Free Will

Little Campaign, Big Upset

2006-04-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

Election Night Results in the Town of Fulton, Rock County, WI

15 year incumbent - 397 votes
Brian Christianson - 414 votes

Fulton board needs independent thinkers
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Support Christianson to return to Fulton Town Board
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Fulton needs Christianson back
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Writer supports Christianson for Fulton Town Board
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Vote for change in Fulton
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IL-WI Running Parallel

2006-03-29T14:16:00.000-06:00

Former top aide to Rep. Daniels pleads guilty to mail fraud

March 29, 2006

(AP) - A former top aide to Illinois House Republicans pleaded guilty Wednesday to mail fraud, admitting he assigned legislative staffers to campaign work on state time.

Michael Tristano, 58, who was chief of staff to former House Minority Leader Lee Daniels, would face between a year and a day and 20 months in prison under an agreement that requires him to cooperate with prosecutors in their continuing investigation of state political corruption.

U.S. District Judge Charles R. Norgle Sr. set June 14 for sentencing.

"He is sorry for the mistakes that he has made," defense attorney Jeffrey Steinback told reporters as he and Tristano left court. He said it had been "a difficult day for Michael and I think you've probably had a chance to see that difficulty by the expression on his face."

Crain's first reported June 17, 2002, that virtually the entire Chicago staff of Daniels spent much of the spring or summer of 2002 in and near House districts with hotly contested general election races.

In one instance, Crain's reported, state records indicated that in a four-month period, nine Daniels staffers collectively traveled 252 times to one town where a GOP candidate was facing a strong reelection fight.

Wednesday's plea agreement states that Tristano diverted "between $120,000 and $200,000 in state resources to subsidize the campaigns of Republican candidates for the Illinois House. The diversions came in the form of time, false voucher records for auto travel and the use of state facilities."

Tristano, once the most powerful Republican aide in the Illinois House, admitted that he not only assigned GOP staffers to do campaign work on state time, but also used state computers and other taxpayer-paid resources to boost the chances of his party's legislative candidates.

According to Tristano's signed, 13-page plea agreement, the scheme to defraud the state took place between 1998 and 2001 as Illinois Republicans under Daniels were trying to regain control of the House or at least limit their losses to the Democrats.

Tristano admitted devising a scheme to camouflage the use of state workers on campaigns by giving them compensatory leave and payments from the House Republican Campaign Committee. But he acknowledged that neither the time off nor the payments covered all the campaign work.

Tristano also was executive director of the campaign committee, which Daniels headed.

Prosecutors have been investigating the alleged diversion of state workers and other resources into House Republican campaigns for more than two years.

Daniels, who is retiring at the end of this term, has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

But the plea agreement states Mr. Tristano "reported to and took direction from Lee Daniels."

Daniels failed to return calls seeking comment.

Tristano was one of the most powerful staff members at the Statehouse in Springfield in the 1990s, heading a staff of 85 with a $5 million budget.

Prosecutors agreed to drop charges of theft, extortion conspiracy and other mail fraud counts in exchange for Tristano's guilty plea on one mail fraud count.

In his plea agreement, however, Tristano did acknowledge engaging in an extortion scheme with direct mail consultant Roger Stanley, who went to prison after pleading guilty to payoff charges in an offshoot of the investigation that led to charges against former Gov. George Ryan.

Tristano admitted he recommended to Daniels the awarding of a state grant to the suburban Village of Willow Springs to encourage real estate development there. Stanley had a financial interest in the real estate development.

The state ended up making about $1.3 million in such grants and Stanley in return placed an unnamed GOP legislative candidate on his company's payroll to provide income for the candidate while he was on the campaign trail, according to the plea agreement.

Stanley already had admitted the scheme as part of his own plea agreement. His attorney, Michael Ettinger, said he had no comment other than to say the government has agreed as part of its deal with Stanley, now out of prison, not to prosecute him for the Willow Springs matter.

Happy Birthday Republicans!

2006-03-20T07:18:00.000-06:00

Excerpt from Ripon, WI Chamber of Commerce's website:

In this schoolhouse, on March 20, 1854, the first mass meeting in the country was held that definitely and positively cut loose from old parties and advocated a new party under the name "Republican.

This simple frame schoolhouse, built in 1850, holds a powerful history. In the Little White Schoolhouse a decision was made by a small group of Ripon citizens that changed the future of our nation forever.

On a cold and windy night, March 20, 1854, these Ripon citizens voted to form and become members of a new political party called "Republican." The birth of the Republican Party brought a dedicated following of individuals who pledged to organize together and fight against the spread of slavery.

Ripon Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
Ripon Chamber of Commerce

It's a Sad Day

2006-03-11T12:35:00.000-06:00

No jokes. No satire. No gloating. No smiles.

It is a sad day for Wisconsin.

It is a sad day for my Republican Party.

It is a sad day for Mrs. Jensen and for their handsome kids.

And I do pray for some level of mercy at sentencing -- more people share guilt with Scott Jensen, including Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard.

BUD FOX
Dad, I'm going to jail and you know it.
CARL FOX
Maybe that's the price, Bud, maybe so.
It's gonna be rough on you but maybe in some screwed up way, that's the best thing that can happen to you...stop trading for the quick buck and go produce something with your life, create, don't live off the buying and selling of others...

The Jensen Bed-In for Justice

2006-03-09T06:58:00.000-06:00

Standing trial in the court of Judge Ebert
Begging for a new venue
But the man on the bench
said "You carry a stench"
You know they didn't even give me a chance

Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me

Finally made it to the closing summation
Staff rolling me like jelly tarts
Stephen Meyer called to say
"Being gov's not in play"
Harvard boy should re-read Jean-Paul Sartre

Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me

Drove from Madison to the Waukesha Hilton
Talking to myself nearly a week
The Sentinel said
"Say, what're you doing in bed?"
I said, "I'm only trying to get me on Sykes"

Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me

Made a lightning trip out to Cambridge
Need to stock-up on Crimson ties
When the State Journal said
"Status went to his head"
I knew Dee Hall just had to lie

Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me

Justice Prosser jumped out of his robes

just to testify I was O.K.

Then a man in the back said

"Prosser's wearing no pants"

I hung my head ready to cry

Christ, you know it ain't easy

You know how hard it can be

The way things are going

They're gonna crucify me

The way things are going

They're gonna crucify me
The way things are going

They're gonna crucify me

That Was a Defense?

2006-03-08T20:14:00.000-06:00

Gotta laugh at this... Makes me wish Chvala would have went to trial.

The defense of Scott Jensen almost compels me to demand a full refund on Jensen's behalf. Stephen Meyer is playing a lawyer for the perks - maybe a free set of steak knives...

I "strenuously" object?
Is that how it's done? Hm?
Objection, your Honor.
Overruled
No, no. I STRENUOUSLY object.
Oh. You strenuously object. Then I'll take some time and reconsider.

Half the prosecution's witnesses did a better job defending Jensen than the witnesses for the defense.

And the last image of the Defense is that of Meyer asking for a mistrial because witnesses could not make "eye contact" with the defendant from the witness stand??

Do you have any more questions for me counselor?
Thanks Danny, I love Madison.

Sherry Schultz has got to be thinking, plea bargain, why didn't I take the plea bargain?

Just A Guy is Just a Jensen Tool

2006-03-07T07:35:00.000-06:00

just a guy said...
I'm with editor. And neither of us are virgins. I also don't recall you ever arguing for the elimination of the caucuses during your unspectacular tenure in Wisconsin politics. Scott Jensen is fighting for his life because he has been forced into this position by Brian Blanchard, and second-guessing his strategy is about as productive as your pathetic squealing and finger pointing after you were let go by Scott McCallum. You're so important, Brian, only you or perhaps Schimming could figure out how to turn this into a claim that you were part of a "collaborative" effort that was really responsible for Jensen's success. Unbelievable.

Hey, Just a Guy;
You are obviously too green to remember that I was let-go from the RPW, not McCallum. Why? Something called the "RPW PAC-FAX."

I also advocated to our county/district Party caucuses to pass resolutions calling for the elimination of each of the 4 partisan caucuses - a few of which made it to the floor of the state Party convention.

These bold, brave moves set former State Rep. Judy Klusman on a mission - a mission to see my head served on a platter with garnish. Why? The RPW PAC-FAX was the first attempt by the Party to redirect PAC money away from the legislative campaign committees (RACC & CERS).

Klusman interpreted this as some sort of turf battle. And lobbyists feared they would not "get credit" if their checks went to RPW versus RACC or CERS.

As far as eliminating the caucuses, that was far from my idea alone. But having worked and campaigned from both the Senate (Bill Berndt Campaign) and Assembly (Holperin Recall) caucuses, it made common sense to me to have the State Party serve as both The Bank and The Warehouse for campaign operatives.

Again, I was young and naive and without knowing it at the time, I had offered my own head to the crazier elements of the legislature.

So, Just a Guy, stop sniffing Scott Jensen's shorts and start thinking with a clear mind.

Over ten years ago Dave Prosser, Bob Welch, Scott Jensen, Joyce Waldrop and a few others would sit in my office - or at weekend retreats in Sheboygan - and strategize how a minority Party could/should recruit better candidates, raise more money, mobilize our stakeholders, build better lists, and tap into Tommy's political popularity.

They were very productive meetings - Bob Welch never gets the credit he deserves for winning a majority.

Beginning with Tommy's election in 1986 and continuing for the next 2 consecutive election cycles, Republicans lost seats - LOST SEATS - lost seats in 1990, despite Tommy's landslide win.

During my tenure, we turned that around. It was a collaborative effort indeed - Mr. Just a Guy - with legislators, stakeholders, major donors, better candidates, better messages, and better tactics.

As for your uninformed reference to Scott McCallum -- you have me confused with DOR Secretary Cate Zeuske, whom he let go, or DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel, whom he let go.

Both were hugely popular with their former legislative colleagues - McCallum was not, which is why Scott Jensen desperately wanted (and should have) run a primary that year.

Do your homework, Just a Guy. And don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

Jensen Tainting Tommy Legacy

2006-03-06T09:08:00.000-06:00

This is why Tommy is so beloved - he speaks the truth. He is a maverick. He refuses to chant the Party line.

Thompson hints at running — but for what?
President? Senator? Governor? His options are open

That's a leader.

When much of the Party base is goose-stepping blindly behind failed policies and failed leaders, Tommy steps-out and reminds Republicans - reminds conservatives - President Bush has failed conservatives.

As unlikely as I hear it is, Tommy can take back the governor's chair by simply having beers with a couple of reporters in Elroy, or at brother Ed's in Tomah, and declaring his return.

That is, if Scott Jensen retracts the self-serving subpoena he slapped his old boss with, forcing Tommy to testify, hoping some TGT star-power sways the jury in Jensen's favor.

Tommy is above the stank. Jensen should keep it that way.

The Last Campaign of Scott Jensen

2006-03-03T10:10:00.000-06:00

It’s over. The die has been cast. The stain has set.

The Trial of Scott Jensen has torpedoed any strategy Republicans might have trotted-out this election year exploiting ethics reform. Those 30 second TV ads and 60 second radio ads slamming Dem. Gov. Jim Doyle and legislative Democrats are now toothless. Every day has been another train wreck of testimony that should have never reached the front pages.

Republicans across the state are cringing as we recognize the names of those staffers being forced to stand naked and point their fingers back at Scott Jensen. So much for nurturing the next generation of public servants. So much for showing the state that the Republican majority was about something. Now we see the Republican majority was about someone.

The Trial of Scott Jensen has confirmed that all roads lead back to Scott Jensen.

No surprise; the Capitol Culture has known Scott Jensen is/was at the epicenter of every campaign dollar, every policy roll-out, every election, every press conference, every committee assignment, every everything.

If a team photo was taken, it was Scott Jensen who sat squarely in the center of the frame.

In my years working with him, including his near loss in his first Assembly race, it was clear that Jensen was simply smarter than the average legislator. Cream does rise to the top in both the dairy business and legislative leadership.

But I think the personality glitch that is being laid open today is Jensen’s longstanding inability to accept collaborative efforts. He never wanted to be the power behind the curtain; he wanted to be the power on center stage. And he achieved it. But make no mistake; his success was a collaborative effort.

And his failure, today, is a non-collaborative, power-at-center-stage, Scott Jensen collapse.

The Trial of Scott Jensen is being campaign-managed by the accused. The trial is the first campaign where Scott Jensen has complete control. In the days, weeks, months leading to Election Day -- errr, Trial Day -- it has been Scott Jensen who has written the scripts, devised the strategy and framed the message.

The difference is, he no longer has control over dozens of staffers, no longer can throw a birthday party where hundreds of lobbyists flock, no longer has State Party resources and expertise, no longer has beholden committee chairs, no longer has associations conducting his polling.

So this is the last campaign of Scott Jensen. This one is all on himself. How’s it going so far?

Hillary Runs, Bet on It

2006-02-18T12:30:00.000-06:00

Hey Doug, I'll take that bet. She runs, and I'd bet, wins.

Hillary Won't Run
That's my prediction, and I'm sticking to it.
by Douglas MacKinnon
02/20/2006, Volume 011, Issue 22

BACK IN NOVEMBER 1999, I wrote a column for the San Francisco Examiner in which I basically guaranteed that Hillary Clinton would not run for the Senate in New York. I laid out a very clever rationale for why she would not enter the race, the main thrust being that her candidacy was really just a red herring devised to deflect attention from her husband's mounting ethical problems.

I was so sure of my pet theory that I proceeded to make lunch and dinner bets with any number of people in Washington. Bets that, to this day, I am still paying off.

So with that lesson well learned, I am here to say that Senator Hillary Clinton will not run for president in 2008. Guaranteed. Why? Because, from the Democratic party's point of view, it makes no sense for her to run. I'm talking, none.

I am a Republican who happens to have a lot of Democratic friends. That's the way it goes when you come from Dorchester, Massachusetts. And what most of these Democratic friends of mine tell me for private consumption is that their party is really, really, really desperate to win back the White House, and in their minds, for that to happen, Hillary Clinton has to get out of the way.

Their rationale, not mine, is that they don't think enough Americans, especially American women, are actually going to vote for Senator Clinton in a general election. While I'm no fan of polls, a recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll would seem to indicate that these Democratic friends of mine are on to something. When asked, only 16 percent of respondents said they would "definitely" vote for Hillary Clinton, while 51 percent said they would definitely not. She even lost in the poll to Condoleezza Rice, a woman who has made it crystal clear that she has no intention of running for president.

Next on the hit parade of things my Democratic friends worry about when it comes to Senator Clinton is that they really would like not to revisit the Whitewater, commodities, Monica, Lincoln Bedroom, Hillarycare days. Some of them worry, rightly in my opinion, that if Mrs. Clinton runs, all of this old, unpleasant, and somewhat unresolved baggage is going to be run on a loop by certain conservative, Christian, and even Democratic groups. The obvious question of these friends being: "Why should our party relive that pain?"

All Democrats I speak with on this subject, and even a surprisingly large number of Republicans, think 2008 is shaping up as a pretty good year for the Democrats to take back the White House. Part of their thinking is that even if you believe George W. Bush has been a great president (I do), and even if you really like the Republicans (I like some of them), the American people are suffering from "party in power fatigue." Namely, after eight years of Republicans in the White House, maybe it's time to send in the other team.

So, before the race even starts, one could build a case that the Democrats have a bit of a head start. Why aren't the Democrats I speak with happy about that news? Because they feel that if Hillary is the one carrying the baton in the general election, then she's going to collapse and get lapped by even a mediocre Republican.

Another question my Democratic friends fret about: Is Hillary enough of a team player to let someone like former governor (southern governor, they always say) Mark Warner of Virginia become the standard-bearer of her party? While they seem to think that she is too selfish to entertain such a thought, I'm prepared to give her more credit than that. I think, after doing the math, and calculating what's best for her in the long run, she will decide to forgo the race and wave her pom-poms from the sidelines.

She will do this, but, of course, not without exacting a steep price. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but heavier still will be the Democratic head that has to broker the deal with Hillary to have her put her party before her lofty ambitions.

Come November 2008, Senator Clinton will be 61 years of age--16 years older than when her husband took office, but still young enough politically to make one or two more runs at the Oval Office. So, at least, will go the argument from various Democrats in the smoke-free, racially diverse, politically correct back rooms from which they plot these days against the evil GOP.

What will they offer the woman from Chicago who thought New York seemed like a nice state to represent in the Senate? I've heard, again from my Democratic buddies who will henceforth all deny knowing me, that secretary of state in the first Warner administration might be an acceptable offer. A fine résumé builder for a future race. Upon hearing that, I asked them, "Why not just put Hillary on the ticket as his vice presidential candidate?"

After a few tsk, tsk's, and some shakes of the head, they remind me that they would actually like to win the 2008 election. Let me stress again that this is all coming from loyal, albeit desperate, Democrats. Their feeling still being that Hillary at the top or bottom of the ticket will doom them to four more years of doing without White House cufflinks and not being invited to state dinners and presidential Christmas parties.

That said, they don't rule out that Hillary is powerful enough, tough enough, and smart enough to work out a deal where she would be named vice president late in the first term or early in the second term of a Warner (or fill-in-the-blank) presidency.

I, for one, happen to think Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is highly intelligent and factors almost every decision she makes on how it will frame and then cement her place in history. Denying her party a realistic chance to win back the White House is not posterity-friendly.

It takes a village idiot to bet that Hillary won't run in 2008, and I'm that idiot. Free lunches and dinners will be paid in 2009.

Douglas MacKinnon was press secretary to Senator Bob Dole. He is also a former White House and Pentagon official.

Super Joe Lands in Rock

2006-02-17T08:08:00.000-06:00

Defining the Democratic Difference

Super Joe Wineke, the Chairman of Wisconsin’s Democratic Party, ventured down here to Rock County yesterday – speaking to the safe and comfy crowd gathered at Janesville’s Labor Temple.

(Just how did union halls become to be called, temples?)

Whew, the Dem Party Chair, landing in 55% Democrat-voting Rock County, and EGADS, mixing it up with those hostile union GM workers.

Caroline Kennedy has a chapter waiting for Super Joe in her next edition of Profiles in Courage.

This would be called, as GOP St. Senator Mike Ellis has coined, kissing your sister.

So Republicans now have confirmation of the grand strategy to reelect Jim Doyle – a base-vote operation that artificially boosts turnout among minorities, organized labor, teachers, trial attorneys, acorn-eating liberals, and the Feingold Build a Wall around Dane County, voter groups.

Nothing new really - and still no message.

But doubtful Governor Doyle can pull it off. Reagan Democrats in Rock County are not all that sweet on Doyle. Granted, Super Joe can sit with the common man over a tapper and a cheap cigar and bring Democrats back into the fold, but he ain’t the personality leading his Party’s ticket.

Oh, and had I been invited to the UAW Local 95 Labor Temple, I’d like to ask; how can union brothers vote to take back health care benefits from retirees – the very same union brothers who once fought for the benefits those active workers now enjoy?

Democrats, the Party of Health Care? Yea, right.

I’d guess the response would be crickets chirping as Super Joe points to the door, red face screaming - out, OUT!

A Few Good Witnesses

2006-02-03T11:50:00.000-06:00

I've seen this movie before...

Justice Prosser:
What do you wanna discuss now? My favorite pastel color?

Jensen Attorney:
Justice Prosser, a moment ago you said that you ordered your lieutenant, Scott Jensen, to bring you a majority.

Prosser:
Scott is a very ambitious fellow.

Attorney:
And Lieutenant Jensen was clear on what you wanted?

Prosser:
Waterford Crystal Clear

Attorney:
Any chance Lieutenant Jensen considered the law?

Prosser:
The law is a jealous mistress.

Attorney:
Any chance Lieutenant Jensen left your office and said, 'The old man needs a campaign message'?

Prosser:
I see nuances in every position.

Attorney:
When Lieutenant Jensen spoke to the Lobby Platoon, and ordered them to pony-up the cash, any chance they ignored him?

Prosser:
You ever served in the legislature, son?

Attorney:
No, sir.

Prosser:
Ever served my forward area?

Attorney:
Sir?

Prosser:
Ever put your hands on another man's shoulders; asked him to place his hands on yours?

Attorney:
Uhhh sir?

Prosser:
We give orders, son. We give orders, or campaigns die; it's that simple. Are we clear?

Attorney:
No, not really, sir.

Prosser:
YOU-HOO; are we CLEEE-RRRRR?

Attorney:
Justice, I've just one more question before I call Bagman Joe Strohl; if you gave an order to recall Jim Holperin, and your orders are always followed, then why wasn't Holperin recalled? Why would it be necessary to send Christianson to Rhinelander?

Attorney:
Did you order the Holperin Recall?

Prosser:
I did my legislative duty, I, I....

Attorney:
DID YOU ORDER THE HOLPERIN RECALL?

Prosser:
You're GOSH DARN ROOTY PAH-TOOTY RIGHT I DID!

Conservative First, Republican Second

2006-02-03T09:31:00.000-06:00

Charlie Sykes is stealing my lines...

Exactly Right

The World Needs Giants IX

2006-01-31T11:15:00.000-06:00

I like to think that the better angels of my soul would have led me to march with Dr. and Mrs. King. But the cruelties of being born too late, and of a death too soon, prevented such a divine encounter with a giant of humanity.

When I look at this photo, I don't see a black family, I see an American family, which was just one Dream that King longed to achieve.

With the passing of Coretta Scott King, who among the Black community will carry the torch that this photo represents - the Family; the foundation of hope, security, creativity, safety, knowledge and wisdom, faith, ambition, generousity, tolerance, and love?

Black children are only half as likely as white children to be living in a two-parent household and are eight times more likely than white children to live with an unwed mother. For black children under six, the most common arrangement applying to 42 percent of them was to live with a never married mother.
Maggie Gallagher, The Abolition of Marriage

Seventy-five percent of all black children born in the last two decades are likely to live for some portion of their childhood with only their mothers.
Bumpass, L.L. and J.A. Sweet, “Children Experience in Single-Parent Families: Implications of Cohabitation and Marital Transitions.”

“African Americans are the most unpartnered group in America. Census figures show that 35% of Americans between 24 and 34 have never married. For African Americans, that figure is 54%.”
Audrey Chapman, Marital Therapist

And here at home, from the Manhattan Institute

Wisconsin had the lowest graduation rate among African-American students with 40%, followed by Minnesota, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Cleveland City had the lowest graduation rate among African-American students with 29%, followed by Milwaukee, Memphis, and Gwinett County, Georgia

One thing I am sure of, the African-American community doesn't much care what a white kid from Janesville, Wisconsin thinks about black families, but the Black Alliance for Educational Opions may enlighten the skeptics.

Fond du Lac, Guns, and Scott McCallum

2006-01-31T07:51:00.000-06:00

After Governor Doyle’s State of the State address (post), I was scratching my head as to why he would suddenly skip-off to Iraq.

The boilerplate tactical operation following a State of the State is to jump on planes, trains, and automobiles to canvass the state. The name of the game is to maximize exposure. Hit the newspapers. Stand-by in the Green Rooms. You’re the Governor, take advantage of it. Keep making news by visiting some sleepy hollow that according to the local octogenarian, a governor has never visited.

But then I was reminded by the boys over at Boots and Sabers (Here) and (Here) of what the legislative calendar had waiting for Team Doyle – a veto of conceal/carry and the subsequent override vote.

I see the strategery; go to the war zone, wrap yourself in the flag and appeal to the same folks back home who support conceal/carry. Split the baby in half.

Every campaign, every campaign, has a defining moment. For Governor Doyle, being the first governor to suffer a veto override in 20+ years may prove to be that moment.

And a bit of sweet irony serves as subtext to Doyle’s reelection efforts.

The state Rep. from Fond du Lac, John Townsend, the same hometown of temporary Governor Scott McCallum -- the 2002 vanquished opponent of Jim Doyle -- Fond du Lac’s legislator appears to be the swing vote to push Jim Doyle closer to the fate of the last Democrat Governor, Tony Earl.

Representative Townsend, Scott McCallum on line #1, NRA on line #2, RPW on #3, Mark Green on Line #4 and Scott Walker on #5. Jim Kreuser is standing in reception.

Nobody’s Governor But Yours

2006-01-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

Burke, Jensen, Chvala, Foti, Ladwig, Adelman Travel, Reuben Anthony, Nick Hurtgen, Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff, Bear Stearns, Duke Cunningham, Georgia Thompson, CTE Engineers;

Where does it end? Don’t answer, that was a rhetorical question.

It is not going to end. Already, bloggers Jessica McBride and Charlie Sykes have opened a new front on Team Doyle. Like Lazarus, Doyle campaign manager Rich Judge has been raised from the dead in retaliation for Doyle’s linkage of Green campaign manager Mark Graul to Capitol Hill corruption.

I am tempted to jump off message here to say the caucus scandal that snared Judge has matured way past his place on the food chain. And Graul went to a Bucks-Wizards game at the MCI Center. That in itself is punishment enough.

But the real issue is, we have an incumbent governor seeking reelection against an incumbent congressman and an incumbent county executive.

The common thread is Incumbent parties and those who feed off of Incumbent parties.

Herb Kohl recognized this way back in 1988. His bio is familiar to everyone; department store heir, Bucks owner, philanthropist.

When Bill Proxmire announced his retirement from the US Senate in September, 1987, the first candidates to announce were Tony Earl, Ed Garvey and Susan Engeleiter. Earl was notable for an unremarkable term as governor; Garvey was limping-off an ugly US Senate race, a razor thin loss to Bob Kasten, and St. Senate Minority Leader Engeleiter, who was immediately rejected by conservatives.

1988 was ripe for someone to break from the past.

And so is 2006.

State Republicans are courting 2004 US Senate nominee Tim Michels – as they should be. Tim owns a bio that not only mirrors the business acumen of Herb Kohl, but far surpasses Kohl in the Lookinig-Killer-In-BDUs and the My-Kids-Are-Cuter-Than-Your-Kids imagery.

Kohl, though, has never been captured by the Incumbent Party mentality. His Nobody’s Senator But Yours slogan ranks up there with other genius marketing slogos like GM’s Like A Rock, or Mitch Henck’s Good Feet ads (inserted for a cheap laugh).

By running for the US Senate against Herb Kohl, Tim Michels would be risking an opportunity to begin an historic political career.

Given the political smell in Madison; given the bruising GOP primary for governor that will leave one of our current two choices both busted and nearly broken; Republicans are recruiting Tim Michels for the wrong office.

Nobody’s Governor But Yours could launch Tim Michels.

Tell me he couldn’t beat Governor Jim Doyle.

Tell me he is the one Republican who represents a complete break from the past.

Governor Tim Michels. Timing is everything.

To read more on what the Green-Walker-Doyle camapign will look like click here

Plantation Politics

2006-01-24T08:24:00.000-06:00

From my buddy Gordo over at DC Spectator;

Hillary "Plantation" Broadside Against
GOP Smart Politics

I was on campaign time when Hillary dropped the plantation-bomb late last week, so I am playing catch-up.

Sure as the sun rises in the East and the Pope is Catholic, Hillary is the Democrat nominee in 26 months.

Raise Your Pitchforks, Blackberry subscribers

2006-01-24T08:15:00.000-06:00

From BFD-Takes,

Blackberry users, we are are powerful anti-incumbency coalition. This is yet another example of politicians receiving special considerations for the sole reason that they are the government:

The court has discretion. In a worst-case scenario, an injunction could force RIM to shut down the BlackBerry system, potentially affecting most of RIM's approximately 4.3 million U.S. subscriber accounts. NTP has said an injunction would not affect BlackBerry products used by U.S. federal, state, or local governments

.Jeesh, how did government function before the cyber-age?

paul R nelson for congress

2006-01-24T07:56:00.000-06:00

So I gotta ask, why include the middle initial "R" in the campaign banner? Is there another Paul Nelson on the ballot? Is it a branding strategy, like Toys 'R Us?

I couldn't say for sure, but in a congressional district where dairy cows outnumber voters 3 to 1, this level of formality may not be needed.

Bullets and Beer

2006-01-23T11:15:00.000-06:00

Bill would push driver permit age to 17

Illinois sent their brand of political corruption across the border into Wisconsin.

Maybe they are making amends by showing us how to keep our children alive.

And still, responsible enough to vote for a U.S. President who may send your butt to war, but too young to drop-by the VFW for a tapper and camaraderie before shipping-off to Camp Shoot-At-My-Ass.

Define Responsibility

2006-01-23T10:37:00.000-06:00

Bill would allow 8-year-olds to hunt

8-year-olds, sitting in tree stands on opening day, peering through a scope, ready to blast a buck;

16-year-olds, grabbing the family car keys, racing towards a county road to meet their buddies and lay some rubber;

18-year-olds, carrying a weapon, standing guard, patrolling a sector in Iraq – can’t have a beer for another 3 years.

For Doyle, Reelect Begins Tonight

2006-01-17T13:18:00.000-06:00

Assuming you're not a lobbyist, in that case, you'll be on billable hours, stalking legislators entering the Assembly chambers; And assuming you're not staff, in that case, you'll be pouring pitchers at the Silver Dollar, mocking your bosses from a barstool; the remaining 2.7% of Wisconsinites who care will be kicking-back in Lazyboys watching the Governor's State of the State address this evening.

Look for Governor Doyle to give his best impersonation of Tommy Thompson tonight, without droppin' his "g"s . Tommy wrote the textbook on delivering a televised statewide address, and as an iconic figure, why mess with the recipe.

Doyle will veil his speech in words like, cooperation and bipartisanship. Only acting governor Scott McCallum would ever use the State Address to whack local town board members as big spenders.

The governor will be greeted at some point with groans from the Republican majority, probably as he begins a 16 minute subchapter on public schools being Great Schools. Look for WEAC's Stan Johnson to take a bow from the gallery.

Janesville will be another subchapter within the address. If Team Doyle could find a way to hoist the all new Chevy Tahoe into the gallery, Assembly Sergeant of Arms Rick Skinrud would be found Wednesday morning reclined, sleeping on the passenger side.

Sports teams must be recognized in a State Address, and since Mike Sherman will be introduced at Louisiana Governor Blanco's state Address, Doyle raises the roof by intro'ing new Brewer coach Robin Yount, during the subchapter of returning Winning to Wisconsin.

Another subchapter will be dedicated to UW Research and stem cells, yet another to something important to the Northwoods, and after that it's all white noise.

As temporary governor McCallum proved, only the gaffes are remembered, along with Hall of Famers sitting in the gallery.

It's all about image, and for Team Doyle, tip-off is tonight.

If Only Madison was It's own House District

2006-01-17T11:33:00.001-06:00

Would somebody please tell me again how the heck Beloit ended-up in the same congressional district as Madison, or the Dells?

So much for communities of interest.

The best thing about Wisconsin's lack of population growth is, when we lose yet another House seat to redistricting, Dave Magnum will finally win this seat.

In 2004, Baldwin pledged to reduce the amount of out state donations to her campaign. However, she broke her promise and raised more out state donations in 2004 than she did in 2002, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics (www.opensecrets.org).
Magnum pointed out that California, one of Baldwin's favorite fundraising haunts, competes aggressively with Wisconsin for the title of America's Dairyland

Quotes like the above score big points with the the surrounding Ag community.

Be Colorblind, and Vote Republican

2006-01-16T00:12:00.000-06:00

Republicans can honor Martin Luther King's vision today by...

I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream -- a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality.

...sending $25, $50 or your most generous contribution to Lynn Swann for Governor (PA), Ken Blackwell for Governor (OH), or maybe look forward to 2008 with Condi Rice for U.S.A.

As for Harry Belafonte, the Democrats can tally both him and that stupid Banana Boat song.

Great Schools? Great Ad

2006-01-16T00:02:00.000-06:00

Milwaukee’s Charlie Sykes (props to Milwaukee), has the school choice TV ad currently running in an unknown number of WI media markets -- sure beats the bejesus out of those say-nothing, self-serving, inane Great Schools ads WEAC airs with great repetition.

The ad is a base-clearing shot over the deep center field fence.

School choice is one of those 80-20 issues that both motivates the GOP base and plays well with moderate suburban voters.

And it’s those suburban voters that an incumbent Democrat governor so desperately needs; what with being stuck in the mid 40s on reelect after defeating an accidental governor with about the same percentage.

The Doyle team misses policy dude Kirk Brown, a former partner of Paul Maslin, Howard Dean’s pollster.

How brilliant was it to place your campaign pollster on the inside, sitting at your side, whispering public opinion numbers with each zig-zag that the Republican legislature sent over? Very. And he is clearly missed.

WEAC is sure to respond to this school choice shot, but Team Doyle seems to be struggling; which may be why he skipped-out to Ireland.