Biden out, Harris in: Wisconsin reacts

The response by state politicians to last Sunday’s announcement that President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the presidential race was generally standard fare — Democrats heaped praise on the president and called him a “consequential” leader for the ages; Republicans criticized what they called a Democratic cover-up of Biden’s cognitive decline — but there were a few new wrinkles, from subtle language to turn-about proposals.

Gov. Tony Evers played it straight from the Democratic playbook, saying Biden had been instrumental in saving democracy.

“President Biden has been an extraordinary president, one of — if not the most — well-accomplished presidents of my lifetime,” Evers said. “He has led and guided us through some of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history — a ravaging pandemic and economic disaster, wars the world over, an insurrection, and a near-daily assault on basic tenets of our democracy and our more prized institutions.”

Evers said Biden has been a leader who always chose unity over division, people over politics, selflessness over selfishness, and decency and respect over cruelty and retribution.

“That’s as evident today as it has been throughout each day of his decades of public service,” he said. “I’ve been proud and honored to support him, and I’m incredibly grateful for all the work we’ve been able to do together.”

State Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) said she was filled with gratitude for Biden and his lifetime of public service. 

“This decision was courageous and reflects the president’s selfless dedication to his country,” Agard said. “There is no doubt in my mind that his achievements will cement Joe Biden’s legacy as one of the most consequential presidents of our time. President Biden has always put the interests of the nation and the people he serves first.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan followed suit, but said Donald Trump should take a cue from Biden.

“I thank President Biden for his tremendous service to this country,” Pocan said. “He has been a tremendously effective president, from getting us out of Covid to reinvigorating the economy. His progressive accomplishments have been helpful to everyday Americans in my district. His announcement puts his country over his own ambition, making him truly a fire-breathing, flying unicorn by Washington D.C. standards.”

However, Pocan said, on the other side of the coin, the Republican Party had just re-nominated a 34-time convicted felon, sex abuser, and author of Project 2025 to be on the ballot. (Trump has denied any authorship of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and has denounced significant portions of it.)

Pocan said a twice-impeached insurrectionist should never go anywhere near the White House. 

“Moreover, he would be the oldest and most unstable man ever to occupy the Oval Office,” he said. “I call on the Republican Party to have the necessary discussion about Donald Trump stepping aside and letting a new generation run for office.”

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin dressed her praise in military and service language, praising his decision to “stand down.”

“It has been an honor to work with Joe Biden to deliver real, meaningful change for working Wisconsinites across our state,” Baldwin said. “Today, seniors are paying less for their prescription drugs, our state has been put to work rebuilding our infrastructure, and millions of Wisconsinites with preexisting conditions have health care coverage because of the work we’ve done together.”

On the other hand

Republicans generally targeted what they called a lack of democracy and transparency in a party that says it’s all about saving democracy.

“Having already denied voters the chance to replace Joe Biden during the primaries, the Democrat Party is now subjecting the American people to chaos, uncertainty, and an incapacitated presidency,” Wisconsin GOP chairman Brian Schimmings said. “If Joe Biden is incapable of the rigors of running for reelection, then he cannot be trusted to fulfill the duties of his office. Everyone from Vice President Harris, Tammy Baldwin, and the Democrat establishment bears responsibility for enabling the vanity and self-delusion of the Bidens.”

Wisconsin Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde said his opponent, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, was in on the complicity.

“While Democrats across the country stood up and asked President Biden to step aside, Sen. Tammy Baldwin did exactly what she’s done for over 25 years in Washington — nothing,” Hovde said. “She stayed on the sidelines, dodging reporters and refusing to stand up for Wisconsinites. She’s been friends with President Biden for decades and never once told us about his obvious problems. We need to know right now — how long has Tammy Baldwin been part of the Biden cover-up?”

For years, Hovde said, Democrats hid the truth behind Joe Biden’s condition: “They were more focused on holding onto power than solving the problems our nation faces,” he said.

But, as the focus shifts to a new Democratic nominee, Hovde said Republicans should concentrate on the party’s policies, not the person at the top of the Democratic ticket.

“It really doesn’t matter who the Democrats pick,” he said. “All the top options hold extreme views completely out of touch with our nation and are complicit in this scandal to defraud the American people. They will all push agendas that make America less safe and put more burden on American families. This is exactly why it’s time for a change.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson echoed Hovde’s caution to the GOP to keep their eyes on the policy ball.

“For the past year I’ve doubted Biden would be the Democrat nominee,” Johnson wrote on X. “That’s why I’ve said Democrat ideology, policies, and governance are destroying this country — not just Biden. Any Democrat — including VP Harris — will be equally destructive.”

Meanwhile, Democrats moved quickly this week to unite behind Vice-President Kamala Harris — as of this writing she appeared headed to nomination by acclamation, having already secured a majority of delegates needed for nomination — and Wisconsin was no exception, as the party’s establishment quickly endorsed her.

Those included Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Reps. Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan, attorney general Josh Kaul, secretary of state Sarah Godlewski, and state superintendent of public instruction Jill Underly.