At debate watch parties, a clear view into divide over which issues matter most
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Mayor Cavalier Johnson repeatedly shouted as he addressed a group of voters on the second floor of a brewery Thursday night. Johnson was tasked with firing up Democrats ahead of a the first of two presidential debates between President Joe Biden and the Republican challenger, former president Donald Trump.
The Biden campaign held a watch party at Broken Bat Brewing in the Walker's Point neighborhood. Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Milwaukee County held two smaller gatherings; one took place on the city's north side targeting Black voters while the other was held at the chapter's office in West Allis.
Conversations with voters and officials who gathered at the watch parties offered a clear window into how Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans are split over which issues matter most in this pivotal swing stage.
At the Democratic watch party, the headliner attendees noted the economy is a major issue, and they pointed to an inflation rate that continues to decline after a 2022 spike, even if the 3% rate is not back at the sweet spot of 2%.
Beyond that, Democrats were quick to list two other issues: Abortion and the threat to democracy Mr. Trump poses amid his numerous false claims of a stolen election.
"I want to have a functioning democracy that I live in. I want to have a functioning democracy for my kids," Johnson said. "I've got two daughters; I don't want them to have less rights than what their mother and grandmothers have had."
At the GOP watch party in West Allis, State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) said inflation was the overwhelming concern of voters she's talked to in Milwaukee's south shore suburbs.
She maintained questions about abortion rights would not have Mr. Trump and other Republicans on the defense like they were in 2022 in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
"Thus far, I haven't heard the abortion issue at the doors. In the past, it was an issue," Rodriguez said. "Two years ago, if you were to ask me, that was an issue, but it's not something I'm hearing these days."
In a new Marquette Law School poll released Wednesday, the top three issues among Wisconsin voters are the economy, immigration and abortion. 31% of respondents said the economy was their top priority, 19% said immigration and 15% said abortion.
As for Thursday's debate, both Democrats and Republicans mentioned Mr. Trump's personality when asked what advice they'd give the candidates and those watching.
Hilario DeLeon, chairman of the Milwaukee County GOP, said he hoped voters would look past Mr. Trump's remarks and focus on the policy differences between the candidates, particularly on federal spending and tax policy.
"I think he needs to remind people about his policies. Policies over personality," DeLeon said. "I tell that to people all the time. When people take a step back from the person President Trump is, there's two versions of President Trump."
State Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) said she would advise the president to not let Mr. Trump's temperament throw him off.
"We've all seen what former President Trump is capable of doing when he loses his temper," Sinicki said. "And I think that President Biden needs to stay level, stay calm."
The debate is a key stop on the road to the Republican National Convention, which opens two weeks from Monday, on July 15, at Fiserv Forum.