In a preview of her appearance on UpFront with Mike Gousha, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke was asked if restoring collective bargaining rights would be a priority for her if elected.
Burke’s response was a non-answer, with Burke saying her priority would be, “[T]o attract and retain a qualified, committed workforce you know…that has a voice in our decisions but also that’s accountable for how we move forward.” Pressed further by Gousha if restoring collective bargaining would be a priority, Burke again said, “A priority is certainly having a qualified and committed workforce.”
First of all, it’s more than a little bothersome that when asked a direct question (twice no less), Mary Burke couldn’t give a direct answer, instead resorting to talking points that very clearly didn’t answer the question. What’s more, Burke’s non-answer seemed (to me) to assert that prior to Act 10 public employees weren’t accountable, a fact that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Ultimately, it seems pretty clear Mary Burke’s handlers are pulling a page out of the Ron Johnson playbook by having her offer up non-answers as much as possible when asked questions on policy and issues, and I’m not the only one who’s noticed.
Thanks Zach.
Time for me to explore ways to send Vinehout some money.
There’s no denying that Sen. Vinehout’s positions on Castle Doctrine/CC and a woman’s right to choose give me pause, but on the one issue that affects my family most directly, I know unambiguously where she stands.
John C,
Have blown my political budget for the rest of the year with that one already. Anything is a plus toward urging her to run come January. Even just an email message.
@Zachary, Trying to be very direct and loud, locally, working toward ousting our R State Assembly sell-out to absolute party loyalty to address the specific issues you mentioned. He’s a small business owner voting squarely in his own interests in refusing equal pay for women, for starters.
As an aside, Lee S Dreyfus RIP, had a signature piece of clothing. I hope Burke doesn’t have a closet full of only red blazers. Maybe those represent her true colors. Thinking maybe rainbow coalition in the wardrobe dept more suited, pun intended. Brickerman fashion advice?
Possible proof the DPW is following closely the state D leaning blogs, they updated their web site and removed Brickerman, Jake Hajdu is new executive director. Commented on that last Friday, iirc.
Just as important as candidates, AB 54 restricting voter access and similar c.r.a.p (continuing republican access prevention) between now and the gubernatorial are also crucial to positive outcomes.
John, I’ll make it easy for you. If you’d like to donate to Sen. Vinehout, simply click this link to make a secure donation through ActBlue.
I dislike the piling on Burke for the white noise type issues. I agree though that this is substantive and she mostly blew it. The middle ground isn’t a non-answer but rather something like, “In the midst of the of the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression, Scott Walker prioritized stripping public employees of their dignity ahead of growing jobs. As Governor I will work with the Legislature to restore worker rights, I will focus on creating jobs for Wisconsin’s graduates and families, and I will work tirelessly to build a strong state economy to fuel business success.” She has a clear advantage to position herself as an experienced, educated, and focused business professional (the adult in the room, if you will) versus an extreme ideologue whose policies are failing Wisconsin families and slowing recovery. Hope she uses it soon.
Yes Burke handled herself well, but I heard nothing in the way of specifics about anything. She is seeming a little more at ease in front of the camera. My synopsis of the interview: She claims generic widespread appeal, problem solver, can be leader, grandfathered (literally) in as authentic WI citizen, moving education forward (? my initial pick as a point to watch for) she will work hard and balance the budget.
Under the time constraints of an interview, I don’t suppose we can expect much detail as to policies in such a venue, this was meant largely as an early introduction to voters.
Could you please elaborate on your definition of which are the white noise issues? Would be helpful in this discussion.
Agree with you on the generic tone. She didn’t do badly but she missed an opportunity to own the labor conversation rather than avoid it. They have 13 months to change Walker’s narrative and build the business case for worker rights. Hope she tries. The piling on is a reference to the immediate reaction from Progressives across blogs, sites, Twitter, etc. This has been documented elsewhere by Paul Fanlund. However, white noise is my name for the nit-picking by some people (Steve Carlson, John Casper) who focus on bio’s, that horrible Uline, whether supporters appear in an interview, how Burke parts her hair, whether she walks her dog long enough each day, etc. I exaggerate of course. John brings up good points in his posts and Steve is the embodiment of why old white men aren’t all freakin’ nuts (I may spend too much time still on Salon) – he had the patience and decency to try to show someone how to think on a terrible prejudice differently. I hope Burke brings an A game. I’m genuinely worried that Vinehout can’t separate her personal faith from governing. I know it seems like a single issue to many of you but the end game for Republicans is far beyond ending access to contraception and diminishing women’s healthcare.
Emma, I don’t think the Uline gaffe is “white noise,” simply because it goes to her credibility as a candidate. That was an easily discoverable gaffe on her part, and given the “professionals” that are running her campaign it’s disconcerting.
White noise is anything Emma doesn’t like.
Forgot to ask about where anyone was piling on, thought most of the discussions have been polite and following the aforementioned needed due diligence that had been requested of the, “old white men.” 😉
Okay, Mary Burke has announced her candidacy. She is an unknown to a vast majority. Who is she? What is she about? Why should I support her rather than Senator Vinehout?
Right you are, Zach. My impression is that Burke’s backing by Wisconsin DNC leadership is, in no small part, to negate the “Union Thug” label. It’s not the way I would prefer it as stated many times. But it is what it is.
I think this post nails it right on the money…yes that was a word pun… As a progressive I refuse to vote for Burke in the primary. We are fighting for over 90 years of hard fought labor rights in our state and you have the front running democrat hesitant on this issue? That’s not disappointing it is utterly shameful. And since when do Dems shop around for millionaires to run for office? What we need to be shopping for is a REAL progressive candidate with a REAL vision for the future of the state that people can rally around. Does anyone honestly believe that if Burke wins she would be the person calling the shots? Does she have a message of REAL IDEAS and REAL principles that she will fight for as governor? Honestly, i can’t think of one substantive idea she has for the future of the state. The only thing I hear from her campaign is “Vote Burke-She Can Buy This Election”. Nice try. Without vision, the people perish…