In the dynamic political landscape of Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson, a seasoned Republican and the state's former governor provided a detailed blueprint for Donald Trump's potential success in the upcoming presidential election.
The Washington Examiner reported that Thompson, who governed Wisconsin for 14 years, suggested that Trump, who claimed the state in 2016 but succumbed to a narrow defeat in 2020, can rebound if he focuses on community engagement and targeted messaging.
Thompson's experience in Wisconsin state politics, marked by a lengthy tenure and considerable success, places him in an ideal position to advise Trump on his campaign strategies. His insights come as Trump fell slightly short by just over 20,000 votes in the 2020 elections against Joe Biden.
With state polls predicting a close race for November, Thompson highlighted how returning to the very methods that previously secured Wisconsin under his leadership could prove successful for Trump.
Thompson insists on the necessity of presence and direct communication, recalling Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, where her absence from Wisconsin was perceived as one of the critical oversights that led to her loss. "She didn’t come and guess what happened? She lost. You have to appear here. You have to be here. You have to show up," Thompson emphasized, drawing parallels between past and current campaign dynamics.
Reflecting on his campaign doctrines, Thompson advises Trump not to disregard Democratic strongholds like Milwaukee and Dane Counties.
Rather than aiming for outright victories in these areas, reducing the margins of loss could tilt statewide results in his favor. "It’s not winning or losing. It’s diminishing how much you’re going to lose by that makes you win statewide,” he stated. This comes as Trump intensifies his presence in Wisconsin with visits this year to cities including Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Racine.
In an encouraging development for Trump’s campaign, the Republicans hosted their convention and the initial primary debate in Milwaukee, showcasing the state’s crucial position in national politics. Concurrent with these GOP efforts, Vice President Kamala Harris has also toured Wisconsin, indicating the heightened attention from both parties towards this battleground state.
Critics argue that Trump’s persistent focus on disproven claims of electoral fraud and disparagement of opponents like Kamala Harris could be diluting his campaign's main message.
Thompson suggests a refocus on appealing policy proposals such as the elimination of taxes on Social Security benefits and moderating contentious issues like abortion by delegating them to states’ jurisdiction. Furthermore, emphasizing safety and parental rights in education might resonate particularly well with suburban women, an influential demographic according to Thompson.
“You’ve got to be willing to go to the black churches and the labor unions and be willing to show up in Milwaukee and show them that you care about their issues,” Thompson continued, emphasizing the importance of tailored messages that address specific community concerns and aspirations.
"What does the future portend? What do you expect to accomplish?" he posed, suggesting that answers to these questions should shape Trump’s outreach.
Thompson remains upbeat about Trump's chances, advocating a positive, engaging campaign approach. “You’ve got to have a cheery and smiley and positive attitude about Wisconsin, about the government, about what you want to do,” he remarked.
His confidence in Trump’s adaptability and potential to make gains was evident as he supported the former president's campaign direction saying, “That’s a great idea."
In conclusion, with strategic adjustments and a focused approach to key demographics and issues, Trump can potentially realign his campaign to recapture Wisconsin, drawing from the experienced playbook of Tommy Thompson.
This strategy unfolds as both parties underscore the state’s importance with frequent visits and targeted campaigns, setting the stage for a fiercely contested November showdown.