It's official. The recall signatures are valid. Senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) better start updating his resume. Although several GOP State Senators are vulnerable in upcoming recall elections (i.e., Alberta Darling of River Hills, who won by only two percentage points in 2008, and Dan Kapanke of La Crosse, where part of his district recently toppled the longtime tradition of Republicans in the Assembly), none seems nearly as ripe for the picking as does Hopper.
Hopper won his 2008 seat in a virtual dead heat with Democrat Jessica King of Oshkosh (a 180 vote difference out of more than 80,000 cast), who will face him in the recall election. Recall petitions gathered more than 150% of the signatures needed to bring the election (more than 23,000), tentatively slated for July 12.
And Hopper's personal problems likely won't help him either. Last year, Hopper's wife issued a public statement to Milwaukee's WTMJ that declared her husband of 25 years had moved out and was having an affair with a Republican aide. What makes it even more interesting is that the aide, Valerie Cass, was given a job in the Walker administration, a hiring the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Daniel Bice reports may have been less than transparent. For good measure, there were even unsubstantiated reports that Hopper's wife had signed one of the recall petitions.
And so it begins.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Concealed guns for everyone!
Republicans are about to turn back the clock--to 1872, the last time it was lawful to carry concealed weapons in the state (great background here). That means the stressed guy in the next cubicle, the angry road-rage hothead you just accidentally cut off in traffic, the drunk who's picking fights in the bar could all be packing heat.
And it gets better. A current Republican-sponsored bill would require no permits, no background checks, and no training. (JS Online article here). But the bill does have the stringent requirements that someone walking around with a loaded handgun in their Jockeys be at least 21 years old, not a felon, and not have been ruled mentally incompetent. Thank goodness, huh?
I admit I don't know an awful lot about the issue. My post was late tonight because I was doing some more research on it. It seems a lot of the pro-concealed carry argument comes from the seminal Lott-Mustard study of 1997 showing that concealed carry correlates with lowered crime (because, as Lott says, "criminals are uncertain which potential victims can defend themselves"). However, there are studies reviewing the same statistics and coming to the conclusion that concealed carry actually increases crime (one example study here). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any reputable studies from the last ten years that backed either side.
To be sure, Wisconsin is one of only two states (along with Illinois) that does not allow concealed carry. And even Senator Russ Feingold backed a Republican-sponsored proposal in 2009 that would have allowed concealed carry into Wisconsin if it was legal in someone's home state.
But that doesn't make it right.
And they figured that out already back in the days of Billy the Kid..
And it gets better. A current Republican-sponsored bill would require no permits, no background checks, and no training. (JS Online article here). But the bill does have the stringent requirements that someone walking around with a loaded handgun in their Jockeys be at least 21 years old, not a felon, and not have been ruled mentally incompetent. Thank goodness, huh?
I admit I don't know an awful lot about the issue. My post was late tonight because I was doing some more research on it. It seems a lot of the pro-concealed carry argument comes from the seminal Lott-Mustard study of 1997 showing that concealed carry correlates with lowered crime (because, as Lott says, "criminals are uncertain which potential victims can defend themselves"). However, there are studies reviewing the same statistics and coming to the conclusion that concealed carry actually increases crime (one example study here). Unfortunately, I couldn't find any reputable studies from the last ten years that backed either side.
To be sure, Wisconsin is one of only two states (along with Illinois) that does not allow concealed carry. And even Senator Russ Feingold backed a Republican-sponsored proposal in 2009 that would have allowed concealed carry into Wisconsin if it was legal in someone's home state.
But that doesn't make it right.
And they figured that out already back in the days of Billy the Kid..
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day from Governor Walker
Governor Scott Walker said today he has "great respect for mothers, I really do." Shortly thereafter, he announced that today mothers will have to contribute 50% of their brunch costs saying, "It's time mothers pay their fair share." Walker went on to remark, "It gives kids the tools to balance their budgets" and that "Most mothers would be happy to get this kind of deal." Walker also promoted his "Mother Recognition Program" to acknowledge the fine work they do in working with the children of our state. It's a program, as Walker stated, designed to "highlight the most outstanding mothers with public recognition."
Friday, May 6, 2011
Republicrap: Turds from the Capitol
Just a fun, few days from the Republicans have provided a steaming pile of news.
1. After preaching how important law enforcement is before and during his election, Walker announced last month he'd impose layoffs to state prosecutors because they wouldn't agree to furlough days. Walker stayed with that completely contradictory stance, until another took center stage: he realized that he didn't have the legal authority to do so. So, today, Walker flipped again and said, "public safety is a top concern of my administration and thousands of Wisconsin families that cannot be disregarded. For this reason, we will ensure that prosecutors are not furloughed and receive the funding necessary to pursue justice." Now, please understand, yesterday this wasn't important at all.
2. Wisconsin's own Reince Priebus, the Republican National Chairman says the Wisconsin vote in 2010 was, indeed, a mandate to act. That's a mandate in a governor's race in which a three percent swing would have swung the election the other way. In Milwaukee in 2008, the people of the city voted for a "sick leave" ordinance , 69%-31%. That seems like a mandate. When the ordinance even passed a court of appeals, that's when Walker and his pals went to work. Igonoring this mandate, Republicans passed a bill which Walker signed into law to make such local ordinances illegal (because Walker said it would be bad for businesses). Milwaukee Democratic Rep. Christine Sinicki called it "a slap in the face to the people of the City of Milwaukee." If you're scoring at home, a 5+% gubernatorial victory is a mandate to do whatever you want if you're a Madison Republican, while a 38% margin, legally upheld victory on a local ordinance can just be made illegal if it doesn't fit in with the Republican agenda.
3. My personal favorite: As you no doubt know by now, Governor Walker--after eliminating collective bargaining and passing legislation to purposely break public unions; after his legislators called public workers all sorts of nasty names including slobs, thugs, and greedy; after mandating wage cuts of around 8% only to some public workers (with no discussion, by the way), a package he implies his bartender brother would love to have--has just announced a program to recognize outstanding state employees. As Journal Sentinel columnist Jim Stingl writes, "Wow, this could be one awkward awards ceremony."
News from the last few days also includes the serious charges of fraud in recall petitions, fast-tracking open-pit mining in ecologically fragile areas (original post from Uppity Wisconsin), and a guilty plea for illegal campaign contributions from a Walker backer who amazingly says he didn't realize he did anything wrong, even though he also made illegal contributions to Walker's campaign in 2005!
I thought the aroma I smelled was the result of the springtime fields of nearby farmers.
I guess I was mistaken.
1. After preaching how important law enforcement is before and during his election, Walker announced last month he'd impose layoffs to state prosecutors because they wouldn't agree to furlough days. Walker stayed with that completely contradictory stance, until another took center stage: he realized that he didn't have the legal authority to do so. So, today, Walker flipped again and said, "public safety is a top concern of my administration and thousands of Wisconsin families that cannot be disregarded. For this reason, we will ensure that prosecutors are not furloughed and receive the funding necessary to pursue justice." Now, please understand, yesterday this wasn't important at all.
2. Wisconsin's own Reince Priebus, the Republican National Chairman says the Wisconsin vote in 2010 was, indeed, a mandate to act. That's a mandate in a governor's race in which a three percent swing would have swung the election the other way. In Milwaukee in 2008, the people of the city voted for a "sick leave" ordinance , 69%-31%. That seems like a mandate. When the ordinance even passed a court of appeals, that's when Walker and his pals went to work. Igonoring this mandate, Republicans passed a bill which Walker signed into law to make such local ordinances illegal (because Walker said it would be bad for businesses). Milwaukee Democratic Rep. Christine Sinicki called it "a slap in the face to the people of the City of Milwaukee." If you're scoring at home, a 5+% gubernatorial victory is a mandate to do whatever you want if you're a Madison Republican, while a 38% margin, legally upheld victory on a local ordinance can just be made illegal if it doesn't fit in with the Republican agenda.
3. My personal favorite: As you no doubt know by now, Governor Walker--after eliminating collective bargaining and passing legislation to purposely break public unions; after his legislators called public workers all sorts of nasty names including slobs, thugs, and greedy; after mandating wage cuts of around 8% only to some public workers (with no discussion, by the way), a package he implies his bartender brother would love to have--has just announced a program to recognize outstanding state employees. As Journal Sentinel columnist Jim Stingl writes, "Wow, this could be one awkward awards ceremony."
News from the last few days also includes the serious charges of fraud in recall petitions, fast-tracking open-pit mining in ecologically fragile areas (original post from Uppity Wisconsin), and a guilty plea for illegal campaign contributions from a Walker backer who amazingly says he didn't realize he did anything wrong, even though he also made illegal contributions to Walker's campaign in 2005!
I thought the aroma I smelled was the result of the springtime fields of nearby farmers.
I guess I was mistaken.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Lies and more lies: Recall Petitions against Dems fraudulently obtained?
Democrats have challenged recall petitions filed against three Democratic State Senators due to widespread allegations of fraud. Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller (D-Monona), in a press release today (and reported by Tim Tolan in JS Online), said that the collection of signatures to recall Sens. Dave Hansen of Green Bay, Robert Wirch of Pleasant Prairie and Jim Holperin of Conover, "shows a pervasive pattern of election fraud committed by the shady out-of-state organization hired by Republicans to collect recall petitions."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH SEN. MILLER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
Republicans farmed out signature collection to Kennedy Enterprises of Colorado, some of whose employees reportedly used measures to collect signatures that included hiding the true purpose of the petition, and even spouted outright lies (according to the Daily Kos, lies such as circulating petitions among Indian peoples claiming they were for "tribal rights"). Some signers that had been named outright denied ever even signing such a petition (Wisconsin State Journal).
And this isn't just a couple of signatures, or the deceased father of a Democratic Representative (as was found to be the case on a Wirch recall petition earlier this week), reportedly thousands of signatures appear to have been obtained in this manner. The Daily Kos has specifics of many of the charges, which, to be honest, are numerous and, in some cases, astounding.
Get ready for the desperate spin from the right that Democrats signed the petitions fraudulently to discredit the recall efforts. But what makes more sense--that a mercenary company whose employees reportedly got paid per signature did whatever it could to obtain as many signatures as possible (with no real concern or connection to the voters or issues in this state) or that the Democrats flew way below the radar, filing incredible numbers of false signatures without allowing enough true signatures to be collected alongside them?
Let's just say, based on their recent track record regarding lies and deception within our state, I'm not betting on the Republicans to come out on top.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH SEN. MILLER'S PRESS CONFERENCE
Republicans farmed out signature collection to Kennedy Enterprises of Colorado, some of whose employees reportedly used measures to collect signatures that included hiding the true purpose of the petition, and even spouted outright lies (according to the Daily Kos, lies such as circulating petitions among Indian peoples claiming they were for "tribal rights"). Some signers that had been named outright denied ever even signing such a petition (Wisconsin State Journal).
And this isn't just a couple of signatures, or the deceased father of a Democratic Representative (as was found to be the case on a Wirch recall petition earlier this week), reportedly thousands of signatures appear to have been obtained in this manner. The Daily Kos has specifics of many of the charges, which, to be honest, are numerous and, in some cases, astounding.
Get ready for the desperate spin from the right that Democrats signed the petitions fraudulently to discredit the recall efforts. But what makes more sense--that a mercenary company whose employees reportedly got paid per signature did whatever it could to obtain as many signatures as possible (with no real concern or connection to the voters or issues in this state) or that the Democrats flew way below the radar, filing incredible numbers of false signatures without allowing enough true signatures to be collected alongside them?
Let's just say, based on their recent track record regarding lies and deception within our state, I'm not betting on the Republicans to come out on top.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Walker takes big hit in Assembly race outcome
Democrats won only one seat in the WI State Assembly, but look whose seat it was. And, boy, is it a big deal.
Democrat Steve Doyle defeated Republican John Lautz in the 94th State Assembly District (Monroe and LaCrosse Counties) by a 54%-46% margin for the seat vacated by Republican Mike Huebsch, who was tabbed by Walker to become his Secretary of Administration.
So why is this such a big deal?
Huebsch is Walker's guy--responsible for the budget and for writing the proposal that eliminated collective bargaining for state employees. Huebsch's hometown paper, the LaCrosse Tribune calls Huebsch the "man in charge" and occupying "what is widely regarded as the most powerful political seat in Wisconsin after the Governor." As a matter of fact, the last time we saw an Assembly race in the 94th District, Huebsch was re-elected with almost 60% of the vote.
If the people were really with him and his policies, wouldn't you figure his replacement would be a shoo-in? Instead, a Democrat got the nod in a larger margin (8%) than Walker's self-implied "mandate" when he beat Barrett in the 2010 Gubernatorial election (about 5%). It's not unlike what happened to Walker's replacement for his Milwaukee County Executive post, although that was even more pronounced--Walker's pal Jeff Stone got positively stomped by newcomer Chris Abele 61%-39%.
That means the Republican-connected replacements of the state's two most influential politicians most responsible for recent policies of current Wisconsin government were absolutely spanked.
That is a big deal.
The other Assembly races in Republican-laden districts, the 60th (Washington &Ozaukee Counties) and the 83rd (Waukesha, Walworth & Racine Counties) weren't close, but Dem Rick Aaron in 60 garnered 24% in a district that didn't even bother to run a Democrat in 2010, and James Brownlow gained about 5% from his Democratic predecessor in the 2010 election. (2010 results here; 2011 results here).
So it looks as though the non-Walker base is out there. It's alive and breathing, and soon will be coming for some unscrupulous Senators.
And, then, Governor, it's coming for you.
Democrat Steve Doyle defeated Republican John Lautz in the 94th State Assembly District (Monroe and LaCrosse Counties) by a 54%-46% margin for the seat vacated by Republican Mike Huebsch, who was tabbed by Walker to become his Secretary of Administration.
So why is this such a big deal?
Huebsch is Walker's guy--responsible for the budget and for writing the proposal that eliminated collective bargaining for state employees. Huebsch's hometown paper, the LaCrosse Tribune calls Huebsch the "man in charge" and occupying "what is widely regarded as the most powerful political seat in Wisconsin after the Governor." As a matter of fact, the last time we saw an Assembly race in the 94th District, Huebsch was re-elected with almost 60% of the vote.
If the people were really with him and his policies, wouldn't you figure his replacement would be a shoo-in? Instead, a Democrat got the nod in a larger margin (8%) than Walker's self-implied "mandate" when he beat Barrett in the 2010 Gubernatorial election (about 5%). It's not unlike what happened to Walker's replacement for his Milwaukee County Executive post, although that was even more pronounced--Walker's pal Jeff Stone got positively stomped by newcomer Chris Abele 61%-39%.
That means the Republican-connected replacements of the state's two most influential politicians most responsible for recent policies of current Wisconsin government were absolutely spanked.
That is a big deal.
The other Assembly races in Republican-laden districts, the 60th (Washington &Ozaukee Counties) and the 83rd (Waukesha, Walworth & Racine Counties) weren't close, but Dem Rick Aaron in 60 garnered 24% in a district that didn't even bother to run a Democrat in 2010, and James Brownlow gained about 5% from his Democratic predecessor in the 2010 election. (2010 results here; 2011 results here).
So it looks as though the non-Walker base is out there. It's alive and breathing, and soon will be coming for some unscrupulous Senators.
And, then, Governor, it's coming for you.
Chink in the Armor?
I was going to wait until the results were in, but I'm going to say ahead of time that, yes, the special elections for three Wisconsin State Assembly seats is an important statement for non-Walker forces.
Walker's appointment of three Representatives for his administration created the openings in a 60 Rep-37 Dem (one independent) State Assembly, and to be honest, moving three to the Blue side of the aisle won't make much of a difference as far as voting legislation goes. The Republican puppets will still do as the puppetmaster commands.
However, the results will speak volumes about the satisfaction level of Wisconsin voters. Some, such as the AP in the Chicago Tribune, are touting this as a virtual referendum on labor issues.
If labor has managed to mobilize and keep its base energized, there should be some tangible results. Just as JoAnne Kloppenburg ran David Prosser to an almost vrtual dead heat in the State Supreme Court race--after finishing 30 points behind him in the primary--and the in-your-face vote for Milwaukee County exec Chris Abele over Walker pal Jeff Stone--in Walker's old job, by an incredible 61%-39% margin, so, too, will this gauge how the electorate is leaning.
Granted, of these three Assembly seats, two--District 60 in Washington/Ozaukee Counties (Candidate Rick Aaron), and District 83 (Candidate James Brownlow against Paul Ryan disciple Dave Craig) in Racine/Walworth/Waukesha--are stalwart Republican strongholds. Even a 30% showing for Dems would be somewhat of a statement (Democrats usually garner no more than 25% or so of the vote in these districts). 35% would be major. UPDATE: Upon further review, District 83 only went 21% for Dems in 2010, District 60 didn't even run a candidate.
District 94 (parts of LaCrosse and Monroe Counties) has a real chance to turn the tide (as of this moment, LaCrosse station WXOW is reporting a 51-49% lead for Democrat Steve Doyle, with 23% of the precincts reporting).
It's possible by the time I actually get off my butt and post this thing, the election results will be announced.
Hopefully, for the state of Wisconsin, it's good news.
THIS WILL BE UPDATED AS RESULTS COME IN.
9:27 PM JS Online
Dist. 60 100% reporting
Stroebel , GOP, 7,331 votes, 76%
Aaron, Dem, 2,357 votes, 24%
Dist. 83 100% reporting
Craig, GOP, 8,313 votes, 74%
Brownlow, Dem, 2,895 votes, 26%
Dist. 94 100% reporting
Lautz GOP, 7,219 votes, 46%
Doyle, Dem, 8,369 votes, 54%
Walker's appointment of three Representatives for his administration created the openings in a 60 Rep-37 Dem (one independent) State Assembly, and to be honest, moving three to the Blue side of the aisle won't make much of a difference as far as voting legislation goes. The Republican puppets will still do as the puppetmaster commands.
However, the results will speak volumes about the satisfaction level of Wisconsin voters. Some, such as the AP in the Chicago Tribune, are touting this as a virtual referendum on labor issues.
If labor has managed to mobilize and keep its base energized, there should be some tangible results. Just as JoAnne Kloppenburg ran David Prosser to an almost vrtual dead heat in the State Supreme Court race--after finishing 30 points behind him in the primary--and the in-your-face vote for Milwaukee County exec Chris Abele over Walker pal Jeff Stone--in Walker's old job, by an incredible 61%-39% margin, so, too, will this gauge how the electorate is leaning.
Granted, of these three Assembly seats, two--District 60 in Washington/Ozaukee Counties (Candidate Rick Aaron), and District 83 (Candidate James Brownlow against Paul Ryan disciple Dave Craig) in Racine/Walworth/Waukesha--are stalwart Republican strongholds. Even a 30% showing for Dems would be somewhat of a statement (Democrats usually garner no more than 25% or so of the vote in these districts). 35% would be major. UPDATE: Upon further review, District 83 only went 21% for Dems in 2010, District 60 didn't even run a candidate.
District 94 (parts of LaCrosse and Monroe Counties) has a real chance to turn the tide (as of this moment, LaCrosse station WXOW is reporting a 51-49% lead for Democrat Steve Doyle, with 23% of the precincts reporting).
It's possible by the time I actually get off my butt and post this thing, the election results will be announced.
Hopefully, for the state of Wisconsin, it's good news.
THIS WILL BE UPDATED AS RESULTS COME IN.
9:27 PM JS Online
Dist. 60 100% reporting
Stroebel , GOP, 7,331 votes, 76%
Aaron, Dem, 2,357 votes, 24%
Dist. 83 100% reporting
Craig, GOP, 8,313 votes, 74%
Brownlow, Dem, 2,895 votes, 26%
Dist. 94 100% reporting
Lautz GOP, 7,219 votes, 46%
Doyle, Dem, 8,369 votes, 54%
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