Gov. Walker, Barrett make final arguments to voters

MADISON -- The final day in Wisconsin's gubernatorial recall campaign, before voters head to the polls starting Tuesday morning, June 5th, was a busy one for Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Both candidates spent time meeting with voters in western Wisconsin Monday.

Gov. Walker and Barrett barnstormed the state Monday, but their paths crossed in LaCrosse. In recent history, no Democrat has won in Wisconsin without also winning along the Mississippi.

"Western Wisconsin is extremely important. Congressman Ron Kind and I have talked about this for months, and we've put a lot of focus on western Wisconsin. We have focused a lot of our energy here, and I think you're going to see that paying off tomorrow," Barrett said.

With Congressman Kind at his side, Barrett rallied supporters in a coffee shop in downtown LaCrosse.

The region is an electoral battleground that could go blue or red in any given election. It is home of one of the Senate recalls that flipped from Republican to Democratic control last summer.

As if to emphasize how hotly contested western Wisconsin is, Gov. Scott Walker was in LaCrosse within an hour of Barrett's appearance. Gov. Walker greeted supporters and even one union member, along with touring an RV business.

Gov. Walker said Monday that the battle for votes is everywhere.

"I think it's all over. I started out this morning early in Fitchburg near Madison, I'm here for the umpteenth time in this campaign the Coulee Region, I'll be in Eau Claire later, I'll be in Steven's point, then Green Bay and I'm ending up in Milwaukee.  I'm not conceding any vote in any part of the state," Gov. Walker said.

After a four-week campaign that seems to have lasted four years, the candidates are making their closing arguments to voters.

Barrett says he'll restore civility and integrity to the Wisconsin Capitol.

"It started on an issue of integrity when the governor had a surprise attack, and it ends on an issue of integrity because now he's embattled by this investigation that has clearly implicated key members of his administration," Barrett said.

"I think we want to move forward. We've laid the foundation for success. We made decisions that balanced our budgets so our kids aren't dealing with deficits. We went from losing jobs before I took office to gaining jobs now. I think that's the most powerful thing we can point to," Gov. Walker said.

The latest poll from Public Policy Polling, released Monday, June 4th, says its final survey shows Gov. Walker still has a lead, but it has shrunk to 50 to 47.

The group's poll three weeks ago showed Gov. Walker with a five-point lead.

CLICK HERE for more on the final poll from Public Policy Polling.

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