Attorney General Race

42 percent undecided.

But expect to hear folks make a lot of noise about the most recent Saint Norbert College Attorney General's race poll results.

(You'll also note press some press accounts list me as a consultant for JB Van Hollen, I'm excited to say that's true and will have more on that later.)

While some campaigns may go to extraordinary measures to try to smugly (and pathetically) twist the poll results, the fact that over 40 percent remain undecided means this race is far from settled At best, among registered voters, Paul Bucher has a whopping 16 to 7 percent lead in the Primary. That's it. No matter how the poll is dissected, shaped or spun, that's it.

Frankly, we expected someone with such a so called 'strong base is Southeast Wisconsin' would have had a more significant head start at this early point in the race. And I guess they thought the same, as their over heated rhetoric suggests they are getting desperate over there, trying to spin the internal mechanics of our operation into something that suits their needs. They've publicly lied and said JB’s campaign is broke (even though Van Hollen raised more money last year than Bucher did). We’ve added to our ability to continue out performing our primary opponent in fundraising by elevating Phil Prange, Tommy Thompson's chief fundraiser to our full time consultant (Mary Stitt had been splitting time between Van Hollen and Green and will now be focusing her attentions solely on Green now that the Governor's race Primary is 'done;' while Prange will focus on Van Hollen as the only statewide race on his plate this year.)

While we won't let false accusations go unanswered, nothing is more boring and politically stupid than a tit-for-tat between campaign supporters--especially in a Republican Primary. While it may make for interesting copy, and Xoff and company will eat it up, Lord knows the party doesn't need that.

I'm proud to say that JB has focused his attention on the two Democrats, one of whom will be his real opponent in November. You can find out more about that here and here.

This race is about who is the best choice to end more than a decade of Democrat mismanagement at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

So, I'll just share with you part of a statement I, as a spokesman for the Van Hollen campaign, released to the AP as they were preparing their article on the poll.

Response to St. Norbert Poll

"We've been saying all along we're the candidate in the best position to win the Primary and General election and nothing in this poll indicates otherwise.

"Such a huge undecided vote, coupled with being five months away from the Primary means the infrastructure of a campaign is that much more important, and Bucher can't match Van Hollen's operation.

"JB Van Hollen has the superior experience, the integrity and the temperament to fight crime as Wisconsin's top cop."

Money:

"According to the most recent campaign finance reports on file with the State Elections Board, excluding loans to the campaigns, Van Hollen raised $208,885 in 2005 while his opponent raised $193,716.

Organization:

"JB has the conservative base of the party, its infrastructure, men and women, young and old on his side.

"Folks like Jim Klauser, Margaret Farrow, Mike Grebe are with JB Van Hollen because they respect JB, his track record and his agenda to fight crime and restore integrity. They know JB Van Hollen can and will win in November.

"We have the endorsements from individuals who put their name on the line, this matters in an AG race.

• 28 county district attorneys to Bucher's 15
  (according to Bucher's website)
• 18 county sheriffs to Bucher's 3
• and JB has the support of dozens more
  Republican state legislators than does his opponent

Grassroots

"In the largest survey of Republican Party of Wisconsin faithful to date, the 2005 WisPolitics straw poll conducted at the state convention, Van Hollen rolled over his primary opponent by a vote of 84-15%

"JB Van Hollen
has built the stronger campaign and will win because he has the superior experience, the integrity and the temperament to win the primary and then end 16
years of Democrat mismanagement of the Department of Justice."

Paid for by Van Hollen for Attorney General, Margaret Farrow, Treasurer.