Hillary Clinton is taking aim at Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, one of her potential adversaries for the presidency in 2016.
In a speech in Washington, D.C., on Friday to the Democratic National Committee’s women’s leadership forum, Clinton gave a boost to Democrat Mary Burke, who is running against Walker.
Walker is weighing whether to run for president, and is considered a likely frontrunner should he decide to run — but first, he will need to win re-election this year.
Add Clinton to the long list of Democrats working to ensure Walker does not succeed.
“[Burke] is offering a choice between more gridlock and progress that will actually make a difference for Wisconsin families: better jobs, better wages, better schools,” Clinton said.
Clinton pointed to Minnesota as a state that has flourished under a Democratic governor, while its neighbor Wisconsin, she argued, has floundered.
“I come from the school that says, results matter, evidence matters,” Clinton said. “And the evidence is in. Smart, progressive policies in Minnesota led to more job creation and more economic growth. Wisconsin deserves better, and with Mary Burke, it will get better.”
Burke’s candidacy has become a beacon of hope for Democrats during an otherwise discouraging midterm election year, as she has consistently polled at pace with Walker.
Now, big names in the Democratic Party are flocking to help her. Vice President Joe Biden, for example, plans to travel to Wisconsin soon to campaign on her behalf.
The potential upside to defeating Walker for Clinton and Biden extends well beyond 2016: Both are weighing bids for president, and both would stand to benefit from taking out a potential Republican adversary.
