Republican and Democratic presidential candidates alike have trekked across the state of Wisconsin vying for every Wisconsinite’s vote.
Here is a review of every president’s campaign strategy ahead of the Wisconsin primary and how they helped, or hurt, their chances in the election.
Donald Trump
Presidential candidate Donald Trump has had multiple events in Wisconsin over the past weeks. His main strategy to gain support from the Wisconsin voter has been to trash the state’s economy and governor.
Last week, Gov. Scott Walker endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Naturally, the immature and thin-skinned Trump responded by attacking Walker in his home state. He said things like, “[Walker] certainly can’t endorse me after what I did to him in the race, right?” Insinuating he was the reason Walker left the race.
Trump bashes Republican establishment, Walker in Janesville rally
Trump’s stay in Wisconsin was also accompanied by protests, with one instance of a protester being pepper-sprayed. Chaos and attack mode is the best way to describe Trump’s Wisconsin strategy, but that strategy has only played into his opponent’s hands.
Ted Cruz
The endorsement from Walker and Trump’s terrible strategy have launched Cruz into the top poll position ahead of Tuesday’s primary. The Republicans came into Wisconsin with Cruz and Trump virtually tied, but since then, Cruz has opened up an almost seven point lead in the polls.
Trumps strategy of attacking Walker alienated Republicans in the state who support the governor, pushing them to support Cruz. Playing on female voters’ negative views of Trump, Cruz’s campaign also staged a “Women for Ted Cruz” event. Headlining the event, Heidi Cruz and ex-presidential candidate Carly Fiorina laid out the case of Cruz being for women’s rights.
Cruz’s success in Wisconsin isn’t as much to do with his strategy as much as it has to do with Wisconsin not putting up with Trump. His antics and terrible strategy have pushed people to lean to Cruz, mainly because he’s the only one left who has a chance to outright beat Trump.
John Kasich
“Why are you still here?” — it’s the question everyone’s asking. But, in any other year, Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s strategy of being a sane, compassionate human being should have worked.
His resumé as a politician speaks for itself. He was the chairman of the U.S. House Budget committee, worked with former President Ronald Reagan and has been one of the most liked governors in the nation.
At campaign stops, he preaches moderate views — distinct from Cruz and Trump. With Cruz calling for patrolling Muslim neighborhoods and Trump calling for flat out not allowing Muslims in our country, Kasich preaches empathy and understanding. He acknowledges terrorism targets all religions and he looks to bring people together as the other candidates preach divisiveness.
Kasich talks beer, Bieber, sports to supporters at Madison bar
Like I said, any other year Kasich likely would be the nominee. But this is 2016 and what should happen, won’t happen.
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is running for the general election. At her private event at Gordon Commons in Madison, rather than focusing on attacking or jabbing her Democratic rival U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, she focused on the Supreme Court nomination.
Like most Democrats she called on Congress to consider nominee Merrick Garland. Focusing her attacks on the Republican party she said, “[Republicans] say the American people shouldn’t be denied a voice … Well, as one of the 65 million who voted to reelect Barack Obama, I’d say our voice is being ignored right now.”
Clinton urges consideration of Supreme Court balance during Madison stop
With Sanders surging in the Wisconsin polls though, it seems Clinton may have underestimated her opponent.
Bernie Sanders
Looking at Sander’s events as he criss-crosses the cheese state, you see one distinct difference from his opponent. Clinton’s event at Gordon Commons was closed to the campus community, allowing only select students in.
Sanders, on the other hand, went to larger venues such as Alliant Energy Center, the Orpheum Theater and Kohl’s Center, where students and supporters alike flooded his rallies.
Sanders main argument against Clinton this whole race has been that he represents the common people, insisting his political revolution is real. He argues that Clinton represents the elites of Wall Street and the party, leaving the common people behind. So when Clinton is holding closed events and Sanders is drawing thousands to larger venues, the perception would lend a hand to Sanders’ argument.
Despite Sanders only up by around three points in the polls, don’t be surprised if that increases.
Luke Schaetzel ([email protected]) is a sophomore majoring in political science and journalism.
