Staff Reports
Wisconsin is shaping up to be an exciting battleground in the next election, and it’s worth taking a moment to analyze the intricacies of how Donald Trump can reclaim this critical state. Forget about the glory days of Republican Tommy Thompson’s landslide victory in 1994; the stakes are high, and so are the potential pitfalls. The former president has the opportunity to win again. Still, it won’t be on autopilot—he needs a strategy, and apparently, Thompson has four golden rules for navigating the murky waters of Wisconsin politics.
In 2016, Trump managed to shatter the Democrats’ famed “blue wall” by flipping Wisconsin, along with Michigan and Pennsylvania, in a historic upset that led him all the way to the White House. Fast forward to 2020, and that victory evaporated, showcasing a razor-thin margin where just over 20,000 votes separated him from Joe Biden. As the 2024 election inches closer, prognostications indicate a neck-and-neck race again, and this time, Vice President Kamala Harris joins the fray, taking up her predecessor’s mantle of competitiveness in the state.
Wisconsin ‘made to order’ for Trump, ex-governor says, if he follows these four rules https://t.co/dnfH0KG12O via @dcexaminer
— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) August 11, 2024
Trump’s former adage about being present holds particularly true in Wisconsin, as Tommy Thompson suggests. The specter of 2016 looms large, especially when recalling Hillary Clinton’s total absence from the state during her campaign. Thompson reminds everyone of this blunder, highlighting the importance of showing up because, as the old saying goes, out of sight means out of mind—and it surely meant out of office for Clinton. Currently, Trump seems to be taking this lesson seriously, having made multiple appearances in Wisconsin this year. With his nomination fresh on the table, Republicans are mobilizing quickly to avoid the same traps of apathy.
A little further down the path to success, Thompson underlines the importance of capturing the vote in historically Democratic counties like Milwaukee and Dane. While it’s clear that many Republicans have shied away from crossing party lines in these areas, Thompson’s approach suggests a willingness to engage with those who typically back the other team. In essence, it’s not about flipping these counties; it’s about limiting the damage—something that might ruffle a few feathers in party circles but could ultimately play well in a state where margins matter.
The overarching theme here is outreach with a side of optimism. Thompson advises that Trump’s message must resonate with traditional Democratic voters, particularly by addressing issues that matter to them directly. Public safety, parental rights, and even healthcare concerns are areas ripe for the picking if approached with care and sincerity. If Trump can play his cards right, he could not only chip away at the margins but build a genuine connection with constituents who might be cautious about crossing party lines—if they’re convinced that Trump genuinely cares about their issues.
Lastly, as meek conversations and policy discussions tend to get overshadowed by brash personality traits, Thompson’s final nugget of wisdom calls for a delightful demeanor. A positive attitude can be more appealing than a series of grievances, no matter how justified. With the Democrats scrambling to present a concrete agenda that currently resembles a pie chart of confusion, a cheery, forward-looking Trump might be the tonic Wisconsin voters are looking for. As the race creeps closer, it will be fascinating to watch whether Trump manages to charm his way back into Wisconsin’s electoral good graces, all while embracing a little polish without compromising his core persona. In a world of political volatility, getting the formula just right could tip the scales back in favor of the GOP.
