Barack Obama went to the Badger State on Saturday. We all know what the favorite tipple of Wisconsin is; nonetheless, it looks to me like Obama was drinking up a milkshake.
Obama cheered during rally at Summerfest grounds
MILWAUKEE — There were no drums or guitars on the main stage, but the thousands of Democrats who packed the Summerfest music festival grounds Saturday greeted President Barack Obama like a rock star.
Taking the podium in a shirt with sleeves rolled, Obama was greeted by long and thunderous cheers.
“You guys sound like you’re fired up already,” the president said. “It is good to be back in Milwaukee.”
BTW, nice slideshow available at that link, including obligatory pictures of Obama and lots of Wisconsin's second contribution to the national cuisine.
Here's my favorite:
Sometimes local journos can be a bit excitable, so lets have a quick look at how a grumpy realist from Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal covered it:
Obama Makes Pitch to Wisconsin in the Rain
President Barack Obama worked Saturday to shore up support in Wisconsin, a state his campaign didn’t even view as a battleground until recently. At a large rally in Milwaukee and a pair of fundraisers, Mr. Obama brought his case that he, and not Republican rival Mitt Romney, would protect the middle class.
As he addressed the crowd estimated at 18,000 people at the Henry Maier Festival Park, the rain came down and the wind picked up.
“I know you’re getting wet, but I’ve got one more thing to say,” he said. “A little rain never hurt anybody.” He went on to make several additional points before wrapping it up with an added campaign promise: “The sun is going to come out!”
Near the top of his remarks, the president offered up what is becoming a standard dig at Mr. Romney’s closed-door comments that nearly half the country– the Obama supporters–are freeloaders who see themselves as victims.
“We can’t move forward if we’ve got leaders who write off half the nation, calling them a bunch of victims who will never take responsibility for their lives,” he said. “I don’t see a lot of victims here today. I see hardworking Wisconsinites… We don’t believe anybody is entitled to success, we don’t believe government should help folks who don’t try to help themselves. But we do believe in something called opportunity.”
So where was Mitt? Fundraising in California.
Pity. I'd prefer that he try to hold a rally in Joe Biden's patch. That would be a hoot.
So how is that Ryan pick working out, anyway?
Predictably, Wisconsin Republicans are not best pleased:
Walker Criticizes Romney Campaign - RCP link
Wis. Gov. Walker unhappy with Romney campaign strategy - The Hill link
Thompson blames Romney for his poor poll numbers in Wisconsin - The Hill link
Republicans, including Tommy Thompson, keep sniping at Romney - Eu Clair Leader-Telegram link