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Capital Times endorses Lori Compas for Senate

Lisa Mux — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:24:49 +0000

The Capital Times has just endorsed Lori Compas for Wisconsin Senate over Republican incumbent Scott Fitzgerald. The endorsement is eloquently written and deserves to be read in its entirety (click here) but here are a few snippets from the editorial:

Compas would serve as a citizen-legislator. She is no careerist. She wants to fix things in Madison. And her approach is as practical as it is refreshing. She has the right priorities — respect for the essential role that public education and public services play in maintaining her district’s small towns and rural areas. But, just as importantly, she has the right style.

She is savvy, organized and passionate about serving as an independent and accountable legislator. Her election would not just remove an inept and irresponsible legislator from the Capitol. It would strike a blow against Walkerism and begin the process of healing Wisconsin.

Lori Compas has our enthusiastic endorsement. She is ready to serve, and she would serve the 13th District with a level of distinction far greater than Fitzgerald has mustered — or could be expected to muster in the future.

Lori Compas will debate Senator Fitzgerald Wednesday evening, 5/23/12, at 7pm, Jefferson High School Auditorium (700 W. Milwaukee St, Jefferson, WI). Due to construction at the High School, enter the auditorium on South Taft Street (thanks for the tip, John Foust!).

WFAW 940 will air the debate live, or you can listen online.

Go, Lori, go!

Wisconsin cannot afford TWO Tea Party politicians in the Senate

Lisa Mux — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:20:30 +0000

While many of us have been laser-focused on the upcoming recall election, Senator Ron Johnson has been busy making bizarre statements. But Johnson is not the only Republican making absurd declarations. Tommy Thompson, Eric Hovde, and Mark Neumann have all been hard at work trying to out-Tea-Party one another in the race for U.S. Senate. Yet yesterday Mark Neumann sent out an attack against Tammy Baldwin (D) claiming that she “eats, sleeps, and breathes radicalism.” Despite intense focus on the recall, this behavior has not gone unnoticed.

After saying that liberals dominate the media and thanking God for Rush Limbaugh, Ron Johnson recently claimed that without talk radio hosts like Charlie Sykes, Vicki McKenna and Mark Belling, conservatives “wouldn’t have a chance” in Wisconsin.

Johnson also said that liberals are “an uncivil bunch, a humorless bunch” and that liberals’ “number one tactic is to demonize people.”

It’s like Ron Johnson lives in a perpetual opposites day.

Did Johnson miss the “Divide and Conquer” video in which Walker tells billionaire donor Diane Hendricks that in order to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state he would employ a “divide a conquer” strategy? Did Johnson not realize that it was his own party, the Wisconsin GOP, that demonized Wisconsin teachers to drive a wedge between public and private sector employees in order to score political points?

Johnson’s comments are hard to take.

Equally hard to take is that Tommy Thompson wants to repeal Health Care Reform, that Eric Hovde seems to want to eliminate the entire federal government, and that Mark Neumann is attacking Tammy Baldwin for being a “radical leftist” because she stood with Wisconsinites who didn’t want to lose collective bargaining rights.

So while we work diligently on the recall election, it would behoove us to multitask and continue to keep an eye on the Senate race. Because we cannot afford to have TWO Tea Party politicians representing us in the Senate.

I stand with Tammy Baldwin

Lori Compas launches “Vote Your Values Tour” [Updated-new debate venue]

Lisa Mux — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:31:01 +0000

Lori Compas kicks off her “Vote Your Values Tour” this weekend! Here is Compas’ statement about the event:

As I meet people around the district, I’m impressed by the respectful conversations we can have when we step away from the political ads and simply talk to each other. No matter where we stand on the issues, we can all agree that our values-traditional Wisconsin values-include honesty, hard work, compassion, and fairness. I’m looking forward to discussing how our policies can better reflect these values as we move forward.

This is exactly why I’m organizing a “Vote Your Values” tour across the 13th Senate District.

It’s time to move past the divisiveness of the past year.

Our volunteers and I decided it would be a good idea to invite everyone, regardless of their political views, to come together and celebrate all we have in common. Volunteers have planned live music and refreshments at these family friendly events.

Tour Details:

SATURDAY MAY 19^th

10:30 a.m. Deerfield

Fireman’s Park- Corner of Nelson and Grand (Rain: Deerfield Library -12 W Nelson)

12:00 p.m. Lake Mills

Commons Park – Band Shelter – Town Square Main Street and Madison (Rain or Shine)

1:30 Oconomowoc

Riverside Park- Corner of Harding and Cherry (Rain or Shine)

3:30 Watertown

924 Labaree St. (private residence near Riverside Park)

SUNDAY MAY 20^th

12:00 Fort Atkinson

Ralph Park on N. High St. (Rain or Shine)

2:00 Columbus

159 East James Street – outside Compas Campaign Office (inside if rain)

3:30 Horicon

IAM Local Lodge 873- 258 Barstow St. (outside if sun and inside if rain)

5:00 Beaver Dam

Lakeview Park- corner of Burnett and Mary (Compas HQ 116 Monroe if rain).

Click here to donate to or volunteer for the Compas campaign.

And please stay tuned for more info about the Compas/Fitzgerald debate on May 23rd. The event may be moved to a larger venue. UPDATED 5/18 @ 8:15pm- New venue: Jefferson Senior High School Auditorium. For additional information regarding the debate click here.

Go, Lori, go!

I Stand With Compas!

Jim Ward (D) turns in double the signatures necessary to challenge Mary Lazich (R)

Lisa Mux — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:40:20 +0000

For the first time in 8 long years, voters in the 28th Senate District will have a choice at the polls this November. That’s because today Jim Ward (D) turned in to the GAB more than double the necessary signatures required to run against Mary Lazich (R).

You can find out more about Jim Ward via his website, wardforstatesenate.com or his Facebook page, Jim Ward for State Senate. He’s also on twitter, @Wardstatesenate.

Congrats, Jim!

Breaking News: Scott Fitzgerald to debate Lori Compas (not her husband) [Updated 5/18-new venue]

Lisa Mux — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:20:10 +0000

According to a Compas campaign staffer, Scott Fitzgerald has just accepted the challenge to debate Lori Compas. This event is open to the public.

Details:

Date: May 23rd

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: ~~Fort Community Credit Union, 100 W. Main Street (3rd floor)~~, Jefferson Senior High School Auditorium, Jefferson, Wisconsin. Additional info, click here.

Mahlon Mitchell: Truth over politics

Lisa Mux — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:17:25 +0000

As a firefighter of fifteen years, Mahlon Mitchell can handle anything that is thrown his way. That was evident last Sunday when Mitchell faced current Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch on ‘Upfront with Mike Gousha.’ Despite Kleefisch’s incessant interruptions and condescending attitude, Mahlon Mitchell remained calm. I spoke with Mitchell on Wednesday afternoon to get his assessment of the debate, hear his thoughts on the Professional Firefighters of Milwaukee Association’s recent endorsement of Rebecca Kleefisch, and to get an update on the status of his campaign for Lt. Governor of Wisconsin.

Mitchell agreed that Kleefisch did interrupt him many times during Sunday’s debate but he remained calm because, he said, while he doesn’t respect Rebecca Kleefisch’s positions on pretty much anything, “I do respect the office of Lt. Governor…and I wanted to show her that respect…and I’ll continue to do that.”

When asked what he thought of her statement that under the Walker/Kleefisch administration, 15,600 private sector jobs were created (instead of the truth-that we lost over 4,000 private sector jobs) Mitchell replied, “She was wrong about the job numbers. Of course, they (Republicans) never own up to the job losses. I’ll bet if the Bureau of Labor Statistic would have come back with positive job numbers and job increases, I’ll bet they would have taken them and run with them. Politics is one thing, telling the truth is another. People don’t even tell the truth any more…and I just don’t agree with that.”

Regarding the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association’s endorsement of Rebecca Kleefisch, Mahlon told me he was not surprised or concerned about it. “They are the ones who stood with Walker. They are also not my association. I represent all 57 communities in our state and over 3000 firefighters, I represent all career firefighters except for Milwaukee. They’re the only ones that are not in our association…They’re on an island by themselves and that’s their choice, but I think in the end they’ll realize they made the wrong decision…it’s their leadership, I wouldn’t say it’s their entire membership, but it’s their leadership making that call,” said Mitchell.

Further, “You would think after they saw the ‘Divide and Conquer’ video where Walker was taking to his billionaire buddy, Diane Hendricks, that they would realize that’s exactly what they’re trying to do to this state…but they haven’t woken up yet.”

I wondered aloud why Lt. Governor Kleefisch was so excited to be endorsed by a union, since she and Walker have been so outspoken against unions? Wasn’t she just, as Sly had suggested, using the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association as a prop?

Mitchell responded, “She’s happy about any endorsement, and it shows you their ‘divide and conquer’ tactic has no boundaries. Anyone who’s willing to get behind them and give them money right now, they’re desperate, and they’ll take it. If you look at her press release it says ‘we appreciate the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters’ bravery and their dedication to the community.’ Well, every firefighter in the state is brave and is dedicated to the community, it’s not just Milwaukee firefighters because they endorsed her…

They do the same job that I do; maybe their political views are different, but at the end of the day, their rank and file membership does the exact same job that our rank and file membership does, so I applaud all firefighters in our state… Just because their leadership has a difference of opinion on politics, it still comes down to one thing and that is that as a firefighter it’s about serving and protecting our communities and Milwaukee firefighters do that.”

As more and more Wisconsinites find out exactly who Mahlon Mitchell is, both personally and professionally, support for his campaign increases. But Mitchell noted that, “While we’re running in unison with the Tom Barrett campaign, we do have to do our own fundraising, we cannot intermingle funds,” and so “we’re always accepting donations.” Mitchell encourages people to visit his website, mahlonmitchell.com. Bumper stickers, buttons, etc. can also be purchased from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s website.

Go, Mahlon, go!

Rep. Kapenga at Delafield Town Hall: Right-to-work legislation “ready to go” in Wisconsin

Lisa Mux — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:34:29 +0000

Republicans Jim Sensenbrenner and Chris Kapenga held a listening session on Monday night in politically conservative Delafield, Wisconsin; statements made at that meeting left some Waukesha County residents stunned. According to two attendees, Representative Chris Kapenga openly admitted that the GOP has plans to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state and that they’re just waiting for a politically opportune time.

According to Waukesha County resident Leanne Wied-Brusky, when a Town Hall attendee who seemed in favor of right-to-work legislation expressed discontent over the delay in implementation, Kapenga responded, ”We have right-to-work legislation in (three) different offices ready to go. If we had done it earlier, when we wanted, then Prosser would not have been elected. Right now is not the right time. We have to wait until it is politically feasible.”

Dave Heaster, also at the meeting, confirmed Kapenga’s statement and said he also heard him say, “…if we did it now, we’d be burning political capital, and we just don’t have excess capital to burn now.”

Heaster, who has filed the paperwork necessary to run against Sensenbrenner, told me that he “wasn’t surprised to hear that they were planning it in secret” but that what shocked him is “that this seemingly young guy, Kapenga, was stupid enough to tell us all about it!” Heaster added, “But then again, I’ve always said that if the people don’t bring down Walker, his own stupidity will!”

Unsurprisingly, Wied- Brusky said that after Kapenga made those shocking comments, Jim Sensenbrenner “did not look happy” and “tried to end the session.”

Funny how the truth seems to come out only when the Republicans think they’re in politically “safe” territory, and with huge gaffes like this one.

Added Heaster, “It’s funny – but more so, it shows how if we allow the Republicans to continue down this right-to-work vision, we are going to become a 3rd world nation.”

Agreed.

5/12, Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Wisconsin GOP: It’s 2012, and women VOTE

Lisa Mux — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:53:11 +0000

It’s probably not smart political strategy for a male politician to make misogynistic comments about his female challenger a few weeks before his recall election. But that’s exactly what Republican Senator Scott Fitzgerald did on Saturday. According to Clay Barbour, Wisconsin State Journal, Fitzgerald had this to say about his opponent:

For the record, Fitzgerald said he doesn’t buy Compas’ Pollyanna image. He knows some people are painting the race as a David-vs.-Goliath contest. But Fitzgerald said he thinks her husband is one of the main forces behind her campaign, as well as unions and protest groups.

“I don’t for one minute believe she is the organizing force behind this whole thing,” he said.

Seriously?!

But, true to form, Lori Compas, after recovering from the initial shock of those ridiculous statements, responded with dignity, grace, and fire:

“That is pretty insulting, but it does seem in keeping with his general views on women,” she said. “He doesn’t seem to have a lot of respect for them. That’s OK; he can keep underestimating me.”

Compas said that if Fitzgerald really doubts she is a serious candidate, he should accept her invitation to debate. “I have challenged him to five debates,” she said. “If he thinks I can’t handle myself, he should come out and face me.”

If you’d like to volunteer for or donate to Lori Compas’ campaign, please visit her website, loricompas.org, or click on Blogging Blue’s Act Blue Twelve in ’12 donation link.

And if you believe that women are equal to men and should be treated as such, and you’re eligible to vote in District 13, VOTE for Lori Compas on June 5, 2012.

#WaukeshaWatch: A front row seat to political theater

Lisa Mux — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:14:53 +0000

Last night, fortified by Thin Mints and a Snickers bar, Jeff Christensen assumed his position at the Waukesha County Courthouse as part of our plan to keep tabs on Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus. Turns out, the process was slow but smooth, as Waukesha has finally caught up to 1995. While the process itself was mundane, the “internal spat” was anything but, and Christensen had a front row seat to political theater.

As Steve Chamraz from TMJ4 reported, Nickolaus “was supposed to hand off her election duties to her deputy clerk, after mangling the results of two elections,” but she “appeared to be very much in charge of the count last night.” Chamraz and some other members of traditional media were surprised to see Nickolaus at the Courthouse at all. (Guess they don’t read Blogging Blue.)

But Christensen does read Blogging Blue, and he was through security and ready to tweet using the hashtag #WaukeshaWatch by 7:45pm. He kept us entertained by providing pictures of the Courthouse and his delicious theater snacks until things picked up (you can access Jeff’s original tweets here-he’s @demjeff on twitter.)

Conservative blogger @jwigderson showed up and finally delivered my girl scout cookies! #waukeshawatch (8:13pm)

Then it was down to business:

The clerks office isn’t playing too friendly with the media. They are letting them take video, but not answering ?s yet. #waukeshawatch (8:31pm)

No results yet and the Clerk’s office is directing everyone to their website; which has no results. #waukeshawatch (8:44pm)

Kathy Nickolaus appeared before the media & claimed all is “going smoothly”. No results yet. #waukeshawatch (8:57pm)

Results trickle in…

21% of the county is in. Gladys Huber has carried 49 of the 7581 votes for GOV. #waukeshawatch (9:02pm)

Some GOP cross-over in the data as Weix has 5k of the 12K for LG. Mahlon with almost 4K. #waukeshawatch (9:05pm)

Another tweet about snacks:

Things often go slow in Waukesha County. I’m prepared in case I have to be here for awhile. #waukeshawatch (9:09pm)

Lori Compas clears fake Dem hurdle, moves forward

Lisa Mux — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:15:20 +0000

After handily defeating fake Democrat, Gary Ellerman, in the primary election today, Lori Compas looks forward to getting down to the business of beating Scott Fitzgerald (R) in the general election on June 5. From the Compas campaign:

Compas Wins Primary Against Fake Candidate

Moves on to Challenge Scott Fitzgerald

FORT ATKINSON, WI – Lori Compas claimed an overwhelming victory across the 13^th Senate District against fake candidate Gary Ellerman of Lake Mills.

Compas, a Fort Atkinson small business owner, now moves on to unseat Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald.

“I’m humbled by the widespread support I have received across our district,” Compas said. “I look forward to moving past the distraction of these fake candidates and getting back to listening to the concerns of the citizens in our communities.”

Compas noted that her widespread network of hundreds of grassroots volunteers has been contacting tens of thousands of voters district-wide, spreading her message of job creation and open, honest government. Compas has also been meeting with community leaders and going door to door alongside the volunteers.

“As I continue meeting with business owners, local elected officials and residents across the district, one thing is clear,” Compas said. “Whether or not you agree with Scott Fitzgerald’s views, his divisive behavior has stopped our government from focusing on job creation. I look forward to getting Wisconsin back on track.”

The General Election between Fitzgerald and Compas is slated for June 5th.

If you’d like to volunteer to help Compas defeat Fitzgerald, check out her website, loricompas.org. You can also donate to her campaign right here on Blogging Blue by clicking “Donate to our Twelve in ’12.”

Go, Lori, go!

Forward, indeed