Scott Walker’s new problem: How Michelle Obama could turn the race against him

Dems need to work the base while shaving GOP edge with suburban, rural voters. Here's how the First Lady will help

JOAN WALSH

MILWAUKEE — Democrat Mary Burke has one big advantage in running against Gov. Scott Walker: She’s not the mayor of Milwaukee, so Walker can’t run the divisive, racialized campaign against Wisconsin’s largest city – a staple of Republican politics here going back to the 1960s – that he relied on to survive a recall race against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in 2012.

On the other hand, Burke’s lack of ties to Milwaukee has raised the question of whether an affluent white business owner will be able to turn out the Democrats’ urban and non-white base on Nov. 4 in sufficient numbers to beat Walker.

First Lady Michelle Obama attempted to answer that question Monday with a passionate campaign appearance for Burke, the first time she’s stumped in a 2014 governor’s race, with Democrats fighting to hold the Senate. “I love Mary Burke!” she told the heavily African American crowd, and she said it again for emphasis. “I love her!”

Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was appearing with Walker in Hudson, Wisconsin – far from the state’s major media markets – prompting lots of Twitter jokes about whether the two scandal-dogged governors were sharing legal strategies. No love was expressed.

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http://www.salon.com/2014/09/30/scott_walkers_new_problem_how_michelle_obama_could_turn_the_race_against_him/