Obama campaigns in Milwaukee, urges voters to vote 'because Democracy is on the line'

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Ten days before the midterm election, former President Barack Obama campaigned on behalf of Democrats in Milwaukee, urging voters to head to the polls as the governorship and U.S. Senate seat on the line.  

Democrats welcomed the party's biggest asset to North Division High School, located where the state's largest Black population lives, a crucial demographic of voters Obama is hoping drive up turnout.

Obama urged voters to make their voices heard on Nov. 8th and suggested Republicans are not serious about fixing the economy or tacking rising crimes.

"They're not interested in solving problems. They are interested in making you angry and then finding someone to blame. They're hoping that will district you and then they don't have any answers of their own," Obama said to the crowd.

The former president echoed a recurring theme among Democrats in stating "democracy is on the line" this election. He stumped for Democratic Senate candidate Mandela Barnes who's trying to oust Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and Gov. Tony Evers who's up against GOP business executive Tim Michels.

Polls have Evers locked in a close race with Michels, while Johnson has a slight lead over Barnes. Obama criticized Republicans' policy proposals by targeting Johnson's push to reform Social Security and Medicare and defending the 2017 tax bill that largely benefited the wealthy and large corporations.

"If [Johnson] understands private planes more than he understands making sure seniors who worked all their lives can retire with dignity and respect -- he's not the person who's thinking about you…and he should not be your Senator from Wisconsin," said Obama.

Obama also attacked Michels' views on abortion and his desire to sign legislation that would allow parents to sue school districts over what's taught in the classroom.

He called Evers "tough" for vetoing GOP proposals such as overhauling elections and giving parents more control over K-12 schools by "keeping Republicans from driving the car off the road."

Republican National Committee spokeswoman Rachel Reisner said in a statement, "After a third failed term of the Obama-Biden agenda, Barack Obama isn’t the golden ticket Wisconsin Democrats think he is. All Wisconsin families will see is more crime, more economic uncertainty, and more financial pain if they elect rubber stamps like Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes.”

It marked Obama's third visit to North Division after he headlined rallies in 2018 for then-Democratic governor candidate Tony Evers and for Democrats up and down the ballot in 2014.

His visit comes as enthusiasm for voting this year compared to 2018 is lagging among non-white and voters, according to statewide polling.  

Milwaukee resident Gary Owens, who attended the event, believes Obama's visit will have an impact on Black turnout.

"I think it gives an extra push because a lot of black voters in the inner-city love Obama here," said Owens. "I think it's going to impact voter turnout."

Cindy Waldschmidt, a local voter, emphasized Obama's presence in the battleground state highlights the importance of voting.

"I think it's awesome he's out here because if you want to have a voice you have to have a vote and I think he's trying to bring that message across," Waldschmidt said. "This election cycle is extremely important to bring our country together because there's a lot of division right now."

Obama's string of campaign spots across the county for Democrats comes as the party is trying to overcome a strong effort by Republicans to upend Democrats' narrow majorities in the House and Senate -- and Wisconsin could be the tipping point to decide which party controls the Senate.

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