Safety precautions expected for Pence rally in Pewaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Trump campaign's return to campaign rallies includes a Vice President Mike Pence stop in Pewaukee Tuesday, June 23.

UWM Professor Mordecai Lee says, just like in sports, it’s difficult to replace a physical crowd.

“If we’re going to watch a Packer game with nobody in Lambeau Field, that’s going to feel different than if we’re watching a game with people. And so, there’s some magic of, even if we’re watching on television, of having people reacting to it.”

Lee says holding rallies despite the pandemic, and Biden’s current strategy of holding virtual events, are both political gambles.

“Let’s say President Trump and Vice President Pence do events, and Joe Biden is still sitting in his basement," Lee said. "Does he look like he’s being carefully cautious, or does he look like a scaredy-cat?”

The Trump campaign has announced temperature check, masks, hand sanitizer and health waivers for the rally in Tulsa, but details for Pewaukee have not been announced.

“We haven’t had the briefings yet as to what precautions are going to be taken, although we know some will be taken," Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson said.

The Republican Party of Wisconsin says the campaign is hoping for better results in the Milwaukee suburbs than Trump received in 2016.

“We can put up better numbers in Waukesha than we have in the past," Jefferson said. "So I think the administration recognizes that as well, the campaign recognizes that, and I think that’s why you’re seeing the vice president coming to that area.”

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and close at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. You do have to RSVP for tickets, which are first come first serve.