Obama and the Democratic Message In Wisconsin and the Nation

What Went Wrong (Message, Media or National Mood)?

President Barack Obama received a rousing welcome to the UW-Madison campus, Tuesday Sept. 28. The young, old, Democrats, Republicans, students, professors and people far and near turned out in great numbers and the crowd almost became uncontrollable.

The President and his entourage, including Sen. Russ Feingold, Mayor Tom Barrett and other speakers, fired up the population. Despite the fact that the event was open to the public, it would appear that the planning committee and the police in Madison underestimated the number of people who would attend to see and hear the president. People came from all parts of the state and beyond - Minneapolis, Chicago, Dubuque and other neighboring out of state cities. The Midwest loves President Obama.

I drove from Platteville to Madison around midday and I was lucky to get into the mall and to find a good spot from where I took pictures and listened to the speeches. I believe the police and organizers did a great job of managing the overflowing crowd. They were no incidents or injuries despite some stampede.

Could the Kohl center or Camp Randle have accommodated more people than the Library mall? Could the university have worked more closely with the city in planning for a large crowd? I feel the frustration of those who came from far and near but could not gain admission into the mall. It is also sad that some of those who got into the mall could not see the stage because of the population. Why were large monitors not provided to carry the event within the area and up to Bascom Hill?

Despite the campaign and the progress agenda put forth by the democrats the results of the mid term vote in November was disappointing. What went wrong? Why was Feingold and the many democratic candidates in Wisconsin replaced by republicans? The democrats have to rethink their strategy of compromise. The have to be forceful and clear in telling the voters what they have done and intent to do. The next national election is not far from now.