Bill Clinton Rallies Religious Voters in Milwaukee

Bill Clinton spoke this past Thursday, October 31st at The Institute for the Preservation of African-American Music and Arts, at 3200 W. Hampton Ave. to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris. He discussed topics such as the economy, healthcare, religion, and the importance of voting in a swing state.

“The future of the country is on the line and it may be decided by Wisconsin,” said Clinton.  “There’s still people who can be swayed if they aren’t planning to vote.”

The event was faith-based and aimed at religious, mostly Baptist voters. The event was set to try and rally votes for Harris and Moore for the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 5th. 

“This is interesting for me. I’m not running for anything, except my grandchildren’s future, and your children and grandchildren,” said Clinton. “I’m missing Halloween tonight, usually I spend it with them. I got an excused absence because my daughter and son-in-law know what’s on the line and because Hillary beat me home by a little bit, you know how it is with grandkids.”

Congresswoman re-elect Gwen Moore was the other notable speaker of the night. Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional district in 2004. She was the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Wisconsin. 

When asked how she felt about the upcoming election Moore answered, “I see that we are building a tremendous amount of momentum and I’m encouraged because a lot of young people are going to the polls, a lot of first-time voters. 

The event was set to run from 5:20 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. but Bill Clinton arrived late and didn’t begin speaking until around 6:00 p.m. He was only supposed to speak for ten minutes but he went over and it was around thirty minutes.

Clinton started his speech targeting the rhetoric being thrown around from party to party, specifically to the followers of the Republican nominee. “I’ve always given up making conventional speeches in favor of just trying to explain things to people. It’s such a crazy time, everyones calling everyone else names. If we raised our children to behave the way that Donald Trump has raised politicians, they all have to go to some sort of reform school before they’d get to go to college.”

Clinton went on to discuss the border, noting Biden’s border policy and how he believes that Harris will create a strong border policy that will still allow immigrants to seek asylum and apply for citizenship.

He also briefly touched on the topic of transgender people in sports. “Trump’s goal is to keep people upset. He goes to all these sporting events and they’re trying to make you mad about the NCAA’s position on transgender athletes, but we have nothing to do with it.” Clinton continues on to say this is an issue to be taken up with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Clinton jumped to the economy and the plans both candidates have as well as both candidates’ health care policies. He went on to praise Harris for her health care policy and ridiculed Trump’s plan. Both Trump and Harris have their plans listed on their campaign sites.

Clinton expressed his support for two-term limits, “It’s a good thing we have a two-term limit because you would’ve had to carry me out in a wooden box or beat me but it would’ve been wrong. I think we should all honor the obligation we have, to give our generation another chance. So please do what you can because it all may come down to Wisconsin.”

“We have to make the most of our assets, seize our opportunities, beat back our problems, and do it with a system where we all live under the same set of rules,” said Clinton in his closing remarks, “It’s been a great honor for me to try and do right by my grandchildren in this campaign.