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Biden Urges Democrats To ‘Focus,’ Vote Early At Campaign Stop In Madison

Vice President Rallies Supporters For Clinton, Feingold

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Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event for Hillary Clinton in Madison in 2016. John K. Wilson/WPR

Vice President Joe Biden called on Democrats to “focus” and cast their ballots early during a campaign stop Friday in Madison for Democrats Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold.

Biden spoke before a crowd of about 1,200 at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Madison, according to estimates from Clinton campaign staff.

In his remarks, the vice president bashed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for his comments about women and climate change. He also called out Trump for comments Biden said “embolden” Russian president Vladimir Putin.

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“I’m not looking for you to boo or cheer,” the vice president said, as some audience members reacted to his comments about Trump. “I’m looking for you to focus, man.”

But Biden pulled no punches in his remarks about the GOP nominee.

“This man is totally, thoroughly unprepared to be the commander in chief of the United States of America,” he said. “It’s not even close.”

Biden also spent time tying Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson to Trump. Johnson, who is locked in a neck-and-neck race with Feingold, a former Democratic U.S. senator, has denounced some of Trump’s remarks, but continues to support and campaign with him.


An estimated crowd of 1,200 turned out to hear Biden speak at the Orpheum Theater. John K. Wilson/WPR

“Sen. Johnson introduced Mr. Trump at an event they jointly did and he referred to it as the ‘Ronald and Donald Show,’” Biden said. “Well, folks, given a choice, I’ll take Ronald McDonald.”

Biden said Trump and Johnson may be different in terms of character, but said they share many important policy positions.

The vice president covered a vast array of policy topics during his time on stage, highlighting Clinton and Feingold’s support of raising the minimum wage, providing paid family leave and preserving Social Security.

He also spoke directly to millennials in the audience, saying they will play a critical role in this year’s election. He called them “the most tolerant, giving generation in history.”

“Folks, you’re incredible, you’re absolutely incredible, and when I hear that the best days of America are already behind us, it makes me realize how fundamental this divide is in this election,” Biden said.

He ended his remarks with a call familiar to Democrats on the campaign trail, a reminder to go vote early: “We will own the finish line in the 21st century. God love you, go out and vote,” he said. “Vote, vote, vote!”