Former Vice President Joe Biden was welcomed by over 1,000 people Tuesday morning in Madison during a campaign rally for U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers.
Biden’s visit marked the most recent from a high-profile, Democratic figure, trailing former President Barack Obama, who visited on Friday and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who stopped in Wisconsin last Monday.
After speeches from Evers and other party candidates and officials, Baldwin introduced Biden, who took the stage to roaring applause and spoke for more than a half hour.
The former vice president heaped praise on Evers and Baldwin, touting their character and progressive values.
“You talk about character —Tammy is an amazing woman,” he said of Baldwin. “She’s decent, she’s honorable, she’s authentic.”
Biden went on to talk about the current state of politics, denouncing incivility that he believes has come to dominate American politics and the Republican Party. He called out President Trump and his party for their rhetoric and for empowering nationalists and extremists.
“Folks, we are so much better than this,” he said. “I am sick and tired of this administration. I am sick and tired of what’s going on.”
He called this election “a battle for America’s soul," and he ended his speech directly addressing the audience, specifically students and young people, saying “get out and vote!”
Steve, a 75-year-old veteran from Sun Prairie who was at the rally, said he absolutely planned on voting. He called the lack of gun control in the United States “obscene.”
Mary, a 60-year-old lawyer from Stoughton, said the most important issue to her is healthcare and listed it as her reason for supporting Democrats. As someone with a pre-existing condition, she talked about the importance of making sure people with pre-existing conditions are covered.
Students Nikki Cuevas, Ana Demendoza and Iris Cuevas found out about the campaign rally the previous night and decided to come out for the chance to see Baldwin and Biden speak. The students listed healthcare and immigration as the most important issues of the election. All three said they planned on voting.
After his speech, the crowd was energized as they swarmed the former vice president, who characteristically met them to shake hands and take selfies.
