The White House announced Tuesday President Barack Obama will visit Madison Nov. 4, exactly a year after his election to the nation’s highest office.
A statement released Tuesday by the White House said Obama will be visiting the city to outline his plans for “strengthening America’s education system.”
The statement did not contain a specific schedule of events planned for the visit nor specifics on what would be in his speech, saying more details would be released in the coming days.
Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said Cieslewicz is very happy about the announcement.
“The mayor is very excited and looking forward to being in touch with the White House,” Strauch-Nelson said. “We always welcome a visit from the president.”
Strauch-Nelson said the city also does not know Obama’s specific plans but said the city will be in close contact with his staff as the day approaches.
University of Wisconsin spokesperson John Lucas said he is also currently unaware of specific campus-related events featuring Obama but is excited to see the president come to Madison to speak about education, as the city is home to more than 40,000 students.
“It is exciting to see Obama coming to Madison and exciting to see all the great plans to come,” Lucas said.
The last time Obama came to campus was Feb. 12, 2008, during the Democratic primaries when he was running against current Secretary of the State and ex-rival Hillary Clinton.
More than 19,000 students and Madison community members filled the Kohl Center to see Obama speak about his campaign’s platform of hope and change, as he was not satisfied with the direction the nation was heading under former President George W. Bush.
Obama was also scheduled to visit Madison Oct. 23, 2008 for a campaign rally on Capitol Square just before the presidential election, but had to cancel shortly before the event because of his grandmother’s ailing health. She died Nov. 3, a day before Obama defeated Republican opponent John McCain.
Obama also made an appearance at Monona Terrace on Oct. 15, 2007 to garner support for his presidential bid.
