Craig is such a parrot for the GOP/Walker caurse.

Other states require registration to be completed several days/weeks before the election. The idea is that it 'weeds out' those who come into state on election day for the purpose of casting a fraudulent vote. Advance registration helps insure that the minimum length of residency requirement will be met.

Fred: When you are able to vote, maybe then I will care about your opinion.

It hasn't been ruled unconstitutional yet. The Supreme court will rule to allow it. Bet on it

KHD want's to go back when KKK ruled...

@KHD

No, smart folks will not bet on it.

The unemployemnt rate in September of 2009 reached its peak in Wisconsin under Doyle at 8.8%. The unemployment rate now under Walker is 6.9% and is a full pertentage point lower than Obama's. Plus, in case you haven't been paying attention, the state has a surplus, while Obama increased the debt by $6 trillion. Walker's plans are working, Obama's are not. I'm much better off for my vote for Walker than you are for your vote for Obama.

Robert Merlin: Does Obama stay home and work for the people of USA, or does he go gallivanting around to Arab Nations on an apology tour? He should be home working on a domestic agenda that gets people to work. Instead, he pushes his soicial agenda down our throats. Ask your HR director about Health insurance rates for next year!
I find it funny that you attack Walker over the issues above, but Obama gets a free ride...
Yet Wisconsin is doing better than the Nation.......
it's completely hypocritical.

Just announced that Wisconsin has the second best unemployment rate for the first three quarters of 2012 in the country!

Bren: Hypothetically; let's pretend you are right about Walker, he is a single digit IQ puppet for {insert label here}...
Even as a moron, he has made Wisconsin better off than the Nation. Wisconsin has a surplus, not an insurmountable debt. Wisconsin's unemployment is lower than the National average. While Walker may have a heavy traveling schedule, he seems to be getting the job done.
In the meantime you have no critisizm of Obama?

Your point is.......

What kinds of things does the governor actually have to do in Madison (as opposed to someplace else) when the legislature is not in session? There aren't any bills to sign, and there aren't any legislators to meet with...

Craig, he has not made Wisconsin better off than the nation, how do you even believe that? He has (with help of special interest strategists) created a poisonous wedge between families and neighbors with the "divide and conquer" strategy, and turned people against the civil service. Thousands of needy people have been cut off from BadgerCare, we have one of the worst jobs records in the U.S., need I go on. There's nothing that Barack Obama has done (other than extend the Bush tax cuts) that comes close to the damaging acrimony that Scott Walker has created.

Cow, there are many activities that Scott Walker could be participating in as governor. The job is not just about signing bills and meeting legislators. Between Walker and Kleefisch we have one 3/4 FTE (I'm 1/2 joking here).

Bren- Where the heck do you get off saying his job record is horrendous? Just today, it was announced by U.S. Labor Department that Wisconsin had the second largest unemployment drop in the country for the first three quarters. Wisconsin has been a constant 1% below your wonderful Obama's since Walker took office. What pipe are you smoking? You obviously showed us you lack any comprehensive skills.

And your wonderful Obama has pitted rich against poor, man against women, and anything he could divide for his own political advantage. His Obamacare alone has already lost thousands of jobs. He goes off to Burma when are staunchest ally is under attack, and once again, he sends in Hillary to clean up his messes. You have been drinking way to much of the MoveOn.org kool-aid Bren.

And hey Bren; "Get over it." Walker won not once but twice. He is your governor so just go on your merry little way and let him do his job.

Please name some of those things, Bren. Particularly those that require him to be in Madison, since you seem to complain every time Walker sets foot outside the city...

Bren- Where was the outrage for Doyle, who had 64 violations for using public funds to travel in which he didn't report.

Read this and you will see that apparently the Governr of Wisconsin, Republican or Democrat, spends a lot of time out of state:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/49943732.html

Brian, I think the efforts at the federal level are to be credited for improvements in the economy. Please drill down through your job numbers source (to which you forgot to link) to determine how many Wisconsinites dropped off the unemployment roles because they ran through the UC course and share.

Concerning Israel/Gaza, are you expecting the President of the United States to head to Israel and hop on a tank? Is a volatile area the best place for a U.S. president? There are devices called smartphones, laptops, and iPads, and the internet, which keep people connected these days, all over the world. And I think the President probably has a private means of communication or two that keep him instantaneously involved. Honestly, with the extra security, etc., I think it's a good idea for Obama not to visit Gaza at this time.

"Get over it." "...let him do his job." I wish he would do his job. Preaching ALEC all around the country and getting his mug in front of cameras as often as possible isn't what I'd call state governance. What is MoveOn.org koolaid?

Cow, most governors are keeping tabs on what's going on in their state on a daily basis. They are traveling the state making presentations, traveling outside the state to promote the state (not themselves and ALEC), jobs, tourism, etc. There's plenty to do for a governor who gives a rip.

Please spare me any uninformed opinions about foreign relations.

Bren- I just love the double standards. Take your first paragraph:

"Brian, I think the efforts at the federal level are to be credited for improvements in the economy. Please drill down through your job numbers source (to which you forgot to link) to determine how many Wisconsinites dropped off the unemployment roles because they ran through the UC course and share."

Now change it to this:

"Bren, I think the efforts at the state level are to be credited for improvements in the economy. Please drill down through your job numbers source (to which you forgot to link) to determine how many Americans dropped off the unemployment roles because they ran through the UC course and share."

BTW- the source is the U.S. Labor Department. I'm sure with your highly educated intellect you can find the link.

Again let's take your words:

"There are devices called smartphones, laptops, and iPads, and the internet, which keep people connected these days, all over the world. And I think the President probably has a private means of communication or two that keep him instantaneously involved."

Now let's change a few words:

"There are devices called smartphones, laptops, and iPads, and the internet, which keep people connected these days, all over the country. And I think the Governor probably has a private means of communication or two that keep him instantaneously involved."

Please spare me that you don't know what MoveOn.org is. Hypocrite!

Brian Dey, so you can't produce a link to your job numbers? Or you don't wish to reveal they are derived from some right-wing blog. And of course I am acquainted with MoveOn.org--a collection vehicle for political articlesMy question to you was, what was MoveOn.org "koolaid?" My "koolaid" comes from multiple legitimate news sources from around the world.

Bren- It is right where I said it was. Too difficult for such a superior mind to look it up?

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm Paragraph 6.

Face it. Wisconsin is doing fine under the current administration. So much so, that Walker is asked to go to states so that they can replicate HIS success. You see Bren, I understand that you are not capable of comprehending that Walker is setting the agenda, not ALEC. He is a true leader. Not something you find on your side of aisle, at least not since JFK.

As for the koolaid, I think its obvious that MoveOn.org gets there info from the same sources you do, hence the reference. And I find it very odd that after your complaining about Walker's travels, you make no comment about your former liberal leader's travels. Far more thatn Walker's and on the taxpayers dime, unlike Walker.

You may want to try taking off your blue tainted glasses and join us in the real world. Your fantasy world is collapsing around you. You make this way too easy...;)

Brian Dey, I always prefer that assertions are backed up with data on the front end. If you as the writer are asking for my time in reading your views, a link respects us both. It doesn't change the fact that any bump our state gets is a gift from improvements in the overall economy.

I heartily disagree with your premise that Wisconsin is doing well. You see, I learn about people who are not "doing well" now and who have children who are going to face additional and wholly unnecessary struggles in the future because of decisions being made right now, every day. Impossible to stick my head in the sand.

Those states and groups that ask for Prophet Walker are in the extreme fringe and I'm sure they want to replicate his "success." Recipe: ALEC checklist, rubber-stamp administration, and bingo!

Whatever your "understanding" of my comprehension, my view is based on direct personal contact, observation, experience and independent research. How did Walker came to join ALEC in the early 1990s as a new state legislator, was he was profiled as malleable clay while working on a political campaign or...? He has been following a path designed for him for the past 14-15 years. That's not setting an agenda, it's following. That explains the universal "we." I maintain that whatever political independence Walker may ever have had has been utterly subsumed.

Research is available to all--you, me, and MoveOn.org. What of it?

Bren- And mine is of personal, first-hand knowledge of the man and the policies he has enacted. I've personally known Scott for the past 11 years. I've worked with him on causes in the early stages of his political career and the man you think you know so well, is not the man I've come to know. He has always been a leader and not a follower as you describe him. He saw corruption, and went after it, not for political gain, but because it was the right thing to do. He had to be talked into running for CE because others saw that he had a unique ability for a conservative of becoming a CE in one of the most liberal areas of the state.

Talk about character, when I was running the Mark Green for Governor Campaign in Racine County, Walker was challenging Mark Green. He contacted several of us the night before he withdrew his name to see why some of us that supported him as CE were working for the Green Team. After are heart to heart talk, on his own he came to the conclussion that a heated primary would hurt the chances of either candidate to beat Doyle, so he withdrew. For someone you claim has all these political aspirations, that was a huge risk as it might have set any preordained schedule to his rise had Mark Green won.

I worked with him on Support the Troop efforts early on in the War on Terrorism. As founder of Just Cause Wisconsin, I asked that he speak at our events. He did more than that by helping get others involved. cont...

cont... These were intended to gather donations to send to our troops who were newly at war. Because of his help, we were able to to send over 100,000 care packages to our troops. He showed real leadership.

I could go on and on, but Scott Walker is a man of character and displays leadership unheard of in politics today. I'm proud to call him my Governor and apparently a majority of the state is also.

I'm not sure of what you think the hidden agenda is here, but it has been nothing but successful. Keeping taxes down in a recession is a good thing. Asking public workers, who had been untouchable for years, to finally contribute to their pensions and healthcare was necessary. The sky didn't fall, and many districts, including my own, have more money under Act 10 then they had before. That is a good thing.

Nothing radical about conceal carry as 48 other states already had it. Nothing radical about having a balanced budget. Nothing radical about wanting to make sure people voting are who they say they are. Nothing radical about ending same day registration as 41 other states didn't have it. Nothing radical about making the state more attractable to business, as business is the means to creating jobs. Believe it or not, these are mainstream ideas, not coming from the fringe.

As far as rubberstamping, Doyle did the same with the union agenda. We are far better off now.

Brian Dey, are we discussing the same man? Scott Walker was caught cheating in an election while at MU. He has been introducing ALEC legislation since the early 1990s and requested legislation from that organization after his election. Where do these facts come into play in your narrative? Complimenting Walker for "going after corruption" is an interesting plaudit given recent events described in the MJS. I submit that the man you met is a crafted persona. And he seemed motivated during his first (recall-inspired) run at the CE's office. Remember his over-the-top pledge to step down if people weren't happy with his performance after 30 days? I do. I also know that once entrenched, nothing less than a better opportunity would get him out of that office. Actions, not words, are the measurement.

Concerning Mark Green, it makes sense that Walker would try to measure his chances for success and take the high road when failure was imminent. Just Cause? An opportunity to be the center of attention. I see nothing in your description to revise my opinion of Walker as a consummate opportunist.

I would also "say" that you appear to have a far deeper and practical commitment to service than Scott Walker. I adjure you to reflect further on your history with the man. He is building a nice career for himself off the backs of people like you.

Bren- Just to clarify, Just Cause Wisconsin was an organization that I and the late D.J. Casser co-founded. The event I refer to is found here:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=20030412&id=56caAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gkMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4929,519014

And our organization was responsible for the ouster of the Dodge County chair and the conviction of her husband in a hit and run death of 17 yr old Jimmy Gengler:

http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=39754599&targetid=profile

Just Cause Wisconsin was not a Walker organization, but mine. JCW also was involved with Operation Freedom, the event held by Milwaukee County at the zoo for free admission for veterans and active military members..

Bren:

If you prefer data 'up front' and 'a link respects us both', why do you seem to always insist that other people 'do their own research' when they ask you for a link to support your claims?

Brian Dey, that was precisely my point about Just Cause and your own commitment to service. While you and I have some different political views I perceived your sincerity and your documentation proves me right. That same perspicacity revealed different impressions about Scott Walker, subsequently backed up by experience and research. There are indeed givers and takers in the world. You are a giver and Scott Walker is a taker. "Takers" have their uses but never leave them unattended if you get my drift.

Cow, how many times must one re-present the same data? One may always review my comment history for links to data I've presented (usually more than once). Concerning requests for links from others, with the recent infestation of right wing propaganda sites thinly disguised as "news" sites, and the always-shaky math of the Heritage Foundation, it's important that everyone becomes aware of what is legitimate data and what is not. An unfortunate sign of the times. I'll try to overcome my legendary lack of patience and post salient links as often as needed in the future.

If Voter ID was used, it would protect the sanctity of democracy as well. But we have seen what a leftist judge can do with that. Early voting cost the taxpayers tons of money. I was at Village Hall and saw for myself the number of people required to handle the early voters. Democracy comes with a price.
If we are going to spend so much money on 'democracy', then it should be done properly- with ID. One vote per person!

Gary- Walker seems to be doing just fine thank you. Taxes down, more money for education, a budget surplus, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, and more people elected him in the recall than the real election, big gains in the state senate and the assembly. Seems you libs are in the minority about the state of Wisconsin.

Now on the other hand, Obama faces a fiscal cliff, meaning another recession, unemployment around 9%, a decimated defense budget, the Middle East in total chaos... I'll take Walker anytime, and the majority affirms him as well in this state. Can't wait until you lefties that actually work have your taxes increased January 2013, or the long lines to get a doctors appointment in 2014.

Same day voter registration is only practiced in 9 states, and a report in Wisconsin by the GAB shows that there is a 30%+ error rate on same day registrations. Oh es, than the dems can't use a magazine subscription form to register.

"Free thought"

Prove the "suppression"..... Most Democrat states don't even have same day registration. It's ridiculous. Prove it.

Btw, your definition of personal freedom in this context makes little sense.

Same day registration is like waiting to run your car out of gas before filling up! If someone is too damn lazy to register in advance, then perhaps they lack the abilities to cast a legitimate vote. Voter ID would limit these people to cast only ONE vote, which I think is fair.

While I am fine with keeping same day registration, why would the elimination of same day registration favor one party over the other? The Dems have been far more active than republicans in doing voter registration drives for their supporters--I would think that fewer of them would be registering at the polls.

http://www.policyshop.net/home/2012/9/25/another-voter-suppression-target-same-day-registration.html

The personal freedom to vote makes every sense, here. We should be working together to make voting easier - not more difficult. Ultimately, it will lead to a healthier democracy.

I'd love to see it easy to cast legitimate votes, and more difficult to cast fraudulent votes. I think that is the goal for everyone despite all the talk about voter suppression.

Obviously keeping the integrity of the vote is the focus. Presently, voter fraud is significantly a manufactured issue used by the TeaPublicans to supress the vote. It is a non issue.

FTT- Republicans won the majority of elections on Nov. 6th in this state. And because we won overwhelmingly in 2010, that gave us the right to redistrict. Why don't you lefties win more elections and you too will have that right.

Troy:

How exactly did you determine that voter fraud is a non-issue? For a long time, Wisconsin has had a system that allowed voters to register without having to prove their identity. There's no telling how many currently registered 'voters' actually exist. Without voter ID, there is no way to catch a person voting under a fraudulent registration.

In other states, it has been documented that people have been 'voting' several years after their deaths. People have been caught voting under a dead person's identity.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Dead-and-Still-Voting-177286281.html

http://pjmedia.com/jchristianadams/2012/05/16/53000-dead-voters-found-in-florida/

Craig - http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/justin_levitt_in_person_voter_fraud_before_senate_committee/

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/06/11569/rampant-voter-fraud-wisconsin-or-martians-are-coming

It's a non-issue used to target Democrat leaning voters. It's sad but true.

The concerns are legit and something we always need to keep in our minds. The reality just doesn't back up the concerns, though.

Better yet, move Rep. Cory Mason (D) Racine from Kinzie Ave. to Michigan Blvd. so he can continue to represent the SWPL DWL interests in Downtown Racine, push for Root Works, and continue to keep the impoverished and unemployed African-Americans in the rest of his district on the Democratic Plantation.

Troy:

One cannot use a lack of convictions as evidence that voter fraud is not happening. Voting under a false registration is nearly impossible to detect. It isn't at all surprising that they cannot prosecute a crime that they cannot detect.

I understand what you are saying, Craig.

I guess I see that point a little differently. Using that logic, we can worry that demonic possession affects elections. It is impossible to prove that, too.

Present polling confirmed election results.

While we cannot be certain if fraud is happening, voter ID seems to be an easy way to be sure that we are truly getting 'one person-one vote'.

Why aren't those on the left working to get ID for the people they are claiming will be disenfranchised by voter ID laws instead of working to fight the law? The money being spent on lawyers to fight the law in court could easy pay for valid IDs for all that don't already have one (along with the funding provided by the law).

Ah, you mean the investigation that was supposed to indict walker, but didn't happen. Ah, yes.

Moving along.

Not suprising, he is very left leaning on Facebook.

It's surprising to me only because when he reports, he's very balanced. I've always appreciated his balance, knowing he's a liberal. That's respectable. This article, not as much.

Is this accusation provable, as the John Doe investigation is becoming increasingly? Or is it hyperbolic accusation to justify the gov. wrongdoing?

FTTroy: It took me 1.7 seconds using the Google machine:
http://mediatrackers.org/2012/05/14/exclusive-tom-barretts-wife-used-mps-email-to-lobby-enlist-campaign-help/
Where was your outrage when this happened?

Quoting this article, 'The use of an MPS email account for political purposes such as lobbying Democratic lawmakers and recruiting fellow teachers to go campaign certainly violates the Milwaukee Public Schools Employee Code of Ethics."

Wrong? Yes. Mrs. Barrett made a bad choice. Illegal? Nope.

The Gov. staff's alleged conduct illegal. Looks like it.

FTT- Yes it is provable. In RUSD, the union freely admitted to it in the April school board election. Oh yes, and lest us forget that Tom Barrett's wife moved to a different district when she was caught. Oh yes, and lest us not forget RUSD, MPS and Madison had a sick-out and I possess the data for RUSD for the temper tantrum over Act 10. Oh yes, and what about the admitted and convicted doctors issuing phoney excuses in Madison. Maybe your moniker should be No Thought Troy.

FTTroy: You didn't click on the link within the article:
http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/99027/publisher_ID/19/
I'll make it easier for you.^^^^

Thanks for the link, Craig.

I couldn't find the results of the investigation. I promise I am not being snarky here. I honeslty want to know what happened.

FTTroy: I can't find the results either, and to make matters worse the link no longer works without subscription. I would guess the matter was dropped after Moore dropped out of the race. Dropped by a liberal DA, which seems to happen frequently.

The significant, and legal contrast here is that Mrs. Barrett didn't work in the Mayor's office.

I agree Bren. Very different.
Just because something is immoral or unethical doesn't always mean it is illegal.

Well it's not something I would have recommended to do while on the job. But again, it doesn't compare to what happened in the Milwaukee County Executive's office.

Interesting details coming through about that last year though. I should think he would have been relieved to hand his CE responsibilities off as that isn't an easy job either. Seems like Walker has been dangling on strings since his state legislator days.

We all know politicians have to do serious behind-the-scenes backscratching to elected. But Walker's behavior is really over the top, in my opinion. What is it about a guy who so desperately wants to climb the political ladder but is so intellectually ill equipped for the job?

Say what you like about Jim Sensenbrenner, the man is highly intelligent and deeply knowledgeable on the issues. GOP, I know there are more folks like Jim out there. Why settle for Scott Walker? Come on.

When in doubt, call lefty, right Brian? Maybe insult me? Yeah, that always works, too. Were there charges brought and convictions? By your own admission, no.

The doctors? Were they conviced? Really? http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Doctor_Notes_Provided_For_Protesting_Teachers_116544948.html

Doesn't look like convictions or jail times or fines. Not legally. Their ethics body had something to say - yes. Were they legally prosecuted? Again, nope.

I am not saying what they did was right. I am only stating what we are finding out in regards to the Gov. and his staff.

Maybe you should lay off the talking points a bit.

So you consider "lefty" an insult now? :)

Smh...

I didn't think Walker was against ALEC & Americans for Prosperity.

Those are the only Walker leeches that seem to be weighing him down

As long as they have the proper ID requirements to confirm the identity and residency of the registrant, then I don't see it as the source of fraud. They no longer allow people to 'vouch' for each other as 'proof' of identity. Getting rid of that alone closed a huge flaw in the system that made it easy to commit fraud...

The problem is they can not confirm anything like they can do ahead of time. And even ahead of like Oct 17 you can register without ID. insane. The GAB even brags about it.

If you can not confirm that they say that they say who they are and give them a ballot, once it's in the box it's recorded forever.

You can not register and receive a passport the same day you are traveling. Personally I think we need to change these open doors for fraud and voting in WI. You have 364 days to register to vote, get off your ass and do it. We keep pandering to the lowest of the low.

Talk about selective! Listening to citizens who voted you in office and listening to out or state interest groups that have no desire or concern for the state or its citizens - only thier own self interests, are two completely different issues.

Besides - it's looking more and more like Walker was involved in the John Doe issue, so I don't know why you aren't outraged. For all the rhetoric about Larsen, I would think an actual factual misconduct would raise some kind of out rage.

Maybe if Walker was a Democrat you would feel the same way. Considering he is not, I guess y'all will defend his actions to the end.

Look at me standing here, not surprised.

Oh the outrage! I guess there will be picketing at the bus stops...lol

Hey Tarnished Angel, bus riding is a privilege, not a right

I am sorry, Tansandy - maybe I should stick to your argument style and name call and generalize.

What question did I "side step" again? The topic of influence in our gov. ?

Are you going to try to tell me unions have more power and influence than corp. special interests? Because that statement would be flat out laughable.

@ED Holladay
I am off today. I have no idea if you are that sarcastic and great or that wayyyy out there.

It's hilarious no matter the case.

KHD
Even small city Wisconsin knows the WalkerJohnDoe case is still open.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/daily_updates/article_13e58e2c-3970-11e2-8811-0019bb2963f4.html

http://m.kenoshanews.com/news.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#1882538

newsflash for you KHD:

America United @Progress2day 3m
Walker Probe Is to Determine If & When a Crime Was Committed bit.ly/TrYYYh #Walkergate #wiunion #wiright #p2 #p2b #wigov #wipolitics
·

I don't know if I would go that far, robert.

I think as long as one is rich, white and male, the TeaPublican Party is 100% in tune with you.

If you are anything but rich, or white, or male. Then you are a "taker not a maker" and completely on your own.

Funny, those are the same group of people that "generally" vote democratic but can't seem to produce an ID to vote. Interesting.

Same day voter registration does not allow a check on the person voting, like what is accomplished when you register the other 364 days out of the year.

Once the ballot is cast, it's gone and counted forever.

They prefer ideology over jobs in WI:

Each year, ALEC ranks the states on how tightly they adhere to the group's policy recommendations—from personal and corporate tax rates, to public sector employment levels, to right-to-work laws—as a predictor of their economic growth. The study released Wednesday, by the Iowa Policy Project and Good Jobs First, two policy groups that promote economic growth at the state level, introduces those rankings to reality. It concludes: "A hard look at the actual data finds that the ALEC…recommendations not only fail to predict positive results for state economies—the policies they endorse actually forecast worse state outcomes for job creation and paychecks."

Let's take a look. In six key measures of economic growth, ALEC's "Economic Outlook Rankings" fail to coincide with the actual economic outlook of a state over time. On the horizontal axis we have all 50 states' ALEC economic grades from 2007, when ALEC started its ranking system. The vertical axis shows the percent change in actual economic performance from 2007 until last year. If ALEC's fortune-telling were correct , the plotted points would form an upward, rightward line, with a better score corresponding with a better economy. But what happens is pretty much the opposite:

Mother Jones @MotherJones 5m
Study: ALEC is Bad for the Economy bit.ly/V5vDnX