With Josh Marshall wondering if maybe Tammy’s not surging in Wisconsin, I think I can explain why that surge would be happening. In Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren gets a similar surge, but it follows a masterful and high profile speech at the DNC. Baldwin spoke too, but not in a slot where most would’ve seen her. If Tammy’s surging like Warren, it’s not for the same reason.
But Tammy Baldwin was the first openly lesbian member of congress and, if elected, she’d be the first openly lesbian Senator. The historic nature of her political career makes her a fundraising powerhouse. She’s been running ads slamming Thompson’s ties to Wall Street and painting him as a changed man from when he was the governor — a lot of ads. And she can likely afford to run a lot more.
On top of that, the recall movement structure has never really gone away, despite losing that election. All the volunteers are still out there and they all want to see Tammy win. A lot of people with clipboards are knocking doors right now.
