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6/29/2007
Wieckert, Kaufert targeted by Dems
Reince Priebus, newly elected state GOP chair, and Joe Wineke, veteran state Dem chair, went at it Thursday at a WisPolitics-hosted luncheon in the venerable Madison Club overlooking Monona Terrace.
Wineke practically left his chair, dreaming of a Dem Assembly takeover in ’08. “We’re going to take nine [seats] in the Assembly – and we only need three!” Ok, you’ve got me trembling.
Those in the gun sights that I caught as he rattled them off were GOP Representatives J.A. Hines (42nd), Eugene Hahn (47th), Dean Kaufert (55th), Steve Wieckert (57th), Terry Moulton (68th), Brett Davis (80th), “someone in Menomonee, I think” – Jeff Mursau? (36th), and “one of them in Green Bay” – Van Roy? (90th).
When he got to the Senate, Wineke spoke expansively about the 8th District in southeast Wisconsin. “We’re going to beat Darling – going away” [with Representative Sheldon Wasserman]. To which Priebus responded with the GOP’s take on a vulnerable Senate Seat. “Forcing [State Sen. Dave] Hansen to take all those votes [on Joint Finance] wasn’t smart.”
Though dogged like a litigator (which he is), Priebus (say “R‘eye’nce Preebus”) comes across as understated compared with the gregarious Dem boss. Priebus spoke of Rep. Kagen’s repeated missteps in the 8th Congressional, deadpanning that “Wineke’s had to straighten out too many gaffes.” When he shared that “Obviously, John Gard is looking at that seat to give it another try,” Wineke pounced. “Gard has very high negatives – that would be a gift for me.”
And then there’s health care and the oil tax.
Priebus repeatedly dared Democrats in the Assembly to introduce Healthy Wisconsin as its own bill so they could go on record with their votes. Healthy Wisconsin, of course, is the $15 Billion(!) program the Senate wrapped into the budget bill at the last second. Or, Priebus said, “put it to a referendum. Constituents know better.” Wineke countered with what I heard as worn out platitudes (well, platitudes that still work…) about Republicans bedding down with the insurance, hospital and health care industries.
And the oil tax. Wineke lamented what he called the big oil monopoly. “Stick it to ‘em – big oil controls everything.” To which Priebus nimbly responded “that’s like saying cows control milk [markets]." He’s confident voters can see straight through the oil tax, recognizing the folly in the claim that a tax on “big oil” wouldn’t find its way to the gas pump.
Former State Senator and now big Dem boss Joe Wineke is absolutely great at what he does. He knows what he believes, has the issues and the sound bites down pat, and pulls off anything he does in grand style. Relative newcomer Reince Priebus is fast getting up to speed – and for going up against the big guy, held his own and did an admirable job.
Are political parties dead today? No evidence here. These two guys are itching for the fight, comfortable with strong, principled beliefs, and confident in their starting lineups. I loved it.
COMMENTS
Jo, I am new to Fox Politics, but I wanted you to know that I enjoy your blog postings. Keep up the good work.
Fred Shaffer (Fri Jun 29 12:58:47 2007)
It's interesting Wineke left off his list Rep. Mary Williams and Rep. Lee Nerison as likely Republican targets. Both won by less than 300 votes, and Williams opponent spent less than 1,000 dollars. And how about Rep. Terry Musser, whose Green Beret credentials were exposed as fraudulent this spring after 20 years. And Rep. Wood always seems to need bailing out by WMC, or the Madison folks to survive.
Jerry (Sat Jun 30 06:57:38 2007)
Having witnessed Sen Wineke as a Madison/Waunakee resident many moons ago, your take on him sounds accurate. The parties talk a good game to appear different. The reality in the past few sessions, however, shows that they're more or less similar with the resulting legislation. GOP types chuck their limited gov't mantra out the window somewhere along 151 heading into Dane County. Welfare for ethanol barons, road builders, and the teeth-gnashing over a proposed gas minimum markup repeal didn't appear to be too conservative. So, whatever Sen Wineke says, at worst he'll get Dem-Lite in the Assembly and Senate from many GOPers. Sounds cynical, but help me out here. Is that inaccurate? Regards, -bk
Yeah... you're so right. But let's put at least some of the blame on us - we, who each want the government to do one thing or another for us. (Campaign money and lobbyists aside...) Care for our grandmother, our child, our dead animals - whatever. The GOP line of less government (is that as bad as castor oil?) for everyone is very difficult to implement. I believe in it to my bones, many of us believe in it - but it's just so much easier - and better received by constituents - to give than to receive. JE
bk (Thu Jun 28 22:34:15 2007)
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