Speaking before a crowd his campaign website estimated at 18,000 at Henry Maier Festival Park, Obama said his administration fought to ensure millions of students would pay less for college by taking on a system that wastes billions of dollars.
Obama said he would work to keep tuition costs down and that Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney wants to cut education.
“I’ve got a different deal,” Obama said. “I believe that in the United States of America, no child should have a dream deferred because of overcrowded classrooms or a family should have to set aside a college acceptance letter because they don’t have the money.”
Obama also said he would increase taxes on those making over $250,000 a year, while reducing taxes on the middle class and small businesses.
Investing in alternative energy and reducing dependence on foreign oil would lead to job creation, Obama said. During his speech, it began to rain, but he pressed on for 10 more minutes.
“I know we’re getting a little wet, but that’s okay,” Obama said. “I’m going to wrap up, but I have a few more things to say.”
Obama touched on how creating change in Washington D.C. requires public mobilization, how the government may not be able to solve all problems, but does not create all of the problems and how a “little rain never hurt anybody.”
“If you still have hope, if you’re still willing to go, I’m asking you for your vote,” Obama said as it stopped raining. “We’ll win Wisconsin. We’ll finish what we started and we’ll remind the world that the United States of America is the greatest nation on earth. The sun’s going to come out.”
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, also spoke at the rally and said she worked with Obama to introduce the Buffett Rule to ensure millionaires would not pay a lower tax rate than middle class Wisconsinites.
She said the best way to build the economy is from the middle class out and not the top down.
“The Wisconsin I know knows that their plan will only bust our budget, not boost our economy,” Baldwin said. “And after risky schemes brought our economy to its knees, we fought to make sure Wall Street plays by the same rules as Main Street.”
However, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement the visit shows Obama no longer thinks he has the state “in the bag” because of strong Republican leadership.
Gov. Scott Walker said in a statement Romney and his running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, have the experience to lead the nation.
“With his visit today, President Obama admits he has a Wisconsin problem,” Walker said in a statement. “This election must be about who can best lead America to overcome its greatest challenges, and on every important measure President Obama has failed us over the last four years.”
Republican Senate candidate and former Gov. Tommy Thompson said in a statement the campaign stop contrasts the choice Wisconsinites will make in November.
The statement said voters can reelect Obama and Baldwin, who created higher unemployment and more debt, or elect leaders with economic accomplishments.
“Just like Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan, I have a record of economic accomplishments,” Thompson said in the statement. “Instead of providing empty rhetoric like Congresswoman Baldwin and President Obama, I will provide sound solutions.”
Nina Howard of Milwaukee, who attended the rally, said while she did not know whether Obama was a better choice than Romney, she found Obama’s speech informational. She said it was enlightening to be at the rally in person because she could “really feel it.”
“I think that the President’s statements today were right. I believe him.” Howard said. “And I think [things will] get better if we give him another four more years.”
