ground game in Wisconsin: 42,000 new volunteers, 600,000 doors | The Cap Times
Since Harris took over the campaign for president a mere four weeks ago, more than 42,000 volunteers have signed up to help her secure reelection in Wisconsin, according to the Harris-Walz campaign.
These volunteers have collectively made phone calls to or knocked on the doors of 600,000 Wisconsinites, the campaign told the Cap Times. The campaign runs 48 offices in 43 Wisconsin counties — 33 of which former President Donald Trump won in 2020.
That eagerness to join the cause has spread beyond the campaign ranks. Wendy Strout, Wisconsin state director for LGBTQ+ rights group Human Rights Campaign, told the Cap Times Tuesday that her organization has seen an uptick in volunteers wanting to help get out the vote in November.
“We’ve seen so much enthusiasm,” Strout said.
Governor Evers tried to be enthusiastic. He did his “normal guy swearing schtick” and then, well…
Tony Evers’ adventurous roll-call moment at DNC got social media buzzing| Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Evers began by shouting out a litany of Wisconsin sports teams — some met with a smattering of boos inside the Illinois borders — and invoked one of his familiar sayings by noting he was “jazzed as hell” to announce where Wisconsin stood.
From there it got … interesting.
“Thank you Badger Jason Rae for all your good work,” Evers began, referring to the Rice Lake native and Democratic National Committee secretary who moderated the roll call. “As a proud governor of the great state of Wisconsin, we’re home to the Green Bay Packers. We’re home of the Wisconsin Badgers. We’re home of the Milwaukee Brewers. And the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as our best U.S. senator, Tammy Baldwin, and our great congregational folks, Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan.
“I’m here because I’m jazzed as hell to announce that Wisconsin casts one vote present and 94 votes for … for … for … whoa, where are we? Got me going here. Former Wisconsinite, former state … oh my God … I …”
It was at this point that Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, shouted, “We love you, Tony!” while standing to Evers’ left, prompting chants of “Tony! Tony!”
“Ninety-four votes for … I’ll get there, Jason. I’ll get there. Ninety-four votes for former Wisconsinite, vice president and our next president of the United States of America, Kamala Hah- … Harris.”
You need to click on the headline above and watch the video to truly appreciate the cringe.
Meanwhile, the GOP counter programing had vice presidential nominee, Ohio Senator JD Vance, in Kenosha.
WATCH: Vance talks about crime and safety in Kenosha, Wisconsin| PBS News
Vance used the setting to attack Kamala Harris as soft on crime. He said that feeling safe is an American birthright and promised that he and Trump would end sanctuary cities for people in the country illegally, deport those who are violent and push for the death penalty for drug dealers.
He also called for tougher prosecutors and pledged to end frivolous lawsuits against police.
“All this stuff is common sense,” he said.
Here are links to the non-DNCl Wisconsin headlines for today.
Democrats ask Wisconsin Supreme Court to boot Green Party from ballot | WPR
Wisconsin task force on health care workers wants more money | The Center Square
Uncertainty looms over whether the Packers’ starters will play in the preseason finale | WLUK
DNR announces new online tool for analyzing water quality on lakes and streams | Dairyland Sentinel
Best of luck to you on this hump day. We hope it is productive and moves quickly. Check the main site for new features and breaking news, and we’ll be back tomorrow with more Key Reads.
