At last night’s monthly meeting of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party, I had the opportunity to hear Democratic State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, who has declared herself a candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, addressed a standing room only crowd.
After Sen. Vinehout made her remarks, I had an opportunity to speak for a few moments with her, and I wanted to share my first impressions of Sen. Vinehout.
- Though Sen. Vinehout’s prepared remarks started out slowly – she seemed visibly nervous – once she hit her stride her passion became evident. Sen. Vinehout talked about her background as a college professor and a dairy farmer, and she noted she was the only incumbent State Senator from a swing district to win reelection in 2010.
- During her remarks Sen. Vinehout made it clear that if elected she would work to restore collective bargaining rights for public employees through a stand-alone piece of legislation. Sen. Vinehout acknowledged that the biennial state budget process could also be a means to restore collective bargaining for public employees, but she pointed out that Republicans opposed to restoring collective bargaining could simply delay passage of a new budget, which would keep in place the current collective bargaining-free budget passed by the Republican-controlled legislature.
- Sen. Vinehout’s speech also hit heavily on populist and progressive themes. She made more than one mention of progressive icon “Fighting Bob” La Follette, and she made it clear that she believes Wisconsi needs a leader who will “respect the will of the people, listen to the will of the people, and do the will of the people.”
- Two of my favorite lines from Sen. Vinehout’s remarks were, “We can choose leaders who put the relentless pursuit of the common good above all else” and “If you don’t like the influence of money in politics, choose the candidate without money, and if you don’t like politics as usual, then support the unusual candidate.”
Having never met or heard Sen. Kathleen Vinehout speak before Monday night, I have to admit I was impressed by her passion, her folksy charm, and her populist appeal, and while I may not agree with her positions on every issue, her candidacy certainly seems to merit a closer look.
This is from my Facebook friend and winter soldier Yon Yonson:
“Today while patrolling the corridors of the Capitol in my Vets for Peace vest and my protest sign, I had a real cool experience. A woman came around the corner and threw her arm and my shoulders and I looked up at her and said ‘You’re Kathleen,’ and she smiled and said ‘Yes, I am Kathleen Vinehout.’ I stumbled over my words and she said ‘Thank you for not giving up’ and she was gone just as fast as she arrived. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it.”
Here’s what I think:
Someone else a few days ago told how after a hearing on wetlands, Vinehout gave them a plastic rubber ducky. She’s smart and has a real human touch and can appeal to moderates. I hope she gets a good shot at being our nominee so we can begin healing Wisconsin so that all citizens feel they are being heard and their concerns are fairly addressed.
I don’t have issues with Falk on the issues, but too many Wisconsinites do and see her as far left and in the tank for unions. We’ve got a lot of educating to do about workers’ rights and leveling the playing field for the 99%. It’s too bad the mainstream media have little interest in helping inform people.
Too Bill and Zac, I agree with your impressions of Kathleen Vinehout. She has been a huge help to the people in Western WI, who recieve all our local broadcasting from MN. She has gone above and beyond her duties as a Senator for her own district. I have heard her speak a few times and have found she captures your attention with her intelligence, deep emotion, and empathatic way of reaching a deep chord with every person in the room. If you go on u-tube you can find several of her speeches that were recorded in the River Falls area by http://youtu.be/PR-nZ-j6hKQ His videos are under Atbl1TV there are several of them. They would be a good way for people from the Madison area to learn a little bit about Katheleen Vinehout.
I am spam now
Nice to know.
okay so that gets thru but my real comment has been blocked after trying 853 times.
This is lame.
LOL
“853 times”?
Hmmmm. Something about your comment reminds me of EdScan.
Anybody else here read Daily Kos?
Anyway, I usually give up at 852. Guess I’m not persistent enough.
I usually give up at 851…you’ve got the patience of a saint.
I remember sitting with friends at a Democratic post-election party when the Republicans took over the State of Wisconsin. Kathleen Vinehout came in after winning in Eau Claire County and spoke to the media. I was amazed at the adulation shown this lady after so many really good Democrats like Jeff Smith, Kristen Dexter and Pat Krietlow had narrowly lost. After working with Kathleen on a few issues I came to understand why. The lady outworks everybody else. She informs herself on the issues and then informs her constituents like no politician I’ve ever known. Then she writes and presents legislation on the issues that, in the current administration is ignored, even though it presents knowledgeable and practical solutions to the problems addressed. And I think this is her Achilles heel. So many politicians are afraid of being so forthright in speaking to the public and fear even more a politician who won’t compromise principle. Unfortunately much of the public has followed suit.
It strikes me that this is the year for principled politicians that people don’t see as “connected”.
Governor Kathleen Vinehout has a nice ring to it.
So does State Senator Lori Compas.
Yeah, I think folks are really tired of “consummate insiders” who’ll say anything to get elected, regardless of whether the candidates actually believe what they’re saying or not.
I want some authenticity in my candidates.