November 16, 2009
So much for platforms
Jim Doyle has been very consistent when discussing the proposal to return the appointment authority of the DNR secretary to the DNR board of directors. For 14 years he never wavered. Not as attorney general nor as a candidate for governor. Never, that is, until it mattered.
When it mattered he changed his mind and, to the amazement of the Wildlife Federation, Jim Doyle vetoed the bill that would have placed the appointment process back with the DNR board. (What is a little inconsistency? Can't you take a joke?)
Now most of us know that conditions are fluid in politics. Things change, and we often wince when an incumbent votes "the wrong way." We know we can't keep candidates tethered to campaign promises. They are, after all, free to vote their conscience. We would have it no other way. But there are some votes/actions that go to the very heart of the electoral process. Actions that undermine confidence in the party system. Former DNR secretary and Wildlife Federation president George Meyer said Doyle's veto was a "great disappointment." You said it, George.
Governor-Mayor: If Tom Barrett is elected governor a new mayor of Milwaukee could find himself or herself facing the challenge of running the school system in Milwaukee. If, and it is a big if, the Legislature caves to Doyle/Duncan pressure and sells our independence for an unspecified amount of federal dollars, Barrett might regret his decision to support the Doyle-Duncan plan.
Bill Kraus often talks about the law of unintended consequences. Think about this. If the Legislature gives the green light to mayoral control of Milwaukee schools, voters who care deeply about MPS might decide to defeat Barrett's bid to become governor in order to put him in charge of MPS. Imagine if Barrett wins and Walker then runs for mayor with big bucks from WMC. Yikes!
And how will gubernatorial candidate Barrett respond to this question: Mayor Barrett, why is an elected school board bad for Milwaukee but good for Madison, Racine, Kenosha? Or should all schools be run by mayors? As governor, what will your educational philosophy be?
post a letter about this blog »
Why not let the Governor appoint representatives and senators and let the President appoint the governors. What the hell.
-Kathleen Hart | Greendale, WI | November 17, 2009
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