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Election 2014: Pres. Obama comes to Milwaukee ready to campaign for Mary Burke
Election 2014: Pres. Obama comes to Milwaukee ready to campaign for Mary Burke
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- With exactly one week until Election Day, Air Force One touched down in Milwaukee on Tuesday, October 28th, and President Barack Obama took part in a private fundraiser downtown, before campaigning for Democratic challenger for governor, Mary Burke. This, as Governor Scott Walker and his supporters continued to campaign, with Governor Walker again saying with the exception of Chris Christie, he doesn't need help from outside the state.
"One week, Milwaukee. One week until we elect a new governor," President Obama told the crowd at North Division High School.
President Obama made a stop at Umami Moto in Milwaukee for a private fundraiser with 30 guests -- each paying $16,000 for a plate. Then he made his way to North Division High School, where he rallied with and for Mary Burke.
The point of President Obama's visit was to boost voter turnout in the city of Milwaukee -- something Democrats view as critical to a successful strategy. He also pushed early voting.
"You can vote all week," President Obama said.
Though President Obama, with slipping job approval ratings, has been viewed as a liability by some Democrats across the country, it was thought his enormous popularity among African-Americans in Wisconsin could help drive up turnout. He spoke Tuesday in a Milwaukee ward where 99 percent voted for him in 2012.
President Obama told the crowd of more than 3,500 at North Division High School that Wisconsin is coming up short in the national economic recovery.
"Wisconsin lags the rest of the country in job creation," President Obama said.
"Governor Walker? He just doesn't get it," Mary Burke said.
The rally went off script for a moment Tuesday when a Burke supporter confronted President Obama over immigration.
Mike Lowe: "You obviously got the President's attention. What did you think of his response?"
"Garbage," the woman said.
After the exchange, the President continued his argument that Wisconsin would be better off with Mary Burke as governor.
"I think it will help me, or else I wouldn't have done it. I welcome the President coming here. He is still popular, particularly in certain areas. What this is going to come down to is the people of Wisconsin, and how they're going to vote and whether they think I'm better able to lead this state than Governor Walker," Burke said.
President Obama's campaign visit drew a huge crowd, but not everyone stuck around to hear the whole speech. Minutes after the President took the stage, some started to leave North Division High School. FOX6's cameras caught people making their way to the door.
The President didn't take the stage until after 7:00 p.m., and many had been standing in line since 2:00 p.m.
Gov. Scott Walker continued his statewide bus tour Tuesday and said with the exception of a visit from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, he'll only campaign with people from Wisconsin.
"I don't need people from outside of the state. This is about me and the people of the state of Wisconsin. It's not about bringing in surrogates like my opponent is doing. The reason she's doing it is because that's where her power base is," Governor Walker saud,
In a close race, both candidates say turnout will make the difference.
"They want someone who's going to fight every single day for the hard-working taxpayers of the state," Governor Walker said.
READ IT: President Obama's remarks during Mary Burke campaign rally
READ IT: President Obama speaks to those in overflow room at North Division High School
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