Sen. Tammy Baldwin opts for state tour over joining President Biden in Madison

In a strategic move, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has decided not to appear alongside President Joe Biden during his upcoming visit to her hometown of Madison. This decision comes in the wake of concerns raised by Democrats following Biden's lackluster performance in a recent debate, leading to calls for him to step aside as the presidential nominee. Baldwin, who is seeking a third term in the Senate battleground of Wisconsin, has been careful to maintain distance from Biden since the debate, with her campaign confirming that she will be attending Fourth of July parades as part of her own campaign tour instead. The debate performance by Biden, where he appeared sluggish and struggled to articulate his thoughts, has prompted vulnerable Democrats like Baldwin to consider their association with the president amidst growing pressure within the party. Republicans are focusing on tying Democratic candidates to Biden, who has been facing low approval ratings even before the debate, as a key part of their election strategy. Despite leading in polls against the presumptive GOP nominee in Wisconsin, Baldwin's decision to keep a degree of separation from Biden reflects the cautious approach taken by Democrats in tough Senate races. With control of the Senate hanging in the balance, Democrats are keen on ensuring they maintain their majority by carefully navigating their campaigns in relation to Biden's candidacy. The Biden campaign, on the other hand, is working to address concerns raised by the debate performance by showcasing strong fundraising numbers in the aftermath. As the election day approaches, the dynamics between Democratic candidates and Biden's presidential bid will continue to shape the strategies and outcomes in key battleground states like Wisconsin.