16 Comments
User's avatar
Drunk Wisconsin's avatar

Wisconsin is *the* purple state. I'm very proud of that. There are folks on either side and a lot in the middle who are willing to switch based on the election. Hopefully people are able to carry their emotions all the way to the midterms.

My one point of contention is that it wasn't just the Democrats abandoning rural voters, but rural voters also abandoning the Democrats, sometimes not even considering voting blue as an option. I think the Democrats would be wise to present a moderate message to persuadable voters, but I think their prime target is suburban voters and medium sized towns.

Expand full comment
PurpleAmerica's avatar

Agreed. Dems have to get out of their safe spaces of Milwaukee and Madison.

Expand full comment
Kevin Lawrence's avatar

What do you think are the most importantly issues for rural Wisconsin voters?

Expand full comment
PurpleAmerica's avatar

Just knowing they've been listened to and their thoughts have been heard. The single biggest determinant in whether someone votes one way or another is if they had personally met that candidate. If you don't show up, you don't earn their votes.

Expand full comment
Vicki B's avatar

I live in Madison and the liberals here would likely call me conservative, but I consider myself center left. I’m currently considering dropping my blue affiliation and hanging out as an independent. I believe you have articulated the problem Dems have: showing up and knowing your audience. Although I voted for Mandela Barnes in what I felt was a winnable race (RoJo has no integrity or ethics remaining imo), his candidacy was shoved down our throats by the DNC. That we didn’t even get to vote in a primary was a turning point for most centrists in the state. I think that’s part of what freed folks up to vote for Captain Tang in 2024, as it felt that they were doing the same thing when Joe tanked in the debate.

Politicians need to learn how to talk to regular people. Most Wisconsinites are progressive (Forward!), but they sure don’t like to be talked down to and told what to think. I suspect similar problems with the current DNC, even though there’s so much to beat the GOP with.

Hopefully an energetic, inspiring and skilled communicator who has actual life experiences steps up to lead Dems out of the quicksand.

Kamala could have won here if they had let her be herself.

Expand full comment
PurpleAmerica's avatar

Well put.

Expand full comment
Jon Saxton's avatar

We still have much to do to gain the attention and trust of ‘middle America.’ I think there’s at least one ‘line of attack’ that can help:

Donald Trump just really, really hates America.

America values honesty, fair play, integrity. As a pathological liar and con man, Trump has never been able to command the ‘respect,’ power, and regal status he craves. He now feels these to be within his reach.

Trump is not out to make America great again. He’s out to make America grovel at his feet.

Americans need to know this. America needs to understand that this is the entirety of Trump’s motivation and his self-dealing end game so that America can stop him.

https://open.substack.com/pub/jonthinks/p/donald-trump-hates-america?r=mrvx1&utm_medium=ios

Expand full comment
Conor Gallogly's avatar

Didn’t you notice fewer yard signs in 2024 too?

My wife is from rural PA and we saw far fewer Trump yard signs in 2024 than in the past. And we saw few yard signs for Trump in IN when we went to see the eclipse. And we saw yard signs for Governor Braun in IN.

Expand full comment
Don Quixote's Reckless Son's avatar

Your argument is that this bill is the Democrats' fault for not stopping the GOP from passing this bill? Even though the GOP has a majority in both houses of congress and Trump as President?

I've heard multiple Democrats talking about how deeply the cuts to medicare will leave rural residents without healthcare and will shut down hospitals in rural districts.

Expand full comment
PurpleAmerica's avatar

If that's what you got out of it, you need to retake high school english because your reading comprehension is not very good. I suggest you reread it again and pay close attention to what the entire post is about, and who is saying what.

Expand full comment
Don Quixote's Reckless Son's avatar

My reading comprehension is just fine. Maybe you need to learn to write better.

Expand full comment
PurpleAmerica's avatar

I can tell its not. Because you didn’t even grasp that I didnt make an argument, I just reported on what people said to me back in Wisconsin.

That’s why you’re a shithead who is now blocked.

Expand full comment
Pete Babendreier's avatar

I had the same impression. What % of dems had input and how many voted for it?

Ron Johnson could've said no. He didn't. He's a rubber stamp for whatever Trump wants.

Such a tool.

All of these 'leaders' should have voted yes on impeachment. Both times.

All of these leaders should step up and actually do their jobs.

So..... blaming Dems? I blame dems for not stepping up and stepping up and finding a solution to Biden who's job was to be a bridge to 2024. shame on them. Joe.....hope you're listening. You screwed up. big time. So yeah... that one...

Another tool on project 2025 said it'll be bloodless if the left allows it.

Looks like they're allowing it.

Expand full comment
Paul Thoresen's avatar

My dear neighbor still has her "Coach Walz " sign up. We are friends, I do not have the heart to remind her he lost.

Expand full comment
Torrance Stephens's avatar

Boring, not Beautiful, yet I approve with the Naughty by Nature Stamp.

https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/you-down-with-bbb-yeah-you-know-me

Expand full comment
Michael's avatar

So these voters you spoke to helped create a Republican majority and are now mad at the minority party for not stopping the BBB?

Expand full comment