(The Center Square) – Previewing the president’s visit to Madison, Wisconsin candidates Eric Hovde and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil joined a press call to discuss the Biden campaign’s weaknesses and the apparent hesitation of some key Wisconsin Democrats to continue supporting the president.
“In the span of less than 10 days, the Biden campaign has gone from one of confidence, to calamity, to crisis,” said Chairman Brian Schimming of the Wisconsin Republican Party, who hosted the call. “Confidence that they could still win this election, calamity at the debate, to crisis right now.”
Hovde, who is running against incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., called out her hesitance to vocally support President Joe Biden after the presidential debate June 27.
Hovde said Baldwin has been a Biden ally “for a long time, knows him exceptionally well, just two weeks ago claimed that he is the most accomplished president in generations … hasn’t come out publicly in person other than through staff to say she continues to support him.”
Hovde has made similar statements recently on social media.
Steil, facing Democratic challenger Peter Barca, said the weak reception to Biden’s visit to Madison shows that presidential unity is no longer guaranteed in their party. Nationally, Reps. Lloyd Doggett of Texas and James Clyburn of South Carolina are the first Democrats to openly question if the 81-year-old should continue against former President Donald Trump.
“I think it’s really indicative that those candidates – my opponent, Eric Hovde’s opponent, and others who are in tight races – are refusing to show up to show their support for the president,” Steil said.
Baldwin previously said she would not join Biden in Madison because of her “Fired Up for Tammy” tour around the state.
In the most recent cause for Democratic alarm, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers attended a classical music concert instead of joining the rest of the nation’s Democratic governors on a presidential call.
