Ahem. Didn't Walker's cuts in state aid put that budget in need of balancing?

"Scott Walker punched me in the nose, but at least he gave me a rag to stop the bleeding."

State Fair isn't until after the election. Any other events before June, where he can get beat up so he has his arm in a bandage?

At least Barrett is a mensch, which is extremely doubtful about Walker.

Let's not jump the gun here. We've got a whole lot of intraparty jousting and jabbing to look forward to before the big event. If we're gonna have this thing we might as well enjoy the conundrum the Dems will have created for themselves on the road to likely defeat.

You got that right! Except for the "raise my taxes for government unions' crowd, this Barrett has to be a two time loser.

@mau
Shame on you. Even for a TeaGOP, it is beyond the pale.

,,,,,,,,,,,,

mau

7:41 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012

State Fair isn't until after the election. Any other events before June, where he can get beat up so he has his arm in a bandage?

Racine Journal Times
April 2, 2012
Local Section
Associated Press, Madison
Surprise contestant, Barrett's announcement shakes up recall election

"He also became a hero to many in 2009, when he was brutally attacked by a man with a tire iron after trying to intervene in an argument the man was having with a woman."

F.Y.I breny is not a big leffty, that's what he keep saying as he rips non stop on anything to right of Stalin!

greg, I'd support Sen. Schultz if he ran, or any moderate Republican. I'm a moderate. Balance is good.

I've meet with both Barrett and Walker as well, but I come to the opposite conclusion.

I've meet Barrett (as part of a group) more than a few times regarding things pertaining to the zoo, and find him likeable in general, but not transparent. In addition, behind the scenes his language and demeanor are totally different. But he plays the crowd well, and that seems to have worked for him. That's all I will say about that.

Walker -- although I personally have had limited contact -- is the same in person as he is behind the scenes, in my opinion. I have a number of relatives on Milwaukee County payroll as well as in Madison that work with either the Governor or his office who pretty much say the same thing. The issue for people who do oppose him isn't his so much personality, but that his convictions aren't what they agree with. And in this polarized environment that will be the case, regardless of who is in office.

The best platform, I believe, is one that comes close to that of Al Mulally's (CEO of Ford) motto when dealing with the unions after they nearly broke several big corporations (paraphrased): Prosperity for ALL.

Emphasis on "ALL."

@Luke - This just out 23 hrs. ago regarding your fawning adoration of Mullaly in your last paragraph:
(CBS/AP) DEARBORN, Mich. — The pay package for Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford Motor Co. (F), rose 11 percent last year to $29.5 million.
Mulally earned $2 million in salary, up 43 percent from 2010, and stock awards valued at $13.9 million, up 86 percent from the prior year. But his performance bonus dropped 42 percent to $1.8 million because Ford fell short of market share and quality targets in some areas.

Ford's U.S. quality ratings were tarnished last year by glitches in its touch-screen dashboard systems and shifting problems in some automatic transmissions. And while it gained market share in Europe, its share was flat in other markets.

Mulally also received $612,587 in perks and other compensation for things like the use of a private jet, a personal car and driver and security.

The pay package was Mulally's highest since 2006, when he was hired to turn around the company. Mulally made $39.1 million that year thanks to a performance bonus and compensation for leaving his former employer, Boeing Co.

Mulally's pay - which put him among the highest-paid CEOs in the U.S. last year when he made $26.5 million - has angered some Ford factory workers. United Auto Workers President Bob King has called his compensation level "morally wrong."

@Dirk Gutzmiller

Wow, you mean to say that a Union leader said something bad about a CEO of an auto company. STOP THE PRESSES!

@Luke - You either get the point about Ford CEO Mulally and pretend to ignore it, or you totally miss the obvious point, affecting your credibility..
You quote him about "Prosperity for All", yet his pay is up and incredible, one of the highest paid execs in the country, yet Ford sales are flat, and labor thinks he is immoral. Your quoting him really falls flat.
He seems like one of those "slogan of the month" execs a lot of us have to endure in the workplace. Should be "Prosperity for Mulally, if you get rid of me I will be even richer with my platinum parachute."

@Dirk,

Actually, I thought the "point" was laughable, so I didn't comment. But I will briefly comment now.

First of all, I don't think what he is paid is too high or too low. Whatever it takes to keep him is at least worth considering. He really has wanted to retire, but is hanging around to get the transition team in order.

Having said that, your only other point is that sales are flat. True. So why is he still so respected? Prior to 2000, the Ford family leaders at Ford realized that they could not manage the company. They searched the country for someone with the skill to run a manufacturing company that wanted to be known as a technology company, and also someone who had experience turning a company around. They found their guy at Boeing, and begged Al to come.

Since then, Al has reorganized the company, saving it from bankruptcy due to union greed and economic downturn. All that was done without borrowing money from the federal government.

So, as far as I can understand, your only other point is that sales are flat?? Since you insist, I will tell you that sales are flat because a big portion of Ford's sales come from Europe, where the Greek public union sector greed has thrown the entire region into a recession. The BOD at Ford understands the balance sheets and the marketing obstacles that exist in the present global environment, and they are, therefore, quite pleased to keep him on as long as possible.

Prosperity for ALL.

Hey Bren, Let me guess, you are a public school math teacher who also dabbles in poli sci. You wrote: "Clearly nearly half of the state wanted Barrett, and that should have been a signal that a moderate approach would have been most effective" Uh huh...Ya. Majority rules, dude. But in your world, even if the lefties lose they win? Just think, a few more bused in voters and "smokes for votes" and you could have stolen the election outright. Instead we read your whines that the election was close enough so your leftie friends get a seat at the table. Your folks must have given you too many "high-fives" or peeing IN the toilet not ON the seat.

Joe, no to the math teacher career but thanks for the compliment. Based on your comments you have a few other facts wrong as well. Independent research is good.

How is he mean? He did his job! State constitution says we need a balanced budget. What is your proposal? Raise taxes?!

You sound like a two year old "he is mean".

Well, everyone needs a hero for inspiration...

Unfortunately I'm less than inspired by illegally firing public workers and cancelling signed contracts that cost Milwaukee County nearly a million dollars. I'm less than inspired by a man who tried to fire the landscape artist from the Domes because he apparently didn't understand how the show dome sells admission tickets. I'm less than inspired by a man who would show up at events talking up arts and education then turning around and slashes the county arts program. I'm less than inspired by a man who surrounds himself with people who seem to think they are above Open Records law and arrogantly set up a private email system in the County Executive's offices (taking a page from the George W. Bush administration).

Yes Pam, everyone needs a hero...

Yeah Pam - you must be part of the John Doe investigation!! You are all about jobs - then how come Walker has the worst job growth in the country? I mean like a mjor loss in jobs!!! As a 50+ WI resident - you must have swalloed so much chees that you think Walkers BS is just some Hard Cheddar - when it is ALL Manure!! Compliments of the Koch Brothers - who bought the state along with Walker and the Fitzgerald Clan - All Thieves!!

nothings stopping you...

Walker collecting money out of state is 100% legal since this unwarranted recall is happening. The lefties always throw that at Walker, but what about all the union money the crybabies collect from outside the state? I also beg to differ in the claim that he's polarized the state. Maybe for the few people that have to pay more into THEIR OWN retirement it seems polarizing. However, all the whining and stomping and acting like 4 years olds the democrats have done has galvanized the republicans and independent voters. Do you realize how many teachers actually like what has happened?? I see a bigger margin of victory for Walker. What happens then, another recall?? Thanks for costing our state millions in these stupid recalls. Accept the results of an election and stop whining. YOUR party has been the one to divide the state.

Your bias is showing! My views are as a 50+ lifetime working citizen of Wisconsin concerned about taxes and jobs. Not speaking from a perspective of political bias.

Mike - Afraid we have some commenters on these pages that actually idolize Walker for his being just the way you describe. Like the few percent that go to a Batman movie and root for the Joker, Riddler or Mr. Freeze.

Pudge, you don't seem to be plugged into city government. Tom Barrett has a full schedule.

I'm sure you saw a Conservative cheerleader type encouraging people to write in Scott Walker's name in the Dem primary so he'd be running against himself. This may or may not be legal. It's certainly reprehensible.

Randy1949 -
No, had not seen the Cheerleader. Same Cheerleader for all the Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse signatures on the recall petitions?
The game Friday night at the high school, that is my mental picture. Oh yeah, and one side of the stands has no adult supervision.

It's possible -- they all tend to blur together in my mind. You know, the type that thinks a quick insult is the epitome of wit and that we need Voter ID because the Liberal types are always up to no good.

Well said Dirk.

This GOP led group is costing our 'broke' state millions. He did the same thing at Milwaukee County. Anyone remember how he got rid of security guards and replaced them with private security Wackenhut? It was found that the move was illegal, meaning all the guards had to be re-hired and paid back pay.

I remember when true Republicans had morals and integrity, this group has neither. What bothers me most is that even if he is charged in the John Doe probe there are many that will still back him. If only people could do some research instead of getting all of their info from hate radio. I'm a news junkie, listen and search out all including FOX. I remember Sykes saying the recall pages would be full of Mickey Mouse and Hitler. 5, they found 5. Jeff Wagner never misses a time to call out the climate change believers when it's unusually cold but never utters a word when there are weeks of unusually warm weather across the country or rashes of tornados earlier than ever.

Funny times we live in.

931,000 signatures collected, enough for recall. Actually, 4 fictitious names were found, Fungky Van Den Elzen is actually a Wisconsin woman's real name and the GAB apologized for the mistake. Clark, research is good and recommended.

The recall isn't about whining and crying. All the brouhaha about "fictitious names" (actually 4), Voter ID poll tax (actually 15 convictions in 2008-worth spending $5-$6 million on?), entering fake Democrats to force primaries, this is more about whining and crying (and trying to cheat the system) to me.

Recall Scott Walker.

Actually, the Walker recall effort numbers are as follows: Number of unique records: 860,155 of which 14,287 were signed outside of the date range; 4,636 signatures from out of state signers (vote fraud alert!); 6,035 duplicate signatures (your GAB at work); 35,483 incomplete/indecipherable records; 2,596 potentially fictitious names or signatures (vote fraud alert); and 212,628 questionable signatures (questionable illegible, possibly false mismatched or otherwise compromised signatures). These numbers are based on the efforts of thousands of unpaid volunteers and are the result of the best and most complete analysis done by any group, organization or entity – including the GAB whose job this was to begin with. So I agree, a million my butt! Do the math and it total’s to a mere 548,489 signers, which is a far cry from a million. If the fourth estate did their jobs, every citizen in Wisconsin would know these numbers.

54 year old. Lifelong Wisconsin Resident along with my wife of almost 33 years. Small business owner/operator. I'm with you 100% Tosa.

BRILLIANT!!!!

There are none so blind than those who are bought off by the Koch Brothers!!

And they want to cut educational funding and teacher funding to keep voters dumb and compliant! Pam - there is NO Excuse for supporting Walker as he has done NOTHING but Lie, Cheat and Steal... an indictment can't be far behind!! Just check with Blago!!!

@Tim

Too busy trying to figure out how to cover up previous verbal and financial support of John Thomas for Milwaukee Comptroller.

and this is an issue for you, why?

@ Retard (appropriately named)

Oops - kind of pulled in a poll from 5 weeks ago, bubba... The poll you're referencing was from 2/29.

@retard - try this:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/52_in_wisconsin_support_recall_of_governor_walker

Rasmussen Reports is phony. TIME has described Rasmussen Reports as a "conservative-leaning polling group". According to Charles Franklin, a University of Wisconsin political scientist who co-developed Pollster.com, “He [Rasmussen] polls less favorably for Democrats, and that’s why he’s become a lightning rod." Franklin also said: "It’s clear that his results are typically more Republican than the other person’s results.]

The Center For Public Integrity has claimed that Scott Rasmussen was a paid consultant for the 2004 George W. Bush campaign. The Washington Post reported "... the Bush reelection campaign used a feature on his site that allowed customers to program their own polls. Rasmussen asserted that he never wrote any of the questions or assisted Republicans in any way..." The do-it-yourself polling service is used by Democrats as well as Republicans today through a company that licenses Rasmussen’s methodology.

Rasmussen has received criticism over the wording in its polls. Asking a polling question with different wording can affect the results of the poll; the commentators in question allege that the questions Rasmussen ask in polls are skewed in order to favor a specific response. For instance, when Rasmussen polled whether Republican voters thought Rush Limbaugh was the leader of their party, the specific question they asked was: "Agree or Disagree: 'Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party -- he says jump and they say how high.'"

@Recall Retards

You are looking at an old Rass poll. Support for the recall is GROWING.

YOU are one with the WRONG facts.
See this---direct from the Rass site@

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/52_in_wisconsin_support_recall_of_governor_walker

52% in Wisconsin Support Recall of Governor Walker

Monday, April 02, 2012

A majority of Wisconsin voters now support the effort to recall Republican Governor Scott Walker.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide survey shows that, if the recall election was held today, 52% of Likely Voters would vote to recall Governor Walker and remove him from office. Forty-seven percent (47%) would vote against the recall and let him continue to serve as governor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)...

And? Other than the four years Scott Walker spent working in the private sector for IBM and the Red Cross after NOT graduating from college, he's been a career politician too.

@Sinead -- The money comes from sales taxes, income taxes, and property taxes. In a recession, the first two tend to decrease as people lose jobs and disposable income. That leaves property taxpayers hard hit.

Downward pressure on wages won't help. Pushing the burden down to the local level won't help, no matter how much you go on about 'tools', because if property taxes can't go up, the city just becomes a less attractive place to live -- horrible schools, no garbage collection, no parks, no police and fire when you need them. So who's perpetuating the costly joke?

And when it comes to riding the Whine Wagon, I'd point a finger at the upper income brackets, who complain so loudly about the horrid sacrifice they must make when it comes to income tax.

And Thank you, Sinead -- I was born here, remember how things were in times past, and I recognize BS when someone presents me with a pile of it.