Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is getting some bona fide top-tier help in the home stretch of the Wisconsin gubernatorial recall.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, announced Thursday that former President Bill Clinton is coming in:
Proud to announce that President Clinton will be in Wisconsin tomorrow to campaign with @Barrett4WI. #WIrecall
— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) May 31, 2012
A Democratic source tells TPM that the Clinton event will be held late Friday morning in downtown Milwaukee, with the full details still to be determined.
“President Clinton is a true public servant who has dedicated his career to helping middle class Americans and those trying to reach the middle class achieve the American Dream,” Wasserman Schultz said, in a press release.
“Having just been in Wisconsin this week, I know how important the recall election is and how dedicated Democrats and Wisconsin’s middle class families are to this effort.”
Republican Gov. Scott Walker has harnessed a much more prominent set of surrogates, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and others.
Indeed, some liberals have prominently grumbled throughout the recall about a lack of national backup.
This has recently started to change. Though Wasserman Schultz earlier downplayed the race, she ultimately visited the state herself on Wednesday.
In addition, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, is campaigning in Wisconsin today.
One big Democratic name still conspicuously absent from the recall: President Obama. Even White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was briefly confused and unaware on Wednesday as to whether Obama had endorsed Barrett — the answer is yes.