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So I wasn't able to watch all the speeches last night and I plan on watching Elizabeth Warren's speech on line this morning and watch the rest of Bill Clinton's speech today as well. I will say that I really enjoyed Barbara Lee and Emanuel Cleaver's speeches last night. But I am looking forward to hearing Wisconsin U.S. Senate candidate, Tammy Baldwin, speak tonight. I was reading some local Wisconsin newspapers about Baldwin's campaign and whether or not her speech will help her in the general election against Republican Tommy Thompson. I loved this piece from the Wisconsin State Journal:
http://host.madison.com/...
What are we in store for tonight from Baldwin?
Baldwin said her speech — this is her fourth at the Democrats' convention, but her first that will expand beyond health care — will serve as a counterpoint to Ryan's and those of other high-profile Wisconsin Republicans and that party's convention.
"Americans last week heard from some prominent Wisconsinites: Gov. Scott Walker, Reince Priebus, Paul Ryan," she said. "But I am going to introduce them to the Wisconsin I know. I am going to talk about fairness and hard work and the importance of a strong middle class."
Baldwin said any part of the speech dedicated to health care will likely stick to the issue of Medicare, which could mean a barb or two aimed at Ryan, who has proposed replacing the popular program with vouchers for seniors to buy insurance.
So it's sounding like she is going to emphasize the importance of Medicare in tonight's speech. This could be a very effective strategy because it will hit Paul Ryan and the GOP very hard on their vote to turn Medicare into a voucher program. She can Tommy Thompson to Paul Ryan and argue that Thompson will give Senate Republicans support in ending Medicare as we know it.
Still skeptical about here chances of winning? Here are some segment from the article that might change your mind:
"She is a great campaigner," said Mordecai Lee, a UW-Milwaukee political science professor and former Democratic state lawmaker. "She is charismatic, and fabulous at working crowds. The question will be if that translates into support in state. That's going to be tough."
Baldwin is used to beating long odds. She served eight years on the Dane County Board before joining the state Assembly in 1993. Five years later, she was a surprise winner in the 1998 Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District, defeating a local state senator and the county executive.
She won by being a charismatic, frequently underestimated campaigner and by having a strong volunteer and fundraising network organized by the national gay rights group Human Rights Campaign. Baldwin went on to become the first Wisconsin woman and the first person to win election to Congress while being openly gay.
During her time in Washington, D.C., Baldwin has earned the confidence of Democratic leaders, honed a reputation as a skillful negotiator and laid the groundwork to push through legislation on health care, gay rights and the environment.
Mark Pocan, who is running for Baldwin's congressional seat also had this to say:
"Tammy's speech will give her the kind of exposure she needs in her race," said state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, the Democratic nominee to fill Baldwin's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. "I have always said that if we could get Tammy to meet everybody in the state face-to-face, she would win by a landslide."
Well, the world is ready to meet Tammy Baldwin and Wisconsin, you are going to love her. Lets upgrade both the Senate and House and get two great voices of the middle class, women's rights, LBGT rights, human rights and the environment elected this year:
Tammy Baldwin:
https://secure.actblue.com/...
Mark Pocan:
https://secure.actblue.com/...
10:02 AM PT: Lets really stick it to the GOP, especially in Wisconsin, and lets take their golden boy, Paul Ryan's seat too! Donate to Rob Zerban's campaign as well!
https://secure.actblue.com/...
3:27 PM PT: Tammy Baldwin will be taking that stage at 5:30 PM EST! Tune in!