On Tuesday, at an energetic, but not completely packed, joint campaign rally to mark early voting in the swing state of Wisconsin, former President Obama and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made their case for the Democratic ticket while lambasting the behavior and character of former Trump just two weeks before Election Day.
The rally took place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, which can accommodate more than 10,000 people. The event space was not completely filled: only about two-thirds of the seats and floor space were occupied.
Walz took aim at Trump and questioned his ally, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, who Walz said was “the real running mate.”
Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks at a campaign rally in Madison, Wisconsin, October 22, 2024.
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images
“So look, Elon is on this stage, jumping around, jumping like an idiot on these things,” Walz said with a laugh.
“Seriously, where is Senator Vance, after he was asked the simplest question in the world during the debate: Did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election? And after two weeks, he finally said, “No, he didn’t.” “That’s where he spends his time,” Walz said.
Obama then took the stage and hugged Walz.
Former President Barack Obama greets Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz during a campaign rally in Madison, Wisconsin, October 22, 2024.
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images
“I love this guy. I love this man. The kind of person who should be in politics,” Obama said.
Three times during Obama’s remarks at the Madison rally, which was billed as an event in which Democrats pushed early voting on the first day in-person polls were open in Wisconsin, the former president used his old and famous saying: “Don’t boo, vote!”
The crowd began chanting “Vote!” » at the end of Obama’s remarks.
“So whether this election gives you excitement, fear, hope or frustration or anything in between, don’t sit back and hope for the best. Don’t think this is a distraction or a joke. Get up from your couch and do what? Vote,” Obama said. “Put down your phones and do what? Vote. Vote for Kamala Harris to be the next president of the United States. Vote for Tim Walz to be the next Vice President of the United States, vote for [incumbent Sen.] Tammy Baldwin and this whole incredible Wisconsin Democratic ticket. »
-Isabella Murray of ABC News
