Barack Obama made headlines on Tuesday when he addressed a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, alongside Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, after a minor plane issue caused him to arrive late. The former U.S. president, 63, explained that his plane had to make an unplanned return due to an oil leak, forcing him and his team to drive from Chicago instead.
"It is good to be back in Madison! It is good to be here," Obama told the enthusiastic crowd. "First of all, I want to apologize, I was a little late," he added, smiling as a supporter yelled out, "I love you!" Obama responded warmly, "I love you back!" before explaining the reason for his delayed arrival.
"I was in my hometown, Chicago, and so we boarded the plane, great takeoff. And then the pilot comes in and says, 'Sir, there's a pile of oil leaking out of the back of the plane.' And I don't know much about planes, but I do know they shouldn't be leaking oil," he joked. "So, we had a nice road trip instead." The two-hour drive from Chicago to Madison was a significant change from the quick flight he had planned. Nevertheless, Obama remained upbeat.
The rally in Madison was part of a broader push to mobilize voters in battleground states ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Walz, the governor of Minnesota, is serving as the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the race earlier in the year. Obama has been an active supporter of the Harris-Walz ticket, and both he and former First Lady Michelle Obama have publicly endorsed Harris. In a previous statement, Obama expressed his pride, saying, "Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office."
Walz emphasized the importance of voter turnout, telling the crowd, "Even one or two extra votes per precinct will be enough to win this thing and send Kamala to the White House." His message comes as both campaigns brace for a tight race in key states like Wisconsin, where early voting is already underway.
Obama echoed the urgency, reminding supporters that every vote counts. "We know this election is going to be tight," Obama said. "It's going to be tight here in Wisconsin, it's going to be tight all across our country." He also took the opportunity to mock former President Donald Trump, stating that Trump seemed "even loonier" than he was in 2016.
Voters across Wisconsin began casting early ballots on Oct. 22, with long lines reported in several cities, including Madison and Milwaukee. Early voting is a critical focus for both parties, especially in battleground states where the margins can be razor-thin. Trump lost Wisconsin by just under 21,000 votes in 2020, and both he and Harris are expecting another close contest.
Obama's visit to Wisconsin came as part of a broader tour of battleground states to encourage early voting. He was scheduled to visit Michigan later in the day, one of several stops he is making to galvanize support for Harris in critical "blue wall" states.
Voters in Wisconsin are already showing strong engagement. In the Milwaukee suburbs and conservative areas, turnout for early voting has been high, as Republicans and Democrats alike urge their supporters to cast their ballots early. The 2024 election has seen a surge in early voting across the country, with absentee ballots already being returned at record rates in states like Georgia and North Carolina.
Republicans, including Trump, have also shifted their stance on early and absentee voting, embracing it more openly this election cycle after years of pushing false claims about mail-in voting fraud. Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming noted that Republicans have been clear in their support for early voting this year, even encouraging the use of absentee ballot drop boxes-something Trump had previously opposed.
