March 26, 2012
People's Legislature (TPL)
We picked the nicest spring day in recent years to hold our 4th TPL! A small but enthuisiastic crowd (between 250 and 300) wants action to get money out of politics, and almost everyone endorsed the Tin Cup idea. Good feelings and optimism were part of the day as always at a Fighting Bob event. The four candidates for Tammy Baldwin's seat were superb--all four favor getting money out of politics. It was a good event although not exactly the gubernatorial debate we pushed for. Falk was a no-show as were Barca and Barrett. Kind of hard holding a debate without the candidates.
Doug La Follette was very well received and so was Kathleen Vinehout. Vinehout seemed to gain the most from the TPL.
Ruth Conniff of the Progressive magazine spoke eloqunenty and then co-chaired the meeting. Sarah Lloyd led a discussion group on the Tin Cup platform --stay tuned--and 9-to-5 director Dana Schultz fired up the crowd.
Lots of talk about the "April surprise" that Dave Obey seems to be pushing. Apparently Obey favors Barrett as the candidate for governor, but several people at TPL suggested that quitting the mayor's job a few hours after he is reelected so he could run for governor will be more Palin than Profiles in Courage.
The buzz is that Democratic Party chair Mike Tate is up to his keister in this Obey plan and many in attencance at TPL suggested that people will be angry at any politician that quits while in office to seek a "better" job.
All of the speeches and comments from candidates will be available soon.
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Dear Ed: "Vinehout seemed to gain the most from TPL." Does that mean she was the crowd favorite? I wasn't in attendance Saturday, but I've heard her speak a couple of times and my guess is she was clearly the favorite. Besides, she's the only one of our gutsy senators to declare. How can all but one other candidate avoid a confab of 300 party activists? Were they afraid to be on the same stage with Vinehout? What other explanation is there? As for Obey, he's retired and until he explains why he quit at the eleventh hour, giving his seat to Duffy, he can just go away as far as I'm concerned. If he's had health problems let him say it and not force his supporters to explain his actions on that basis. So I'm not surprised he and Rahm Emanual (as you, thank you, pointed out) are on the same page for our gubernatorial election.
-Dan DeMaio | Hudson, Wi. | March 26, 2012
And what were the results of the straw poll? The count wasn't in when we left, but you said you would post it on the web site. Inquiring minds, or at least my mind, want to know...
And yes, Kathleen Vinehout was very good. Her first statement was, "I am in favor of a Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United." Good for her!
-Linda Wyeth | Curtiss, WI | March 26, 2012
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