Wisconsin's pivotal clash: Harris and Trump face off in Milwaukee
The fierce battle for votes in Wisconsin continues. On Thursday, Bill Clinton encouraged people in Milwaukee to vote for Kamala Harris. The former president is tasked with rallying voters to support her and ensure her victory in this key state. On Friday, the candidates will hold rival rallies just a few kilometres apart.
Wisconsin is a state located in the Great Lakes region in the north-central part of the United States. It is renowned for its landscapes, forests, and numerous lakes, including Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The state capital is Madison, but the largest city is Milwaukee, known for its rich industrial tradition.
Wisconsin is also one of several so-called "swing states," which can go either way. These are regions in the United States where support for the two main parties—the Democrats and the Republicans—is so close that the election outcome is unpredictable.
In the US electoral system, known as the Electoral College system, the winner in a given state usually takes all the electoral votes from that state (except for Maine and Nebraska). Therefore, states with a large number of electoral votes—such as Florida, Pennsylvania, or Michigan—can determine the outcome of a candidate's nationwide victory.
Main swing states (and the number of electoral votes):
- Pennsylvania - 19 votes
- Michigan - 15 votes
- Arizona - 11 votes
- Wisconsin - 10 votes
- Georgia - 16 votes
- Nevada - 6 votes
- North Carolina - 16 votes
Wisconsin holds 10 electoral votes, making the battle here incredibly fierce. In 2020, the state was decided by a margin of less than 1 percent of the votes. Current President Joe Biden won here against Trump by just 20,000 votes, with nearly 6 million inhabitants in the state.
This state's Poll indicate a slight lead for Kamala Harris, though the difference is still within the margin of error. The best example of how intense the fight for Wisconsin is can be seen in the two candidates' plans for this Friday. Two rallies will take place simultaneously: Harris's and Trump's. This is an unprecedented situation in the current campaign.
Democrats' offensive
- Kamala Harris is aiming for a strong win in the state's largest three counties, says WP's Charles Benson, chief political reporter for local station TMJ4. Of the 72 counties in Milwaukee, about 60 are red (Republican - ed.), he adds. According to him, her tactic in Wisconsin is to outperform Trump in the two largest counties: Milwaukee and Dane. Since she won't be able to win the rest of the state, she must collect votes where there are the most residents.
On Thursday, we got a taste of the battle for Democratic votes. Former President Bill Clinton sought support from the African American community in this state. He appeared in Milwaukee at the Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts. The meeting was organized for about 100 people, with its main goal to reach out to influential leaders — including pastors — within the local Black community. Wirtualna Polska participated in it.
- I can't be with my grandkids today for Halloween because it's about their future, said the former US president to the gathered crowd. Clinton assured them that his visit's purpose was "to explain things to people," not to give a speech. The Democrat touched on many topics, including inflation, the economic situation, and healthcare.
- The country's future is at stake, and it may be decided in Wisconsin, he assured.
- I've already cast my vote. I voted for Kamala Harris. I think it's time for a woman president, says Romel, a participant in the meeting with Clinton, to Wirtualna Polska.
- I'm 62 years old and I clearly remember Trump's presidency. He left us during the pandemic, towards which he had a very reserved attitude, resulting in the death of over a million Americans, he said unequivocally.
- We support Kamala Harris, also declare a couple present at the meeting.
- Donald Trump is completely out of control. He can cause great harm not only in domestic affairs but also in international relations, argues Michael.
- He's terrible. I know this choice can have huge consequences for future decades. I think he's terribly unpredictable and we can't leave things to chance. We need a steady hand at the wheel for the next four years, Kathrin, his wife, interjects.
Super Friday in Milwaukee
On Friday, the eyes of the entire world will be on Milwaukee, where the candidates will organize rallies just a few kilometres apart. Residents unanimously say: it will be madness.
Trump's rally will take place at the Fiserv Forum, the venue where the Republicans held their convention this year. It was here that Trump first appeared after the unsuccessful attack on him.
The candidates also visited the state on Wednesday. The Republican was up north, while the Democrat campaigned in the state capital, Madison.
On Friday, Kamala Harris chose Wisconsin State Fair Park for her rally. She will be supported on-site not only by politicians but also by celebrities. For instance, Cardi B — one of the world's most popular rappers — is planned as a speaker, and stars of the local music industry are also expected to appear on stage.
In this area, key cities such as Milwaukee and Madison usually support the Democrats, mainly because of the more progressive and liberal urban electorates. Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin, is particularly liberal and progressive, making it a stronghold for Democrats.
Meanwhile, rural areas and smaller towns, especially in the north and west of the state, lean more toward Republicans, favouring conservative values.
From 2000 to 2012, Wisconsin consistently voted for the Democrats. Both Al Gore (in the 2000 election) and John Kerry (in the 2004 election) won the state, albeit by a narrow margin. In 2008 and 2012, Barack Obama achieved relatively clear victories there, especially in 2008 when he had about a 14-percentage-point lead over his rival. This demonstrated the Democrats' strong popularity at the time.
The 2016 election was a turning point. Donald Trump won in Wisconsin by about 23,000 votes (less than a 1-percentage-point lead) over Hillary Clinton. Trump gained significant popularity among white working-class voters, in part due to his promises to rebuild the industry, which played a significant role in rural regions where vanishing jobs were a major issue.
In 2020, Joe Biden reclaimed Wisconsin for the Democrats, defeating Trump by about 20,000 votes. His current Vice President, a candidate in this election, undoubtedly counts on a similar result.
