Baldwin Highlights Social Security In Two-Minute DNC Speech
Wisconsin Senator, who faces her own reelection battle, says Harris would protect benefits.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin at the Democratic National Convention podium Thursday evening, where she spoke about protecting Social Security. (Screenshot | Democratic National Convention YouTube channel)
Speaking in the first hour of Thursday night’s festivities at the Democratic National Convention, Sen. Tammy Baldwin held up Vice President Kamala Harris as a champion for older Americans who as president would bolster Social Security.
The hour-long segment, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. central time, featured nearly 20 speakers who addressed the concerns of middle-class families, from public education to child care to housing.
Baldwin got two minutes of that hour, sandwiched between Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), who praised Harris’ work as California’s attorney general going after mortgage brokers accused of taking advantage of borrowers, and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) who said Harris understood and supported families’ need for affordable child care.
Baldwin recounted her upbringing by “two incredible grandparents who stepped in and raised me” after she was born to a teen mother who had struggled with addiction.
“Everything I know I learned from them in every way a child needs,” Baldwin said of her grandparents, David and Doris Green.
“My grandparents were there for me, and as they grew older, it was my privilege to be there for them,” Baldwin said. “So when I work to protect Medicare and Social Security, I do it with a personal knowledge of what those big programs meant in small but deeply meaningful ways to my grandparents, and I know what they mean for your parents and grandparents.”
As former President Donald Trump runs for another term, “that is all at risk today,” Baldwin said.
Trump has been quoted as saying he would address forecast shortfalls in Social Security by cutting waste. “He said, and I quote, ‘There’s a lot you can do in terms of cutting,” Baldwin said. “Cutting! He’s talking about cutting Social Security and Medicare while giving a huge new tax break to billionaires and corporations.”
She vowed that the Democratic candidates for president and vice president would stand in the way.
“Kamala Harris is not going to let that happen, and Tim Walz is not going to let that happen,” Baldwin said. “We are not going to let that happen.”
She turned back to Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
“You know, they’ve got it backwards,” Baldwin said. “We Democrats, we honor our elders and ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share.”
“Wisconsin’s state motto is ‘Forward,’” she concluded, “and my friends, that’s where we’re headed.”
In a two-minute pitch, Baldwin highlights Harris as a Social Security protector was originally published by Wisconsin Examiner.
I wish that Senator Baldwin would write more about what she has done and what she plans to do to improve conditions in the United States and the world.
I appreciate her speech. But how many people are being shot in Milwaukee (and Chicago)? We are spending Trillions on the US military, and what is killing the people in the United States are drugs. The CIA, NSA, DIA, . . . can’t figure out where drugs come from?
I’m not anti-Jewish. Is killing women and children improving the security of Israel? Can the United States afford to give money away to arm Israel war criminals? What does the rest of the world think when they see women and children – innocents killed? I don’t support war crimes, and I don’t understand why those in leadership do nothing.
I also don’t understand why Senator Baldwin doesn’t do anything to hold those who fail in the military accountable. Read the book “Fat Leonard” by Craig Whitlock and ask yourself why they’re receiving full retirement. A US Army Colonel,
Colonel Normert Vergez accepted bribes while on active duty, retired, and was convicted in federal court. He receives more than $6,235 per month in military retirement.
I could go on and on. . . . My concern is why there are so many failures, and no one is held accountable. Colonel Vergez could be reduced to the retired list—something for those who steal from Soldiers and the United States.
I’m afraid that Senator Baldwin goes along. What if she said “NO.” It’s not right to kill women and children, and the United States (my country) doesn’t support war crimes? What if she said, “NO” – you don’t get full retirement when you fail the United States? What if . . . I know – getting reelected is more important . . . I know – I don’t want to upset those who hand out money . . . I have to agree with the party line, whatever that may be.
Perhaps we need people who read more – – “The Watchdog,” “Operation Paperclip,” “On the Psychology of Military Incompetence,” “The Best and the Brightest,” “Leaders Eat Last,” “Crisis of Command,” “Off the Edge,” “The Right Way to Lose a War,” “Great Society,” “Hazardous Duty,” “About Face,” One Bullet Away,” “The Diary of a West Point Cadet,” . . .
I wish that I could believe in those who represent us (the people) in Washington. I don’t want a letter asking for money; I want a letter explaining what great things Senator Baldwin has done and what great things she is working on. . .
Waiting for you to provide criticism and suggestions for Wisconsin’s other Senator. Equal time you know.
I could say the same about both. I am even more disappointed with Representative Fitzgerald.
During the last election cycle, I wrote the following letter to the editor, hoping that Representative Fitzgerald would respond.
Dear Editor,
Like most Americans, I have a job, house, family, and little free time. I want to trust my representatives in Congress.
I have a few questions for Representative Fitzgerald:
1. Why did you vote against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have allowed, not required, the Active US Military to help people in the United States when there was a Presidential declaration of a major disaster? Active Army Soldiers, paid every day of the year, are sitting around wondering why they can’t help their neighbors. There is a cost to the community and US Government when the National Guard is activated – money has to come from somewhere to pay part-time National Guard salaries. The Active Military already being paid isn’t allowed to help?
2. You voted for the Burn Pit PACT Act, and we must care for our veterans. Why aren’t you holding the military leadership accountable for exposing our military to burn pits? Why isn’t Congress holding military leadership accountable – reduced on the retired list? Is it true that the Congressional Budget Office projected costs are more than one hundred billion? Does the law you voted for, also increase the pay for those at the highest levels of the Veterans Health Administration? Does the bill eliminate the dollar limit on employee bonuses?
3. What have you done to hold anyone in the government accountable for failures or breaking the law? 10 US Code Section 1370, when substantial evidence of misconduct during active duty comes to light after retirement, a Regular Commissioned Officer can be reduced. Look at Afghanistan; Colonel Vergez was convicted in federal court for accepting bribes while on active duty, and he is rewarded with more than $6,000 per month in retirement. There is Brigadier General Reheisher with the G222 and more than $500 million wasted, and he’s receiving $10,897 a month in retirement. What have you done to hold those who have failed our country accountable?
4. What are your thoughts on the expulsion of Representative Santos, an admitted liar?
I hope you will publish Representative Fitzgerald’s responses. Thank you in advance for your time.
Sincerely,
No response from Representative Fitzgerald.
The Burn Pit PACT Act increases pay for the Veterans Health Administration. Why not pay for medical education – and increase the number of doctors and nurses? Increase the number of medical professionals authorized the US Army – increase the output of the US Army LPN Program with Soldiers assigned to work in Veterans Hospitals. What is more critical to the security of the United States? Two infantry battalions or a few hundred doctors, nurses, . . . ?
When you can’t find a doctor that accepts Medicare – think about why. Could it be that the doctor is now working at the Vetrains’ Hospital?
So, what is the solution?
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Senator Baldwin is currently sending me e-mails asking for money. All there is the request for money – nothing about her accomplishments and plans.
Good morning, Robert! ☕
I’m sorry to reach out so early on a Sunday, but this update couldn’t wait.
The recent polling trends in our Senate race are concerning me.
Poll after poll has revealed my right-wing opponent closing the gap in this race to the point where we’re statistically tied.
Eric Hovde’s campaign is even promoting internal polling that shows him taking the lead.
Wisconsin’s Senate seat could determine which party controls the Senate majority, so we cannot afford to let Hovde flip this seat red.
But Republicans have already flooded our state with $30 million worth of ads (and counting) to defeat me, and this week, Hovde and his allies outspent us on the airwaves.
I’m running out of time to fight back, and I can’t loan myself $13 million like my opponent can. Instead, I’m counting on your support to help us keep Wisconsin’s Senate seat blue.
Can I count on you to chip in any amount today to defend this Senate seat and our Democratic Senate majority before our August fundraising deadline expires?
If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:
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Thank you so much for opening this email over the weekend, and chipping in if you can, Robert. Your support means the world to me.
— Tammy