Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Democrats have a very good chance of recapturing the U.S. Senate, and once thought to be beyond the realm of possibility, the majority in the House of Representatives may also be in play.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been at each others’ throats for what seems like an eternity to most voters.
Per the vast majority of national polls, Hillary appears to be comfortably ahead as the campaign enters the final two weeks before the general election on November 8.
Fully cognizant of its recent uptick in the polls, the Clinton campaign has been showing signs of shifting focus from its primary objective, defeating Donald Trump, to accomplishing its secondary mission: bolstering Democrats in down-ballot contests.
From all evidence, the political fallout from Trump’s toxic campaign appears to be having a ripple effect.
Democrats have a very good chance of recapturing the U.S. Senate and, once thought to be beyond the realm of possibility, the majority in the House of Representatives may also be in play.
As most of us know, Wisconsin is one of 11 battlegrounds, or swing states, and both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are vying desperately for its 10 electoral votes. But, there is also a very important U.S. Senate race taking place in the Badger State.
This contest pits Democrat (and former incumbent) Russ Feingold, against the Republican candidate who currently holds the seat, Ron Johnson.
As in the presidential election, the differences that separate Feingold and Johnson in this Senate contest couldn’t be any starker.
Russ Feingold is running on a progressive platform that advocates for working families, students, the poor, and the elderly. While Johnson, on the other hand, jokes about the prospects of campaigning with Donald Trump (e.g. – “the Ronald and the Donald”).
During his term as senator, Johnson voted to abolish the Department of Education and end all federal student aid. He supports privatizing Social Security and wants to raise the mandatory retirement age to 70 for retired workers.
With just two weeks remaining, it now appears that Hillary Clinton is on the cusp of a truly remarkable achievement — becoming the first woman to be elected president of the United States.
However, she is fully aware that her ability to govern and affect political change will be predicated, in large measure, by the makeup of Congress she inherits. And, down ballot elections will determine the Congressional composition.
Moreover, the legitimacy of Hillary’s presidency may be called into question, if Trump makes good on his threat not to concede the election.
This would only serve to underscore the obvious fact that Donald Trump has no real understanding of our American Democracy, and was totally unfit to serve in the White House.