February 20, 2012
Open letter
To: Kathleen Falk, Kathleen Vinehout, Doug La Follette, and (apparently) Tom Barrett. (If someone else runs, he or she will be added to the list)
From: Ed Garvey & Fighting Bob.com.
Subject: Tin Cup Brigade vs. old-fashioned money raising.
Why an open letter? Because you have decided to seek the top job in Wisconsin and we need to know you better. We were fooled by Walker. Once is enough.
I hope this is just the beginning of a discussion about Wisconsin's future. We don't have much time so let's get started.
As gubernatorial candidates, you have a wonderful opportunity to share your life's experiences and your vision with millions of people who were once proud of our state but who have lost confidence in our state government. We have lost confidence in part because of questionable leadership, but mostly because of the dominate role of money in politics.
Few believe that justice can be served when members of our Supreme Court refuse to clean up their campaigns. I doubt that any of you believes that Justice Gableman deserves to be seated having lied in a TV spot about his opponent; a TV spot that reminds us of Willie Horton. Tell us your view.
We were astounded that a law firm would represent a justice at no cost while he was sitting in judgment in cases where that same law firm represented clients. Recusal? Of course! What would you do to rectify this?
Did Justice Prosser choke Justice Bradley? He should be asked, under oath. And if he did, off to anger management rehab for him. We expect you to ask.
Thus our disappointment with our state begins at the very top, the Supreme Court, but that is just the start.
One more point. Did Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce in essence purchase the Supreme Court with millions of dollars in campaign contributions? We hope you will ask for an independent investigation and demand that contributions to Supreme Court races be prohibited.
Here is the big Kahuna. Will you join with us in demanding that corporations, unions, Super PACs and lesser PACs stop all contributions. Will you join the "Tin Cup Brigade" to motivate the 1.1 million recall signers to get out the vote so people power can top money power?
Saturday I spoke at a "mini-Bob Fest" in Mazomanie; a month ago at the People's Legislature; last September at Fighting Bob Fest; last May in Chippewa at Bob Fest North. Something has happened and I think it is profound. There is an enthusiasm level I have not felt since Bobby Kennedy ran for president. The electorate is awake, alive and ready for battle. Will you join us or will you opt for taking a tin cup around begging for money?
Hot news: You cannot raise enough money to dent Koch's fender, but if 30,000 canvassers turn to a vigorous get-out-the-vote campaign this race can be won.
We are working with lots of groups to give you opportunities to sell your program, your vision, in an open and honest series of forums. Consultants will be nipping at your heels, telling you that we are nuts. You cannot unilaterally disarm; etc., etc., you will lose if you put down the tin cup. Response? You will lose if you spend your time asking Wall Street to fund your campaign. Worse, you will rob us of the enthusiasm of the uprising from last February and March.
We will, of course, post your responses.
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I got the announcement of the Rahm Emanuel fundraiser for Tom Barrett in my mailbox this weekend. Why would a Democratic candidate for Governor bring in a labor-bashing national figure to help him raise funds in this particular campaign season? What a slap in the face to all those Wisconsinites (of all parties) who took to the streets to defend labor rights. Is our "can't find my comfortable shoes" President Obama trying to pick our next Governor for us? Apparently Barrett is comfortable both with Act 10's tools and with anti-first Amendent, anti-teacher Rahm.
-janeofdane | Madison, WI | February 20, 2012
If 30,000 canvassers turn to a vigorous get-out-the-vote campaign this race can be won.
AND if the candidate runs an AGGRESSIVE campaign to fiercely combat Walker's campaign lies, misinformation, lies, innuendo, lies, negative attacks (there will be lots of those) - and did I say lies?
-Dave | Milwaukee, WI | February 20, 2012
Ed,
When I first read your idea about the candidate against Walker refusing money from the SuperPacs, unions, corporations, etc, I thought it was both inspiring and crazy. But the more I think about it the more I think you're right.
With the WEAC endorsement of Kathleen Falk and the Rahm Emanuel fundraiser for Tom Barrett, the spirit of what's happened in Wisconsin over the last year is in danger of being drowned in the same old muck of American politics that got us here in the first place.
Someone has to step forward and try to seize this moment for what it could be: a demonstration that people can still win over money in politics. I think Kathleen Vinehout is positioned to do just that.
She's got enough Russ Feingold in her to take a principled stand. She's not afraid to challenge her own party and not afraid to speak her mind. If she would make this election about the people of Wisconsin and not the corporate cash, I'll pledge to get behind her campaign 101%
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI | February 20, 2012
If I, a petition signer, can convince one person who didn't sign to vote for the democrat candidate,and all of the other signers do the same, we can take our state back.If we get snarled up in our own arguments, we will lose. I will support any of the proposed candidates. I'm not enthralled with all of them, but I'll vote for whoever is the candidate. Is that just a party follower? No, it is a person totally fed up with Walker's assault on our way of life. It is not a reaction to his stripping of collective bargaining. It is realization that he is toxic for our way of life. I would urge no litmus tests for candidates.
-ed hammer | lake tomahawk, wisconsin | February 20, 2012
ed hammer said... "If I, a petition signer, can convince one person who didn't sign to vote for the democrat candidate,and all of the other signers do the same, we can take our state back."
I'm one person who didn't sign. Convince me of why we shouldn't wait until 2014 to elect a new governor. Spell it out for me, if you will. I'm all ears. When you say "we can take our state back," do you plan to take it back by taking it away from citizens like me who didn't sign the recall petition? Why do you feel "your state" has been taken from you?
-Laurence Meade | Madison, Wisconsin | February 21, 2012
Laurence,
What do you think of a state government where there is no longer a system of checks and balance?
How do you feel about a governor who isn't even sworn in who turns down federal money for rail improvements?
Any thoughts about legislation that rushes through the system within days instead of taking weeks or months to work out the details?
What about a governor (and Republican't legislators) who refuses to listen to opposing views but has time for those who funded his campaign?
Is ours a democracy where people vote questionably qualified individuals into office and then not hold them accountable?
Think about it. How do you feel about King George III, the Tories and those terrorists who rebelled against them? Do you think Walker and his cohorts would be on the side of George III or would they support colonial terrorists whom we now call "patriots"?
There are more reasons we need to undo bad electoral choices now than there are to keep these people in office for another 3 years of damage.
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | February 21, 2012
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