In a recent rally at the Waukesha County Expo Center, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump declared he is going to win Wisconsin, made a pitch to minority voters and took a series of shots at Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton.
Trump praised former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who was among those who introduced him, and recounted a conversation earlier this year in which Thompson told Trump he would have trouble winning Wisconsin and should focus elsewhere. But, he said, Thompson told him he would call if the situation changed.
“I get a call two weeks ago: ‘Don, time to come back’” Trump said. “I’m back, and we’re going to win Wisconsin.”
No Republican has won Wisconsin’s electoral votes since Ronald Reagan in 1984, and polls of state voters have consistently shown Clinton ahead. Still, the last Marquette University Law School Poll, conducted in mid-September, showed Clinton’s edge among likely voters down to 2 points in a head-to-head matchup with Trump.
Trump said his agenda will help all Americans, but particularly African-Americans and Hispanics living in high-crime areas. He predicted people in Milwaukee are going to “love Donald Trump” because they’ll be safe.
“Vote for me. I will fix it,” Trump said. “I will fight for you harder than anyone has fought for you ever before.”
Ahead of the rally, Democrats called on Trump to come clean over his taxes and condemned his comments toward women and minorities.
“Right now, more than ever, we need someone who is prepared to lead. That is not Donald Trump,” said state Rep. Mandela Barnes (D-Milwaukee).
-Wispolitics.com is a media partner of BizTimes Milwaukee.