A top state Republican Party is downplaying the impact of visit from President Obama on the race for governor. Obama was in Southeastern Wisconsin this morning, where he attended a fundraiser for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Democratic candidate for governor. State GOP Chairman Reince Priebus says a visit from Obama is like the kiss of death for campaigns and trying to ride on the coattails of the President is like having an “anchor tied around a candidate’s neck.”
Obama also toured ZBB Energy in Menomonee Falls, which benefitted from a federal stimulus loan. Priebus says he would have been better off coming to Madison though, because the Capitol is the only place where Democrats seem interested in creating new jobs.
Priebus also doubts the potential financial boost a visit from the President could give to Barrett’s campaign will give the candidate much of advantage over Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, the GOP frontrunner in the race for governor. Priebus says they’re own fundraising and volunteer efforts have already been going strong.