4/3/2008
Conservatives rejoice, Soglin grabs at straws
Reince Priebus, Chairman, RPW, says, predictably, the many victories for conservatives around the state were a clear ‘Win for Conservatives.”
“Wisconsin voters made a statement Tuesday supporting mainstream conservative candidates across Wisconsin. Sending many liberals and their principles packing, Wisconsinites have clearly seen too many activist judges legislate from the bench, don’t want Governor Doyle increasing their taxes with the Frankenstein veto, and don’t want a tax and spend liberal mentality running their local government.
In their overconfident hurry to the left two years ago, Wisconsin Democrats turned their back on voters just like Democrats across the country. Tuesday’s elections were a victory for conservatives and our message, and we plan to build on our successes as we look toward November.”
From Amy, at Modern Commentaries
In a state that - just two years ago - re-elected a very liberal governor in Jim Doyle, it's amazing to think that two conservatives [Gableman and Walker] won these elections.
From the Post-spring Election WisPolitics Stock Report
Will the coalition next set its sights on liberal Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who's up in 2009? Conservatives also can cheer the re-election of Milwaukee Co. Exec Scott Walker in Dem-leaning Milwaukee County. Could it be the beginnings of a coalition that could help John McCain and Republican legislative candidates in November? Republicans are buoyant, saying conservatives have been energized. Dems, while admitting it wasn't a good day, mostly shrug it off saying the November elections with their expected high turnout and prez year politics will be nothing but bad news for the GOP.
…. The big money this time fueled a race that observers expect will easily surpass $5 million in spending by all sources. Reformers say that kind of special interest-dominated campaign is hurting democracy and the public's confidence in the judiciary. Opponents say the First Amendment won out and dismiss the complaints as sour grapes. And others say the current system, while flawed, leaves the final call up to voters.
…. The Dem guv wasn't on the ballot, but he was closely linked to three races that went against his interests. His 2004 appointment of Butler to the state Supreme Court was erased, his financial and personnel help to Taylor went for naught, and his veto power was curtailed in a statewide vote. Doyle's one win was the election of Lisa Neubauer to a full term on the 2nd District Court of Appeals after he put her on the bench just a few months ago.
And then there’s Former Madison left-wing mayor Paul Soglin, looking (deeeep) for “Why We Won.” What?
As Wisconsin heads into the fall elections, there are important trends and factors to consider:
- WMC, despite the three victories, has paid a price for its swagger. The internal problems involving disgruntled members is growing and worsening by the day. The Gableman victory will please the smug Right but it only creates more problems for the moderate Republicans and Democrats within the organization.
- While WMC's Jimmy Buchen spins things by pointing out that his organization was outspent by the Greater Wisconsin Committee, he knows full well that the collective spending of his organization as part of the right wing cabal crushed the pro-Butler forces. This is important to recognize for two reasons:
- First, it means that if the overall financial playing field is leveled, progressives will be elected.
- Secondly, it is a reminder that while we can stop some of the Wisconsin corporate money going into the WMC Issues Committee, the cabal will turn to other right wing groups who will raise the money outside of Wisconsin.
- Moderate Republicans are estranged from WMC and the leadership of the Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly. An examination of public supporters of Butler and Gableman indicates that while the incumbent received individual endorsements from the 'usual suspects,' Gableman received few personal endorsements from moderate Republican leaders thats used to line up behind Governor Tommy Thompson.
Read the whole thing. Credit Soglin with avoiding the whining of the rest of his compatriots. But my gosh – is this grabbing at straws? Wow.
COMMENTS
I like the use of "cabal" there by Soglin and glad that there is a bit of balance in this overly self congratulatory election response.
It is no feather in anyone's cap when manipulation of the public by talking about crime rather than policy skews the truth. Some call it spin. Some call it subterfuge.
And the worst thing of all is the term 'activist judges.' I could just puke when I hear this. It's right out of the Frank Luntz playbook of hot button phraseology used to trigger emotion rather than common sense.
From all indications Gableman is a poor representative of the profession propped up like a cardboard cutout who was barely involved in his own campaign.
What is disheartening (if we can totally disallow outright manipulation of the vote) is that the public has so little appreciation of what a policy judge does. Those judges are the activists in policy change. Isn't that what Republican's want? And isn't that precisely what their manipulation of the issues got?
It's another link in the system of Corporate Socialism at the top and foreclosures at the bottom.
A favorite quote of mine is, "There is no noticeable difference between a conspiracy and a long range business plan."
It fits the definition of a cabal as well.
Lon Ponschock (Thu Apr 03 12:56:40 2008)
Right on Lon
dave allen (Tue Apr 08 11:56:03 2008)
What is disheartening (if we can totally disallow outright manipulation of the vote) is that the public has so little appreciation of what a policy judge does. Those judges are the activists in policy change. Isn't that what Republican's want? And isn't that precisely what their manipulation of the issues got?
Lon, It's too bad you know so little about conservatives. We want judges who uphold the laws. Not write new ones. Loophole Louie Butler was a terrible judge.
Randy Williamson (Mon Apr 14 18:54:44 2008)
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