Mary Burke, Susan Happ rally progressives at Fighting Bob Fest
BARABOO -- As the sun started to warm the Sauk County Fairgrounds on a brisk September morning, Democratic attorney general candidate Susan Happ told a crowd of progressives, it's an "exciting political year in Wisconsin."
"For the first time, we've got a woman running for governor and a woman running for attorney general," the Jefferson County district attorney said. "And I won't tell you from which party, but I will tell you that one of us rides a Trek and the other rides a Harley."
Both Happ the one with the Harley and Mary Burke, of Trek Bicycle heritage, presented themselves at Fighting Bob Fest as tough fighters ready to take on their Republican opponents in the Nov. 4 election. Happ faces Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel, and Burke is challenging Gov. Scott Walker.
"I'm ready for a fight, and we're in a real fight here in Wisconsin, arent we? Were in a protracted battle to protect our rights. The right wing wants to restrict our right to vote and somewhere along the way, they forgot about the 'right' part. Now, the Constitution doesnt say you get to vote if you have government-issued ID. It says you have the right to vote," Happ said, referencing the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals' Friday decision to reinstate Wisconsin's Voter ID law.
Burke also mentioned the ruling, calling it a "road bump." She urged the audience not to let it stand in the way of showing a strong turnout at the polls.
Happ's speech was a battle cry, rallying progressive troops to fight against "wars" waged by conservative politicians on marriage equality, the environment and women's rights. She spoke against the influence of corporate money in politics, like many at the gathering.
"Now were on the road to taking Wisconsin back to where people, not partisan politics, are the top priority," Happ said. "Where its the size of your heart, not your wallet, that counts. Where government is not for sale. It's not even for rent. And I'm ready to fight to make that happen."
Burke also promised to stand strong throughout the race, and not back down in the face of attack ads. Both gubernatorial candidates have run ads critical of the other candidate, but the Republican Governors Association fired the race's opening salvo, against Burke, in February.
Burke used a drawing given to her by a first-grade student to illustrate what she said her campaign is about: better schools, better jobs and a better Wisconsin.
She told a story about a summer project her family took on when she was growing up building a stone walkway to their house to illustrate the work ethic instilled in her by her parents.
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Mary Burke, Susan Happ rally progressives at Fighting Bob Fest