'Close the deal.' Weekend Dem event in Janesville focuses on final campaign message

JANESVILLE — A rally by pro-labor Democrats in Janesville over the weekend focused less on campaign issues and policy, and more on the keys actions needed to win on Nov. 5.

The Sen. Tammy Baldwin campaign bus rolled up to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers headquarters in Janesville Saturday morning.

Baldwin, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, congressional candidate Peter Barca and IBEW International Vice President Mike Clemmons spoke to an estimated crowd of 200.

Volunteers signed up to knock on doors in Janesville after hearing from the featured speakers. Baldwin said the door knockers should make sure to tell prospective voters why they were working for a candidate.

“One of the things I think that’s so compelling when you’re talking to others is stating your why,” Baldwin said. “Why did you take time out of a beautiful Saturday to knock on doors?

“Maybe it’s because you want your rights and freedoms back, maybe it’s because you’re thinking about your children or grandchildren’s future, maybe it’s the fight for healthcare you can afford,” she said.

And, Baldwin said, “don’t forget to close the deal.”

Baldwin talked about a lesson former United States House of Representatives Speaker Tip O’Neill mentioned in his book about politics being local.

The day before O’Neill’s first election, his neighbor, Mrs. O’Brien, told him she would vote for him despite not being asked. O’Neill took her message to heart and the next day he asked his wife to please vote for him.

“She said, Tip, I’ll give it all due consideration,’” Baldwin said. “When you’re at the doors, be sure to close the deal. People like to be asked.”

Baldwin reminded the labor audience of the importance of each and every vote in Wisconsin.

“We were the tipping point state in 2000 when Joe Biden won by six tenths of 1 percent here,” she said. “This race is just as close. It could come down to just one or two votes per precinct.”

If each person at the rally could persuade one more person when knocking on doors to vote for Democratic candidates, that could be the one or two votes per precinct that make a difference, Baldwin said.

One issue Baldwin mentioned was her “Buy America” initiative. Baldwin wrote amendments to the infrastructure and inflation reduction bills to enact permanent buy America rules.

“It is about keeping job here and bringing jobs back to America,” she said.

Evers said the election is not only about November 5.

“It’s about today and every day until the 5th,” Evers aid. “What you’re doing today and every day until the election is vitally important. It will make the difference.”