In a room packed full of enthusiastic supporters, gubernatorial candidate Mark Green, R-Green Bay, spoke about his high hopes for the future of Wisconsin's economy and its people.
""Everywhere I look in Wisconsin I see everything that we need to be great again as a state,"" Green said. ""You and I know we do not have a people problem in Wisconsin—we have a leadership problem.""
Green spoke about his experiences traveling throughout the state for his ""100 days, 100 ways to make Wisconsin great again"" tour. As the election nears, former governor Tommy Thompson has joined Green for the last stretch of the campaign.
Comparing the current situation in Wisconsin to twenty years ago when Thompson took office, Green said he will reinvigorate the state.
""In five days we are going to change the course of history in Wisconsin,"" Green said.
Promising to ""stand up"" for the UW system, Green addressed concerns with the increased cost of in-state tuition and emphasized his position on the state's economy.
Green stressed the need to keep in-state tuition for college students low, so that talented students don't move to competitive states.
""If we give new opportunities to our young people it will bring them home, will keep them home,"" he said. ""They'll stick around long enough to see their own kids reach even higher, that's what it's all about.""
Despite these claims, Anne Lupardus, deputy spokesperson for the Doyle campaign, said Green has voted to cut financial aid to students by $12 billion, the largest cut in federal history.
Brandon Goetzman, a member of the College Republicans and a UW-Madison finance major, joined the crowd to show his support for Green's economic policies.
""I think he's got an economic policy that's going to bring [Wisconsin] back,"" he said. ""The taxes in this state are just out of control and it sends entrepreneurs out. I want to have a governor who's going to bring [entrepreneurs] back in.""
While the war in Iraq was not mentioned in Green's speech, Jason Johns, an Iraqi Freedom Veteran, said he backs Green because he supports veteran benefits.
""Mark is a true champion for veterans,"" he said. ""I've known Mark for years and I just know anything that comes down the pipe he'd be supportive of.""
In true Wisconsin spirit, Green compared his vision for Wisconsin to legendary football coach Vince Lombardi's game plan.
""The people of this state are like Bart Starr, looking for a chance,"" Green said. ""Bart Starr needed a new coach, Wisconsin needs a new coach.""
