Oshkosh feels the Bern as octogenarian outsider seeks to squeeze out votes for democrats
Outside of EAA and the now defunct Country and Rock USA, Oshkosh doesn’t exactly ring the bell on a national level. On November 5, however, the buzz increased substantially as U.S. Senator Sanders visited Oshkosh at a United Auto Workers labor union building
This visit, entirely on brand considering Sanders’ continuous support for company unions, was to initiate a final push for votes in hopes of electing Democratic candidates. Sanders formally endorsed Lieutenant Governor and U.S Senate Nominee Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Mayor of Oshkosh and Member of State Assembly candidate Lori Palmeri, and others.
Wisconsin has been identified as a swing state for years now. With the 2022 midterms nearing at the time of Sanders’ visit, the Senate and Congressional races in this state were a nationwide focal point. Wisconsin’s importance to this election was constantly reiterated by many, including Sanders.
“This, in my view, is the most consequential midterm election in the modern history of this country,” he said. “What’s on the line is democracy and whether we maintain a democratic form of government.”
For Sanders, the past two years have been difficult in terms of passing legislation. This is because Democrats have held a slim majority over the U.S. Senate and Congress. Grasping onto more seats has proven to be a difficult challenge.
“You have two corporate sellouts in the Democratic senate right now, we need two other senators and Barnes will be one of those [Barnes ended up losing a tight contest to Republican Ron Johnson],” he said. “When we have him seated, we can begin to address the needs of working families.”
During Sanders’ speech, he covered key voter issues: abortion, corporate unions, higher federal minimum wages, climate change, and other pivotal topics. He stressed the importance of closing the wealth gap between the extreme upper class and the middle class. Those attending the rally rallied around Sanders’ sentiments.
“Our current political climate cannot continue to decline,” they said. “Having Barnes, among other democrats, running for election is vital.”
Oshkosh was one of multiple Wisconsin cities Sanders visited. His Wisconsin tour consisted of four stops: Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, and Oshkosh, all of which houses a UW campus. Holding each event in a college town was out of an effort to encourage university students to vote as the votes of the youth are at an all-time low. Many attendees felt seen as Sanders chose to visit their hometowns.
“Him coming to minor cities, like ours, is definitely encouraging to voters,” they said. “It implies that our city’s votes matter.”
Sanders hasn’t been the only big name rallying around Wisconsin. On October 29, former President Barack Obama came to Milwaukee with the same goal as Sanders. He arrived to endorse several Wisconsin candidates, including Evers and Barnes.
"You’ve got the chance to vote for a great and decent governor like Evers," he said. "A chance to vote for an outstanding young man who will work hard for you, Barnes."
Sanders used his time in Wisconsin to fight for what was important to him. He stepped foot in this prominent swing state in hopes of giving the party that he supported the most a valuable push. A push that would motivate Wisconsinites into turning blue.
“Let us stand together, let us fight for the nation that we know we can be,” he said. “A nation built on economic justice, racial justice, social justice, and environmental justice; we can be that nation if we come together.”
By Kassandra Bowlus-Jasinski and Kora Boese
Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue III
November 28 2022