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'Don't Boo, Vote,' Obama Tells Supporters During Visit Here

Thousands of people came to hear President Barack Obama speak at the Summerfest grounds on Saturday. His message to his supporters: "I'm not fighting to create Democratic jobs or Republican jobs. I'm fighting for American jobs."

 

President Barack Obama wants to continue leading the country out of the second worst recession in American history, he told his supporters Saturday.

Thousands of people filled the BMO Harris Pavilion at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee and cheered on Obama as he spoke about saving the middle class in his second term. All they needed to do was vote for him in November, he told the enthusiastic crowd.

"I'm not fighting to create Democratic jobs or Republican jobs. I'm fighting for American jobs," Obama said.

When working-class families do well, the country does well, Obama said.

Obama contrasted his position with that of Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

He told the audience that Romney wouldn’t serve the needs of middle-class Americans, and that Romney saw them as "victims." Obama also said Romney  would give tax breaks to wealthy Americans and corporations at the cost of entitlement programs designed to help those in need.


Video: Obama Energizes Supporters
Related coverage: Conservatives Rally in Waukesha County


Obama pointed to Romney’s economic plan, which Obama said included giving $5 trillion in tax cuts to wealthy Americans, allowing “the oil companies to write the energy plan,” and giving big oil companies “$4 billion in corporate welfare.”

“We’ve got a very big choice to make in this election,” the president said. “It’s not just a choice between two candidates or two parties, it is between two very different paths for America, two different visions for our future. Now, my opponent, he believes in a top-down economy.”

The crowd booed.

“Don’t boo… vote!” Obama said, a phrase he repeated several times during his 30-minute speech.

Supporters believe in Obama’s vision

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was among the key Wisconsin Democrats to speak at the rally, estimated the size of the crowd at about 18,000.

Among those who stood in the drizzly weather to listen to the speech was Linda Mueller of Wauwatosa, who said she backs Obama because he supports the middle class.

“Mitt Romney is trying to take away benefits that I’ve worked and paid into," she said. "It’s not an entitlement. I worked and I paid into Social Security and Medicare, and I deserve to have a say."

Leslie Smith of Elm Grove said she believes the upcoming presidential election is largely about social justice.

"He (Obama) can speak most loudly for social justice and fairness in our country, and I think he’s done a remarkable job given the situation we were in four years ago," she said.

Amir Yasrebdoust of Milwaukee said he came out to hear Obama speak because the country is still very divided and he likes Obama’s tenacity.

“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “I mean, I’ve already made up my mind and part of it is I always see him on TV. I love the way he speaks and it would be great to see him live.  I haven’t been involved for quite a while in politics, but this year just kind of reinvigorated me because things have become so divisive.

GOP responds to Obama’s visit

Republicans said Obama's trip to Milwaukee was an indication that the Democrat is having problems in Wisconsin — a state he handily won in 2008.

"After an absence of 220 days, President Obama has finally returned to Wisconsin – a state he won by over 14 points four years ago," Ben Sparks, a spokesman for the Romney campaign, said in a statement. "In Wisconsin, and all over America, people are tired of the president's false attacks and broken promises.

"Incomes are falling, costs are rising, and jobs are scarce. Our debt has soared past $16 trillion," Sparks added. "America can’t afford four more years of Barack Obama. Mitt Romney has a plan for a stronger middle class that will result in more jobs, higher take-home pay, and a real recovery for our economy."

Danny O’Driscoll, manager of the Wisconsin campaign for Romney, pointed to the country’s stark economic picture – 23 million Americans struggling to find work; an unemployment rate being about 8 percent for 43 straight months; declines in income; poverty at record levels; 46.7 million people receiving food-stamps.

Gov. Scott Walker also released the following statement:

"With his visit today, President Obama admits he has a Wisconsin problem. 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. It’s time for a change, and Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have the vision and experience required to confront our challenges and lead us toward prosperity for future generations."

Related Topics: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Presidential Election 2012, Scott Walker, presidential election, and presidential race

Sarah

7:00 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Very nice piece. Probably the most balanced and unbiased I've seen anywhere this election cycle. Kudos.

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CowDung

3:48 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

She still needs to work harder at proofreading though...

"Republicans said Obama's trip to Milwaukee was an indication that the Democratic is having problems in Wisconsin — a state he handily won in 2008."

'Democratic' is an adjective, not a noun...

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Patch_comments_icon

Denise Lockwood

4:16 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

@Cow -- fair enough and fixed. Was a pretty late night and ended up writing 1/2 of that piece in my car.

LMB52

7:15 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Are we better off? This like asking a homeowner whose house was on fire if he is better off than before the fire fighters arrived! Would he say that he prefered the arsonist? Apparently Mike wants them to bring another gallon of gasoline.

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Richard

7:30 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Obama's words are inexpensive, tend to be deceptive and exactly opposite of his actions! Before you vote, look at the actions from this administration not the well chosen words they chose to use to exploit the unthinking masses. This administrations actions seem to follow "The Communist Manifesto" versus the American Constitution!

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Bob McBride

7:45 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

"I love the way he speaks and it would be great to see him live."

That about says it all. I know people who've admitted, half way into his first term when it became very clear to them that "change" was looking a lot more like more of the same, that they really voted for the guy because of the way he presents himself. It's probably what's going to save him (in comparison to his opponent) this time around as well. The debates should be interesting and, of all the stuff that goes on between now and election day, they present the only opportunity (short of some sort of bombshell) for a potential game changer.

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Nicki

8:03 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

The weather wasn't "drizzly"; maybe cloudy in the morning, but the afternoon was beautiful, mostly sunny and pleasant. We went down early enough, but the line wound down around Discovery World and down to Veteran's Park and after several hours, we decided to leave. Wish we could have got in, but we had no time. The crowd was diverse, upbeat and very patiently waiting. As for the jobs situation, it's unfortunate that his jobs bill is still sitting unacted upon as many people apparently assume it has been. Congress has shelved it, not even given it a chance to be voted upon. Sorry, after viewing a tape of high income donors to the other guy's campaign, listening to people who paid what most people in this country's median income is tell him what they think he should do, I'm sticking with the current administration. Perhaps we can get a Congress change, one that is willing to work with the President and not against him.

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greg

12:16 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Nicki we had that his 1st two years, it did not work out to well

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Keith Best

7:19 am on Monday, September 24, 2012

Obama said jobs were his first priority back in 2009. Sadly, more people are out of work now then when he came into office.

It's not working, and blaming Republicans is a joke. He had a Democrat majority in Congress back in 2009.

We need a real change. Vote Romney/ Ryan!

N. Peske

10:16 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

What a terrific turnout and event! Thanks to all the organizers who did an extraordinary job with security and keeping the crowd cheerful despite the long wait. Indeed, it didn't begin to rain until well into the speech. I laughed when I thought of the vendor just before the gate who was selling umbrella hats and cheap raincoats, who said, "You're going to be thinking about me when you get in there, and saying, I should've listened to him!" :)

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Mike Knight

11:16 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Yes be fooled again, and vote for the biggest liar in US history.

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Scot Bartels

1:09 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012

HONESTLY I do not know why ANYONE would vote for Obama a second time around. Since he has been President the debt has gone up more (in less than 4 years) than it did in 8 years of Bush. Unemployment has been above 8% (with real unemployment in the double digits) for a very long time. We just had 300,000+ people drop out of the work force because they could not find a job in Obamas economy. Obamacare is going to be a tax increase for 6 million people (mostly middle class). GM is still facing bankruptcy even after a boatload of tax dollars were spent to "save" it. For the life of me I cannot think of anything good that Obama has done for this country. (Oh and OBL doesn't count because he didn't do it) So HONESTLY why would anyone vote for Obama again?

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James R Hoffa

2:42 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012

So that's what a crowd of 47%er's looks like!

Anyone see Schmitzy there?

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Mary Ann

6:15 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Dems are normal people who want a good honest president, who is very intelligent and can do more than one thing at a time, unlike Bush, who did nothing for the USA. If you really knew the facts, you Repubs wouldn't say that he has done nothing because there are pages and pages of facts of what Obama has done for normal middle class people.

You negative Repubs can complain all you want. That's all I hear from you, condemnation of everything that Obama has done. You probably don't even know the facts because you guys are on this site always blogging about yourselves. You think you are Hoffa, or some other fake characters! You kill me, you are all extremists! You sound like a bunch of nuts! Start reading and learning the facts of what Obama has done for America.
Just accept it: The Big O is going to win again!!! The One, The Only, OBAMA!!!

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Dirk

10:42 am on Monday, September 24, 2012

Wow, alot of brilliant insights there; typical of the Obama demographic. No substance.

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Scot Bartels

1:32 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Well Mary:

Fact: Since Obama took office the debt has grown more (in less than 4 years) than it did in 8 years of Bush.

Fact: Unemployment has been above 8% and real unemployment has been in double digits for a very long time.

Fact: 300,000+ people dropped out of the workforce because they could not find jobs in Obamas economy.

Fact: Obamacare is going to hit 6 million people (mostly middle class) with a rather good size tax increase.

Fact: We spent a boatload of money on GM and they may still go bankrupt.

Fact: Yes OBL is dead but Al Qaeda is alive and well and blowing up our embassies.

Fact: The economy is sluggish at best and some indicators suggest whatever 'recovery' we may have had might be over.

Fact: More people than ever are on foodstamps.

These are FACTS of what has happened with Obama President. This is what he has done to America. So why on earth would anyone vote for him again?

Steve ®

8:05 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012

Mmm, mmm, mmm
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must all lend a hand
To make this Country strong again

Mmm, mmm, mmm
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay

Mmm, mmm, mmm
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we all must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance

Mmm, mmm, mmm
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black, or white,
All are equal in his sight

Mmm, mmm, mmm
Barack Hussein Obama
Yes, mmm, mmm, mmm
Barack Hussein Obama

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Dirk

10:41 am on Monday, September 24, 2012

The only thing this failed Chicago demagogue is campaigning for is to maintain taxpayer-paid vacations for Michele and the kids. Over his head from day one. What a mistake.
FAIL on all counts.

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Mrs. R

12:21 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Well, you couldn't buy my vote! I have a different bias all around.
I like democracy and honest.
Percentage wise, I think you know who's on top.
I am not blind to missteps or failings. I will step up for the guy who shows the most promise.
Just saw a vote done in Europe: Romney win makes USA look less like a friend.
How much Foreign, Global cooperation for peace, collaboration, or exports does that add up to? My answer is none.

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Dirk Gutzmiller

4:31 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Speaking of how other countries would accept Romney as President, I wonder how the Muslim world would receive Romney, as they have a lot of problems right now with even Obama, who has lived among Muslims,
Romney adds being a devout Mormon, with Joseph Smith being the founding Prophet, and the Book of Mormon was his translation of the golden plates presented to him by God.
Muslim belief is very emphatic about Mohammed being the last true Prophet. That would make Romney a super infidel. Another rallying cry by Muslim extremists in their hate of America?

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CowDung

4:39 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

How does that make Romney a "super infidel"? Are Mormons really that much more disagreeable on that point than any other non-Islamic religion?

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Bob McBride

4:50 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Dirk's just making sure he covers every angle of ridiculousness in hating all things Romney.

Good work, Dirk. You're very thorough. I heard a rumor he hired illegal workers to tear those "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law" tags off of all the mattresses and pillows in one of his palatial mansions. You may want to waste some time chasing that down...

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James R Hoffa

4:55 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

So, Dirk bases his vote upon appeasement to the Muslim world - no wonder he likes Obama so much!

I'm sure that Dirk would just prefer that the Muslims elect our next President for us, as after all, then we'd have even better relations with the Muslim world, right Dirk?

Honestly - are you an American?

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Dirk Gutzmiller

5:08 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Cow Dung - What major Christian denominations believe that there has been a true Prophet arise since Mohammed was declared the last true Prophet by the Muslims? Well, if Mormons qualify as Christians, they claim Joseph Smith as a Prophet and the Book of Mormon as holy scripture. In fact, the heads of the Mormon Church since Joseph Smith are also declared to be Prophets. Quite sure most Muslims in the world currently do not know much about Mormonism, but they surely will when and if Romney becomes President.

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Bob McBride

5:20 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Well, hell, that means half of Hollywood is in deep, deep doo doo, too. Just wait 'tll them darn Muslims figure out those action heroes and sluts they secretly watch on the interweb when nobody's looking are followers of L. Ron Hubbard.

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Mrs. R

6:32 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

So, I didn't expect this many comments proving our intolerance for each other.
I don't think religion should be discussed by anyone out loud. We just had a terrible example of that foulness.
Romney is just not able to make the cut as America's Representative. I find him inadequate for Formal Foreign Affairs. He's not suitably dressed or well rehearsed.
Where as, Pres. Obama seeks his words, stumbles a bit, thinking out the answer. Given enough time, Obama finds a way to work a statement he 'may' stand by.

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CowDung

8:46 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Dirk:

I think you miss my point. Christians don't consider Mohammed to be a prophet. It really isn't going to be any greater a conflict to have a president that considers some of their church leadership to be prophets.

We've always had Christian presidents--Romney will be no different than Obama in that regard. Do you honestly think so little of Muslims to believe that they will take more of an issue with a Mormon president than the string of Christian presidents that preceded him?

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Scot Bartels

1:38 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Romney would have more international knowledge than Obama did when he was first elected President. Yet for some reason I suspect Mrs. R that you voted for him the first time around.

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Dirk Gutzmiller

5:33 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Scot - About Romney having international experience he probably knows more than Obama regarding doing business with China. Also, and mostly unpublicized for some reason, Romney is very fluent in French, as is his wife with a French language degree, so that could help us develop stronger ties to that major country and its former colonies, as well as sophisticated people that like to use French phrases.in their conversations. . Obama claims no second language. Romney was also CEO of an international business, and has Olympic experience. That is all I can think of as to Romney's resume to deal with foreign governments. Anybody able to add more?

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James R Hoffa

6:06 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

@Dirk -

Obama proved that a President doesn't need to have any prior international experience in order to mess up foreign policy!

The fact that Romney does have some prior international experience tells us that he won't mess up foreign policy nearly as bad as Obama has done.

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Dirk Gutzmiller

7:35 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Hoffa - It is an academic exercise to compare Romney international experience now with Obama four years ago. More pragmatically, Obama now has nearly four years of experience leading the most powerful country on earth. I vote conservatively, I vote for the experienced incumbent versus the unknown (or more accurately, bumbling) novice. "Better the devil known than the devil unknown" is a business philosophy when considering who to promote.

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James R Hoffa

10:13 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

@Dirk -

How did that strategy work out for GM, Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, etc? They all chose to stick with the leaders that were sinking the ship as well. Why do you liberals promote and protect failure?!?! Conservatives believe that we the people deserve better!

Dirk Gutzmiller

5:33 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Hoffa - Oh my, how easy to be an America first and only chauvinist. No thinking necessary. Of course I am a loyal American, but differently than your Republican saber rattlers that put us into the Bush wars and now currently look to the Iran War with great anticipation.

Obama the thinker, Romney the shoot from the hip profoundly insensitive warmonger. If Obama puts us into a new war, he will have thought about it first.

.

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Terry

6:26 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Interesting. Don't forget the other war we are currently in Dirk, Bosnia. People forget we still have troops there, standing in harms way. I believe that particular war was begun by a democratic administration.

Also, under Obama, elements of our wars in the Mideast have actually expanded. The "drone" wars, as they have been characterized by some liberals on this board has expanded greatly under Obama, dropping deadly gifts and expanding the conflict into far more countries than Bush ever attacked.

Wars begun by Bush... bad. Wars begun by Clinton... forgotten. Wars expanded by Obama... well, lets just say according to Dirk, hes a thinker.

gloria522

8:04 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Liberals never care about innocent people and our soldier dying in war when one of their boys is in charge.

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morninmist

9:31 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Even in conservative Ripon-

Andy Suchorski ‏@AndySuchorski

We're winning on every campus in every corner of Wisconsin. "Obama, Baldwin Top Ripon College Straw Poll" http://ripon.edu/news/2012-13/strawpoll.htm

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James R Hoffa

10:15 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

@morninmist -

Hoffa is sure that the college campus activists are wholly indicative of a majority of the surrounding community!

BTW - That was meant to be sarcastic!

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morninmist

6:43 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hoff
It indicates the younger folks are smart.

Meanwhile:

polymath22 ‏@polymath22

#Romney Has the Lowest Favorability Rating Of Any #POTUS Nominee In Modern History — Including All The Eventual Losers http://www.thedailydolt.com/2012/09/21/people-really-dont-like-mitt-romney/

Militant Duck

11:32 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

18,000 in an arena that seats about 5,000? Really? How stupid does the liberal media think we are?

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morninmist

4:18 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Hey Mil
You should read the comments who are in the know from upstream before you post and look silly. Besides who cares!!---Obama is ahead in WI.

Tim Fleming ‏@BioBoom

RT @jrios68 See new Data on CNN Obama admin now a net Positive job creation ... Made up for the huge losses in yr one and from Bush #wiunion

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James R Hoffa

1:36 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012

@morninmist -

Of course you don't care that the liberal media lies to you because you're a product of their propaganda, rhetoric, and lies.

morninmist

1:06 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012

Excellent!

Sen. Lena C. Taylor ‏@sentaylor

Wisconsin Voter ID and the Replacement refs go down in the same week. Not Bad!

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James R Hoffa

1:34 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012

@morninmist -

This just proves how stupid both you and Lena Taylor truly are - Voter ID is not dead and will be upheld as constitutional by the state Court of Appeals. Better start getting used to it now.

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morninmist

7:38 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012

@Huff
You and your imaginary play friend are delusional. We can now have a fair election come November with all who want to vote will be able to vote.

VLC

1:09 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

What are all of you going to do when Romney loses? Will you emigrate to another country? Will you sit around blaming "liberal media"? Will you call everyone else "stupid"? Or will you finally realize that your ideology is rotten? Look, you've got racism, the Horatio Alger myth, and a resounding recession on your side, and you're being beaten? Doesn't that say something about your bankrupt ideology?

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James R Hoffa

1:27 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

@VLC -

If Romney were to lose, and that's a big IF, Hoffa can tell you what we won't do.

We won't stage sick outs in the public schools to march with hitler signs around the capital or white house. We won't pour beers over the heads of our duly elected public officials. We won't launch partisan biased recall elections over a single piece of legislation that we disagree with.

In other words, we won't act like you guys on left did over the last year and half in this state when you lost! And when you lost a second time, you still didn't admit that your ideology is rotten, did you? So why would you expect that from us?

Doesn't that say something about your bankrupt ideology, which just so happens to be actually bankrupting the states of CA and IL, as well as several municipalities across the nation, and brought us the first credit downgrade in our nation's history and may just lead to another one in the near future.

No, instead of engaging in a huge temper tantrum, we'll keep on working like we always do and try to make the best of it until 2014 and 2016.

Too bad you guys on the left can't honestly say the same!

VLC

1:41 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

@Hoffa. He is going to lose.

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