It's time to call off the troops on the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Prosser won. The "unsaved" ballots from Brookfield put him in the lead, and state canvassing has confirmed his victory with a 7,316 vote margin. (1) Although there should still be investigations into the seeming continued ineptitude of the Waukesha clerk who "forgot to hit save" and didn't annouce it until two days later, the race is done.
Because Kloppenburg lost by a 0.488% margin, her campaign can request a state-funded recount (0.5 % is the Wisconsin threshhold). (1) It would cost county coffers a total likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (6) (the state summary of recount procedures can be found here). (2) Minnesota recounted its 2010 gubernatorial results. Democrat Mark Dayton's margin, at 0.42%, was "a larger unofficial margin than has ever been overturned in a modern-era recount, in any state." (3,4) Dayton's opponent, Republican Tom Emmer conceded after results confirmed a relatively unchanged margin. (7) (for thorough and insightful discussion about the insignificance of recount changes, check out Rob Ritchie in the Huffington Post here). (5)
But Kloppenburg's loss was not without gains. She was an aftertought in the primary, but yet state voters almost unseated a sitting state justice. And, hopefully, it will make Waukesha County's vote counts a bit more reliable, and believable, for goodness sakes, in future elections.
Figuratively, there will be many more battles. And don't think for a minute this single election has determined the way this war will end.
(1) Ballots are now totaled, JS Online, 4/16/11, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119938614.html
(2) Election Administration Manual for WI Municipal Clerks, State of Wisconsin, http://elections.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=11826&locid=47
(3) 2010 Election Results, Mpls. Star Tribune, http://elections.startribune.com/returns/mgovsm.html, retrieved 4/16/11
(4) Editorial: ...lower recount threshhold, Mpls. Star Tribune, 11/15/10, http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/108257194.html, retrieved 4/16/11
(5) Contested Recalls Unlikely..., by Rob Ritchie, Huffington Post, posted 11/1/10 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-richie/contested-recounts-unlike_b_777299.html, retrieved, 4/16/11
(6) Potential recount would cost... Wisconsin Reporter.com, 4/14/11, http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/potential-recount-would-cost-local-governments-money-manpower retrieved, 4/16/11
(7) Mark Dayton declared winner, finally, MPRNews, 12/10/10, http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/12/08/emmer-recount-concession/ retrieved 4/16/11
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Me so happy: Bizarro World heads to Washington
In Superman's Bizarro World, everything is topsy-turvy. Bad is good. Up is down. Indeed, the Bizarro code includes, in perfect Bizarro English, "Us do opposite of all Earthly things!" (1) It seems a lot like that in Wisconsin since Walker took over.
Today in Washington, Scott Walker shared the spotlight with Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, both testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about “State and Municipal Debt: Tough Choices Ahead.” Shumlin played Superman to Walker's Bizarro.
Shumlin, a first-term democrat, took over Vermont, a state with severe fiscal problems, this January, creating austere budgets. (4) In a state with collective bargaining, Shumlin, as a Senator in 2009, worked with educator unions to achieve concessions, including, among other things, across the board salary cuts and freezes, as well as increased pension contributions. (2) He negotiated with the state employees union for significant concessions. (3) He came into office declaring that chastising educators and education would stop. (4) His speech today included, "I do not believe that those to blame for our current financial troubles are our law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other state employees." (2) This normal world, it's not a perfect world (teachers discuss strikes, for example, which for Wisconsin public workers are illegal), but Shumlin notes, "...the current debate about state budgets is that the focus has been not on bringing people together to solve common problems, like we have done in Vermont, but on division and blame." (2) A reporter from Vermont related to me that working together is, indeed, pretty much the case. (4)
That is the normal world.
And then there is the Bizarro World.
First off, Walker's colleague, Republican Jim Sensenbrenner introduced Walker with what those in the normal world would consider an unflattering term, a "very polarizing figure." (5) Walker called his own policies "progressive" (5) (which in Bizarro World must mean "incredibly conservative"). He included the Bizarro gem, "Sometimes, bipartisanship is not so good. " (5) And he was grilled by committee members on everything from not mentioning collective bargaining in his campaign and union busting (both which he admitted during questioning, but at no other time), to the patronizing hire of Brian Deschane, the unqualified son of a bigtime donor. (5) And when I was watching the news, it appeared that Bizarro governor seemed to think the testimony was going swimmingly.
Us in Wisconsin no need to worry.
Me so happy.
Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introducing Scott Walker
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) asking about union busting
(1) Bizarro World entry, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro_World
(2) Mr. Shumlin Goes To Washington, Shumlin website, http://governor.vermont.gov/blog-mister-shumlin-goes-to-washington
(3) Governor...Contract With State Employees Union, Vermont Official website, http://www.vermont.gov/portal/government/article.php?news=1485
(4) Interview with Vermont reporter, personal conversation, 4/14/11
(5) Walker proves a lightning rod..., by Craig Gilbert, JS Online, 4/14/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119838014.html
Today in Washington, Scott Walker shared the spotlight with Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, both testifying before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about “State and Municipal Debt: Tough Choices Ahead.” Shumlin played Superman to Walker's Bizarro.
Shumlin, a first-term democrat, took over Vermont, a state with severe fiscal problems, this January, creating austere budgets. (4) In a state with collective bargaining, Shumlin, as a Senator in 2009, worked with educator unions to achieve concessions, including, among other things, across the board salary cuts and freezes, as well as increased pension contributions. (2) He negotiated with the state employees union for significant concessions. (3) He came into office declaring that chastising educators and education would stop. (4) His speech today included, "I do not believe that those to blame for our current financial troubles are our law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other state employees." (2) This normal world, it's not a perfect world (teachers discuss strikes, for example, which for Wisconsin public workers are illegal), but Shumlin notes, "...the current debate about state budgets is that the focus has been not on bringing people together to solve common problems, like we have done in Vermont, but on division and blame." (2) A reporter from Vermont related to me that working together is, indeed, pretty much the case. (4)
That is the normal world.
And then there is the Bizarro World.
First off, Walker's colleague, Republican Jim Sensenbrenner introduced Walker with what those in the normal world would consider an unflattering term, a "very polarizing figure." (5) Walker called his own policies "progressive" (5) (which in Bizarro World must mean "incredibly conservative"). He included the Bizarro gem, "Sometimes, bipartisanship is not so good. " (5) And he was grilled by committee members on everything from not mentioning collective bargaining in his campaign and union busting (both which he admitted during questioning, but at no other time), to the patronizing hire of Brian Deschane, the unqualified son of a bigtime donor. (5) And when I was watching the news, it appeared that Bizarro governor seemed to think the testimony was going swimmingly.
Us in Wisconsin no need to worry.
Me so happy.
Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introducing Scott Walker
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) asking about union busting
(1) Bizarro World entry, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro_World
(2) Mr. Shumlin Goes To Washington, Shumlin website, http://governor.vermont.gov/blog-mister-shumlin-goes-to-washington
(3) Governor...Contract With State Employees Union, Vermont Official website, http://www.vermont.gov/portal/government/article.php?news=1485
(4) Interview with Vermont reporter, personal conversation, 4/14/11
(5) Walker proves a lightning rod..., by Craig Gilbert, JS Online, 4/14/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119838014.html
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
A Teacher's Tale
A rare departure from my usual posts: divisiveness since Scott Walker
Today I saw a parent from afar who I remember from when I had his daughter, Ashley, in my class a few years back. Today he watched with pride--as did I--as his daughter excelled in a school district competition. Ashley was quiet, a bit insecure, but she was bright, polite and helpful, and was truly an enjoyable kid. I tried to give her tasks to build her confidence, I gave her special projects to keep her challenged and excited. Her parents seemed happy with her experience in our classroom.
About six weeks ago, my teaching colleagues and I walked through our community to share our views on Governor Walker's budget bill. Some carried signs, most of the garden variety, "Honk, if you like teachers," things like that.
A few people did honk. Not a lot, but in this heavily-Republicanized county, it was still reassuring. More shook their heads in disgust as they went by. A couple passers-by gave us the finger, community members I recognized, and with whom I had exchanged greetings on occasion.
And I can picture Ashley's dad, hanging out his car window, veins popping from his neck, his voice angry as he hurled insults defaming my profession, my school, my personal character. And then he turned his car around and did it again.
Not long afterward, his wife came by, with Ashley in the passenger seat. Ashley's mom honked, and continued honking, with her left hand out the window, furiously pumping a thumbs-down.
And all I could think of was, "Hey, remember me? I taught your daughter. I cared for her, built her spirit, nourished her intellect. I was proud--still am--to say I was her teacher."
Well, that's not all I thought.
I thought how truly sorry I felt for that poor, little girl.
Today I saw a parent from afar who I remember from when I had his daughter, Ashley, in my class a few years back. Today he watched with pride--as did I--as his daughter excelled in a school district competition. Ashley was quiet, a bit insecure, but she was bright, polite and helpful, and was truly an enjoyable kid. I tried to give her tasks to build her confidence, I gave her special projects to keep her challenged and excited. Her parents seemed happy with her experience in our classroom.
About six weeks ago, my teaching colleagues and I walked through our community to share our views on Governor Walker's budget bill. Some carried signs, most of the garden variety, "Honk, if you like teachers," things like that.
A few people did honk. Not a lot, but in this heavily-Republicanized county, it was still reassuring. More shook their heads in disgust as they went by. A couple passers-by gave us the finger, community members I recognized, and with whom I had exchanged greetings on occasion.
And I can picture Ashley's dad, hanging out his car window, veins popping from his neck, his voice angry as he hurled insults defaming my profession, my school, my personal character. And then he turned his car around and did it again.
Not long afterward, his wife came by, with Ashley in the passenger seat. Ashley's mom honked, and continued honking, with her left hand out the window, furiously pumping a thumbs-down.
And all I could think of was, "Hey, remember me? I taught your daughter. I cared for her, built her spirit, nourished her intellect. I was proud--still am--to say I was her teacher."
Well, that's not all I thought.
I thought how truly sorry I felt for that poor, little girl.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Nuggets from the News
A smattering of stuff today from our favorite governor...
From Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel: "Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that he’d ordered that a son of a prominent supporter be demoted because there were “more qualified” candidates available."
Really, Governor? Your crack staff couldn't figure out that a guy with no college degree and no experience wasn't less qualified than a guy with a doctoral degree and eight years experience (who didn't even get an interview, for goodness sakes)? (1)
Daniel Bice (again) of the JS: "Who knew that Gov. Scott Walker had headed out on a national tour to help raise money for Republican senators facing possible recalls?" Bice cites an interview with NewsMax.com (cited in an earlier posting here) that Walker was in Florida drumming up money for legislators in Wisconsin. (2,3)
You're kidding, right? The governor who wailed about protestors "almost all from out of state" (and proven false (4) ) is now not doing his job by traveling to seek money from out-of-state people to help his pals? Amazing.
And one more from the Journal Sentinel (Patrick Marley): "Milwaukee's ordinance requiring businesses to provide paid sick leave would be voided under a bill Republicans in the Assembly sent to Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday." (5)
As we've heard, ad nauseam, when the majority vote fits Walker's agenda, it's "Hey, the people voted for it." This ordinance passed with 69% of the vote. That's 69%! And, since Walker doesn't want it, he yet again--just like collective bargaining, just like open meetings--simply has his legislature change the laws to accommodate his agenda. Did I already say, "Amazing?"
A little less than 266 days until the recall petition can be submitted to the GAB, Governor.
But, then, who's counting?
(1) "Walker Responds..., JS Online, 4/12/11
(2) "Report: Walker Launches national fundraising tour, JS Online, 4/12/11
(3) "Walker: Unions Won't Steal Prosser Election Win," NewsMax.com, 4/10/11
(4) Politifact, JS Online
(5) "Court of Appeals reinstates...," JS Online, 3/24/11
From Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel: "Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that he’d ordered that a son of a prominent supporter be demoted because there were “more qualified” candidates available."
Really, Governor? Your crack staff couldn't figure out that a guy with no college degree and no experience wasn't less qualified than a guy with a doctoral degree and eight years experience (who didn't even get an interview, for goodness sakes)? (1)
Daniel Bice (again) of the JS: "Who knew that Gov. Scott Walker had headed out on a national tour to help raise money for Republican senators facing possible recalls?" Bice cites an interview with NewsMax.com (cited in an earlier posting here) that Walker was in Florida drumming up money for legislators in Wisconsin. (2,3)
You're kidding, right? The governor who wailed about protestors "almost all from out of state" (and proven false (4) ) is now not doing his job by traveling to seek money from out-of-state people to help his pals? Amazing.
And one more from the Journal Sentinel (Patrick Marley): "Milwaukee's ordinance requiring businesses to provide paid sick leave would be voided under a bill Republicans in the Assembly sent to Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday." (5)
As we've heard, ad nauseam, when the majority vote fits Walker's agenda, it's "Hey, the people voted for it." This ordinance passed with 69% of the vote. That's 69%! And, since Walker doesn't want it, he yet again--just like collective bargaining, just like open meetings--simply has his legislature change the laws to accommodate his agenda. Did I already say, "Amazing?"
A little less than 266 days until the recall petition can be submitted to the GAB, Governor.
But, then, who's counting?
(1) "Walker Responds..., JS Online, 4/12/11
(2) "Report: Walker Launches national fundraising tour, JS Online, 4/12/11
(3) "Walker: Unions Won't Steal Prosser Election Win," NewsMax.com, 4/10/11
(4) Politifact, JS Online
(5) "Court of Appeals reinstates...," JS Online, 3/24/11
Monday, April 11, 2011
There'll be other days... (um, maybe it does start today...)
As much as I would love to believe Walker's hands are undeniably dirty in this illegal campaign donation scandal (in which William Gardner, president and CEO of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co., funneled tens of thousands of dollars in donations to Walker through W & S employees last year), (1,2) it seems a pretty hard sell on several fronts.
First off, once the donations were realized to have been illegal, it appears Walker's campaign returned the funds to Gardner and his employees. (1,2,3)
Secondly, both Gardner and Walker alerted the Government Accountability Board (regarding campaign financing) when the situation was revealed. (3)
Lastly, most telling and seemingly so VERY unlike the current state administration, Gardner's company was supposedly not in a position to benefit from his donation--instead, his railroad would have benefitted greatly from the new tracks laid for the Milwaukee-Madison high-speed rail, which Walker killed even before his first day in office (3,4) (although according to Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV4, Gardner's company is in line for plenty of money in Walker's current budget). (5)
But I don't think this is what a lot of us thought it would be. For those looking for the scandal, deception, or ethical violation that will bring down Scott Walker, this won't be it. Instead, for you, I just have one word:
Patience.
ADDENDUM: It's starting to stink a bit more: Gardner, who claims he didn't know it was improper (1) was strongly fined for doing essentially the same thing ($5000 through his daughter) in 2005, TO WALKER'S CAMPAIGN. Take a look at the criminal complaint yourself (here, through JS Online article) (1,6) and see what you think (it also contains some communications between Walker and Gardner, including Gardner asking for some government preferential treatment). According to GAB officials, this is all something that wouldn't have been discovered without a tip from Gardner's "friend." (7)
Hmmmm...let's just see how this all plays out, after all...
Thanks to The Political Environment for scrutinizing the Criminal Complaint (click here for post)
(1) Railroad executive charged...,WI State Journal, 4/11/11, http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/blog/article_d2f5df16-644b-11e0-8834-001cc4c03286.html
(2) Railroad exec charged..., JS Online, 4/11/11, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119595644.html
(3) Walker donor broke...rules, JS Online, 5/19/2010, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/94344739.html
(4) Statement from the US Dept. of Transportation, 12/9/10, http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot20810.html
(5) Railroad Executive Pleads Guilty..., Today's TMJ4 News Live at Six, 4/11/11, http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/119596904.html?video=pop&t=a&bctid=CLIP_ID_1447930
(6) Criminal Complaint against William E. Gardner, 4/11/11, http://media.jsonline.com/documents/railroad-exec-041111.PDF
(7) WISN News at Ten, video from 2 PM GAB/Milw DA News conference 4/11/11
First off, once the donations were realized to have been illegal, it appears Walker's campaign returned the funds to Gardner and his employees. (1,2,3)
Secondly, both Gardner and Walker alerted the Government Accountability Board (regarding campaign financing) when the situation was revealed. (3)
Lastly, most telling and seemingly so VERY unlike the current state administration, Gardner's company was supposedly not in a position to benefit from his donation--instead, his railroad would have benefitted greatly from the new tracks laid for the Milwaukee-Madison high-speed rail, which Walker killed even before his first day in office (3,4) (although according to Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV4, Gardner's company is in line for plenty of money in Walker's current budget). (5)
But I don't think this is what a lot of us thought it would be. For those looking for the scandal, deception, or ethical violation that will bring down Scott Walker, this won't be it. Instead, for you, I just have one word:
Patience.
ADDENDUM: It's starting to stink a bit more: Gardner, who claims he didn't know it was improper (1) was strongly fined for doing essentially the same thing ($5000 through his daughter) in 2005, TO WALKER'S CAMPAIGN. Take a look at the criminal complaint yourself (here, through JS Online article) (1,6) and see what you think (it also contains some communications between Walker and Gardner, including Gardner asking for some government preferential treatment). According to GAB officials, this is all something that wouldn't have been discovered without a tip from Gardner's "friend." (7)
Hmmmm...let's just see how this all plays out, after all...
Thanks to The Political Environment for scrutinizing the Criminal Complaint (click here for post)
(1) Railroad executive charged...,WI State Journal, 4/11/11, http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/blog/article_d2f5df16-644b-11e0-8834-001cc4c03286.html
(2) Railroad exec charged..., JS Online, 4/11/11, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119595644.html
(3) Walker donor broke...rules, JS Online, 5/19/2010, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/94344739.html
(4) Statement from the US Dept. of Transportation, 12/9/10, http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot20810.html
(5) Railroad Executive Pleads Guilty..., Today's TMJ4 News Live at Six, 4/11/11, http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/119596904.html?video=pop&t=a&bctid=CLIP_ID_1447930
(6) Criminal Complaint against William E. Gardner, 4/11/11, http://media.jsonline.com/documents/railroad-exec-041111.PDF
(7) WISN News at Ten, video from 2 PM GAB/Milw DA News conference 4/11/11
Sunday, April 10, 2011
WHO won't steal the election?
In an interview with Newsmax.com, Governor Walker vows that union leaders won't steal the election from David Prosser. (1)
Huh? Which candidate has more reason to question voting irregularities?
Governor, how about "We know there were some questions with the clerk's handling of votes in Waukesha County, so we'll make sure everything is above board?"
Nope. My governor, yet again, jumps right over conciliatory to combative.
And Walker maintains in the interview that "it is clear" that Republicans did not violate the open meetings law to pass budget repair which, of course, he is confident the Supreme Court will uphold (which includes Prosser who just happens to be the candidate Walker's administration said would be essential to further their agenda). (2)
I'm guessing, then, they haven't been even entertaining other possibilites. For what it's worth, my senator, Grothman, e-mailed me April 5, regarding my question as to whether they'd be re-passing budget repair that "discussions were underway." (3)
But now Walker and his colleagues won't have to worry about that. They'll just have to worry about keeping the possibility of "union thugs" in the headlines, to divert attention from their own "irregularities."
ADDENDUM: The Newsmax interview also intimates that Kloppenburg received an inordinate amount of outside campaign money. Politifact estimated that Prosser spent 38% more such money than did she. (4)
(1) Governor Walker Vows..., Newsmax.com, http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/scott-walker-prosser-election/2011/04/10/id/392402
(2) Walker agenda could be stopped, if Prosser is defeated, JS Online, 4/5/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119285829.html
(3) Personal e-mail correspondence from Sen. Glenn Grothman, 4/5/11
(4) Politifact, JS Online, http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/apr/10/charlie-sykes/charlie-sykes-says-joanne-kloppenburg-had-3-1-adva/
Huh? Which candidate has more reason to question voting irregularities?
Governor, how about "We know there were some questions with the clerk's handling of votes in Waukesha County, so we'll make sure everything is above board?"
Nope. My governor, yet again, jumps right over conciliatory to combative.
And Walker maintains in the interview that "it is clear" that Republicans did not violate the open meetings law to pass budget repair which, of course, he is confident the Supreme Court will uphold (which includes Prosser who just happens to be the candidate Walker's administration said would be essential to further their agenda). (2)
I'm guessing, then, they haven't been even entertaining other possibilites. For what it's worth, my senator, Grothman, e-mailed me April 5, regarding my question as to whether they'd be re-passing budget repair that "discussions were underway." (3)
But now Walker and his colleagues won't have to worry about that. They'll just have to worry about keeping the possibility of "union thugs" in the headlines, to divert attention from their own "irregularities."
ADDENDUM: The Newsmax interview also intimates that Kloppenburg received an inordinate amount of outside campaign money. Politifact estimated that Prosser spent 38% more such money than did she. (4)
(1) Governor Walker Vows..., Newsmax.com, http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/scott-walker-prosser-election/2011/04/10/id/392402
(2) Walker agenda could be stopped, if Prosser is defeated, JS Online, 4/5/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119285829.html
(3) Personal e-mail correspondence from Sen. Glenn Grothman, 4/5/11
(4) Politifact, JS Online, http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/apr/10/charlie-sykes/charlie-sykes-says-joanne-kloppenburg-had-3-1-adva/
Saturday, April 9, 2011
What, me worry?
Sure, changes in my working conditions and pay as a public employee will be further determined by a State Supreme Court decision. But, no problem, because the Court follows the state Constitution, right?
And it just so happens that it looks as though the candidate the Walker administration said would best further its agenda (1) happened to spring ahead in the election after all the results had already been announced.
And, just by coincidence, the clerk who found the votes in a pro-Walker county happened to work a few years back in a GOP caucus for Republican Assemblyman David Prosser just before the caucus was dissolved for illegal actions (a clerk, by the way, whose secretive and inaccurate vote-reporting methods have been criticized before). (2,3)
But I can rest easy regarding any improprieties because the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (who just happened to endorse David Prosser) has declared that the missing votes made sense. (4)
The Capital Times editorialized that if this had happened in Illinois, for example, and that the Dems there just happened to find 7500 more votes for their candidate (coincidentally, about the number needed to stop a recount), you bet people would scrutinize it. (5)
But, thank goodness, this is Wisconsin.
What, me worry?
Great link about civility in recall campaign: April 9 entry of Mark Peterson's Glenn Grothmann Watch
Thanks to The Political Environment for the Cap Times editorial tip.
(1) Walker agenda could be stopped, if Prosser is defeated, JS Online, 4/5/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119285829.html
(2) Election officials scrutinize Waukesha County results, JS Online, 4/8/11, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119486574.html
(3) Waukesha County clerk has drawn criticisms in the past, WI State Journal, 4/9/11, http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_7e777016-62b2-11e0-9b74-001cc4c002e0.html
(4) The Waukesha Surprise..., JS Online, 4/8/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119476004.html
(5) Scandal in Fitzwalkerstan...,Cap Times, 4/8/11, http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/article_be206ecd-4b8d-571a-9fa2-cb4e5bf8e668.html
And it just so happens that it looks as though the candidate the Walker administration said would best further its agenda (1) happened to spring ahead in the election after all the results had already been announced.
And, just by coincidence, the clerk who found the votes in a pro-Walker county happened to work a few years back in a GOP caucus for Republican Assemblyman David Prosser just before the caucus was dissolved for illegal actions (a clerk, by the way, whose secretive and inaccurate vote-reporting methods have been criticized before). (2,3)
But I can rest easy regarding any improprieties because the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (who just happened to endorse David Prosser) has declared that the missing votes made sense. (4)
The Capital Times editorialized that if this had happened in Illinois, for example, and that the Dems there just happened to find 7500 more votes for their candidate (coincidentally, about the number needed to stop a recount), you bet people would scrutinize it. (5)
But, thank goodness, this is Wisconsin.
What, me worry?
Great link about civility in recall campaign: April 9 entry of Mark Peterson's Glenn Grothmann Watch
Thanks to The Political Environment for the Cap Times editorial tip.
(1) Walker agenda could be stopped, if Prosser is defeated, JS Online, 4/5/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119285829.html
(2) Election officials scrutinize Waukesha County results, JS Online, 4/8/11, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119486574.html
(3) Waukesha County clerk has drawn criticisms in the past, WI State Journal, 4/9/11, http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_7e777016-62b2-11e0-9b74-001cc4c002e0.html
(4) The Waukesha Surprise..., JS Online, 4/8/11, http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/119476004.html
(5) Scandal in Fitzwalkerstan...,Cap Times, 4/8/11, http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/article_be206ecd-4b8d-571a-9fa2-cb4e5bf8e668.html
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