Democrats convening in Appleton

WLUK TV

Reporter: Alex Ronallo

Updated: Jun 11, 2012 11:55 AM

APPLETON — The state Democratic Party is holding its convention Friday and Saturday in Appleton. The meeting comes a few days after Democrats failed to unseat Gov. Scott Walker and four other Republicans in recall elections.

Their goal now is to refocus on President Barack Obama's re-election bid and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin's Senate run.

This weekend's guest speakers include Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Florida congresswoman who chairs the Democratic National Committee. Baldwin is also scheduled to speak. She's running for Sen. Herb Kohl's seat.

Kohl is retiring rather than run for a fifth Senate term. He's expected to give a farewell address Saturday morning.

Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's campaign for retiring Democrat Herb Kohl's senate seat is a top priority for the party.

"I think we can all agree there's too many politics and games being played and not enough focus on the real struggles of Wisconsin families," Baldwin told FOX 11.

Ben Sparks with the Republican Party of Wisconsin told us Baldwin is not the right person for the job.

"Right now we have four very strong candidates for United States Senate, any of whom would be more than capable of defeating Tammy Baldwin," said Sparks.

Following the August primary one of four candidates could end up facing Baldwin: former Governor Tommy Thompson, former Congressman Mark Neumann, businessman Eric Hovde and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald.

"Look, Tammy Baldwin is the most liberal member of Congress and I think voters have had enough of the Democrats' agenda," said Sparks.

But Baldwin looks at herself much differently. She cited a record of working across the aisle since being elected to Congress in 1998.

"What I am is a fighter and I'm not afraid to stand up to some pretty powerful interests...I've fought for tax fairness with the Buffett Rule," said Baldwin.

Still Sparks said after the democrats' failed attempt to recall Governor Scott Walker, Baldwin doesn't stand a chance.

"The majority of Wisconsin voters are at odds with the liberal policies being pushed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin," said Sparks.

While Baldwin told us that just proved the voters don't like recalls, not Democrats.

"I think people very much separate what happened Tuesday from what's going to happen in fall," said Baldwin.

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