Prior to the Democratic presidential debate in Milwaukee Thursday, Gov. Scott Walker said if it comes down to Donald Trump representing the Republican Party in the general election, he could win Wisconsin.
Now, try to not freak out after reading that and hear our governor out. Walker did note that other current Republican candidates fare better against Democrats, according to polls, but he argued that if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton beat out U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, for the Democratic nomination, Trump could prevail.
At face value, his argument still doesn’t make sense, but he went further. Walker said, “If, in the end, Hillary Clinton prevails, but a lot of particularly young voters feel disenfranchised because of the whole superdelegate process, they may not vote for a Republican, but they may vote for a third party or not vote at all.”
This makes sense considering in New Hampshire Sanders won four of every five votes of those aged 30 and under. The only age group Clinton won in New Hampshire was those aged 55 years old and up, which she carried with an underwhelming 55 percent. Also, Sanders totes the fact he is an “outsider” because he doesn’t use big money to finance his campaign and because he has pushed a progressive agenda consistently since he entered politics more than 30 years ago. Sanders wins the youth vote because of these notions, so what Walker is asserting is not that crazy — and I agree with him.
The youth don’t side with Clinton because they view her as an establishment politician who is, just now, a progressive. If she went up against Trump, there is an argument to be had whether or not those same voters who side with Sanders, would vote for Trump.
At the very least, Walker is right on the voter turnout being lower if Sanders loses to Clinton. When voter turnout is higher, Democrats win, so if the young voters supporting Sanders choose to not vote, the turnout would be lower, aiding Republicans and further helping Trump’s cause.
As shocking as it may be for some, Walker is right, Trump could win Wisconsin in a general election against Clinton. People have thought for too long that Trump’s candidacy is a joke, but it is time to take it seriously.
Luke Schaetzel ([email protected]) is a sophomore majoring in journalism and political science.
