BHO and/or The Big Dog visiting Wisconsin: Yes, no? Good, bad?

[Scuba]

I'm really torn on this one. "It's all upside" say the talking heads like Big Ed and John Nichols. "It will energize the base" they say.

Well, I'm pretty sure the Democratic base is already energized. I don't think many of the 930,000 Wisconsin citizens who signed a Recall Walker petition will stay home on Tuesday. The grass-roots work being done on behalf of Tom Barrett is the most impressive demonstration of civic involvement I've seen in my 60-plus years. Our side will turn out and vote, of that I'm confident.

The Republican base, of course, is always energized. That's a given. But it's the rest of those Wisconsinites who voted for Walker in 2010, butdon't plan on voting for him in the recall I'm wondering about. I'm good with them staying home. But surely some of them are racist enough, or Clinton-hating enough, to be motivated to vote if they see one of these two men trying to influence matters here.

The question becomes, would a visit by Barack or Bill generate more additional votes for Tom Barrett, or for Scott Walker?

I don't pretend to be smart enough to know the answer. Maybe I'm totally out to lunch.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

[whathehell]

1. One of them should come if for NO other reason than to stand in solidarity with organized labor.

The fact that the party leaders have been SO lame on Wisconsin

and other states where labor is under attack, makes me and countless others

question their commitment to one of their most LOYAL constituencies.

[Scuba]

2. I would argue that there are better ways for them to "stand with labor"....

... although I absolutely feel they should stand with labor. What about the impact on voting?

[whathehell]

5. Really?....What "better ways" might there be?

As for it's impact on voting, I hardly think it would be negative.

[Scuba]

7. One better way would be to work to get some laws passed protecting collective bargaining.

[whathehell]

8. Why can't both be done?

[Scuba]

10. It can, but please address the question: will it help more than hurt?

[whathehell]

11. I HAVE addressed the question

when I said that I can't see how it would hurt.

How in hell could it "hurt"?

[Scuba]

12. How can it hurt? I addressed that in the OP.

[whathehell]

14. Yeah, I guess so..

I just think it's a rather toothless argument.

"But surely some of them are racist enough, or Clinton-hating enough, to be motivated to vote if they see one of these two men trying to influence matters here"

If they're that racist or "Clinton hating", why would they vote for a Democrat over Walker anyway?

[Scuba]

18. They wouldn't vote Democratic. But they might vote Walker rather than staying home, just out ...

... of spite. I'm not sure the argument makes sense either, and I value your input. Thanks.

[whathehell]

20. Being a Wisconsonite, you may well know the people better than I do..

and you're certainly welcome for the input.

What part of the state do you live in?

I live in the Chicago North suburbs and I've volunteered

with my local group of Dems (Central & West Lake County Democrats)

to canvass and I'm going up on Tuesday to help with GOTV.

I think this election is HUGELY important, not just to your state

but to the "state" of unions and working Americans generally.

My Dad organized a union at his workplace in the 1940's

then served as a shop steward, remaining VERY pro-labor throughout his life.

We gotta win this one.

[Scuba]

21. Frankly, I hope my fears are misplaced...

Thank you for your activism in our State, and tell your dad thanks too.

I live in east-central Wisconsin, red country about an hour north of Milwaukee. Used to live in McHenry County down your way!

[whathehell]

24. Yes, I hope so too.

You're certainly very welcome, in regard to the volunteering

When labor is attacked, I view it as an attack on all of us, at least

those of us in the 99%.

Supposedly, there will be 30,000 volunteers on the ground this weekend,

which I think sounds great...They have the money, but I hear

that our "ground game" is superior.

You used to live in McHenry?...Oh my, that's a red area too!

Lake County, which is, as you know, just east of McHenry,

used to be Red too, but it's changed over the last decade or so.

We're moving west, as it were, because at this point, there's even

a small McHenry Democratic Association.

Have a great weekend!

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Should labor unions not endorse Obama

because it will energize the Republican base?

Until we Democrats bare our teeth and unapologetically fight for what's right - all is lost.

[Scuba]

4. I'm with standing up on our hind legs and baring our teeth, for sure...

... but we're already doing that. So what's the upside?

[ladjf]

6. I can think of no reason why Obama can't go to Wisconsin to help the Democrats. It's the most

significant race of the year other than the Presidential election.

[Scuba]

9. You think it would help, more than hurt, then?

Perhaps so.

[ladjf]

13. It would help a lot if Obama went. Clinton? I'm not sure about that. nt

[lutefisk]

16. Because he sold his comfortable shoes to the devil?

President Obama had over a year to show his support for Wisconsin Democrats, but he didn't. I think going against Walker's corporate backers poses a conflict of interest for our POTUS.

[ladjf]

17. I would like to think that your opinion is wrong. But, in my heart, I fear that you are correct.

[lutefisk]

22. Didn't mean to darken anyone's day.

But, hey: our Democratic Obama is better than their Republican Romney! So that's good, I suppose.

But still, I remember spending some really long, cold days at the protests last year thinking that we are really on our own here. Wisconsin was under assault, and our federal government, even with a Democratic Administration, did nothing. A lot of good people came and lent their support, but I am having a hard time remembering any establishment Democrats that gave a shit.

[ladjf]

23. I "search the political horizon everyday hoping to see a ship of good will and intellect approaching

to come to the aid of the American people. So far, I have spied only renegade vessels manned by barbarians."

I have some faith in the integrity of former Pres. Carter and Senator Sanders. Who knows, maybe they are also greedy crooks. But, they are old and not even very popular.

I like your thinking. I'll watch for more posts by you.

[HereSince1628]

15. With Clinton's record on labor? I'd say no, he needn't journey to WI

BUT Clinton is very popular with minorities, and so his voice might help to get out the minority vote in Milwaukee.

And considering he's "shuffling through his schedule" to find an opportunity, maybe a phone message would be easier for him.

[undeterred]

19. I got to see/hear Bill Clinton when he came to campaign for Doyle in 2006.

He is an amazing speaker and campaigner and he will energize whoever hears him, even if its a 30 second clip on the news. A lot of people like Clinton. I don't see this as a negative - it makes Barrett look important. He must have been in Congress when Clinton was President.

Nothing is going to affect my vote, but I think Clinton coming to town highlights what a big deal this is for anyone who still doesn't get it.