Collusion is defined as a ”secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose.” The actions of the American Federation for Children (AFC) under Senior Advisor Scott Jensen (ALEC alumni-turned lobbyist), in pushing SB486 with Leah Vukmir and Alberta Darling (American Legislative Exchange Council members) has indeed been secret and deceitful. Secret in the manner the bill was drafted and [...]
Archive for February, 2012
“Special Needs Scholarship” Bill is tale of collusion involving Scott Jensen, AFC, ALEC, GOP
Posted: February 28, 2012 in Follow the Money, Legislative action, Media CheckTags: "Special Needs" Scholarship bill, Alberta Darling, ALEC, American Federation for Children, Leah Vukmir, SB486, Scott Jensen, Wisconsin politics
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Redistricting Update – Expert Ronald Keith Gaddie gives partisan, expected testimony in defense of maps
Posted: February 24, 2012 in Commentary, Media CheckTags: Keith Gaddie, Michael Best and Friedrich, Wisconsin politics, Wisconsin Redistricting
In a February 17th blog, Badger Democracy revealed the most influential player for the GOP in drawing the highly controversial redistricting maps, now in the final hours of testimony. University of Oklahoma Professor of Political Science ( while Wispolitics reports Gaddie from Tulane - Gaddie’s primary position is with OU) Ronald Keith Gaddie has taken the stand today [...]
The Federal Court this morning called the GOP bluff in the Wisconsin Redistricting case, ruling that legislators could return to redraw highly controversial and partisan maps at the court’s request. We will know within hours if Republican Legislators will heed the court’s advice, and return to the “drawing board” to create less partisan maps. As of [...]
Redistricting Update: GOP arrogance continues; why they think the maps will stand – and why they are wrong
Posted: February 21, 2012 in Commentary, Legislative action, Media CheckTags: Jim Troupis, Keith Gaddie, Michael Best and Friedrich, Wisconsin Legislature, Wisconsin politics, Wisconsin Redistricting
Just a few hours after presiding Federal Judge J.P. Stadtmueller strongly suggested that GOP lawmakers revisit contentious redistricting maps, attorneys for those lawmakers returned with a weak excuse for rejecting the Court’s suggestion. Attorneys for the GOP said leaders were “…willing to consider making changes to the maps but believed a 1954 opinion by the state Supreme Court prevented [...]
The most influential, under-reported player in the Wisconsin GOP Redistricting strategy – Oklahoma University Professor Keith Gaddie
Posted: February 17, 2012 in Legislative action, Media CheckTags: Keith Gaddie, Michael Best and Friedrich, Scott Fitzgerald, Wisconsin Redistricting
The emails ordered released by a Federal Court on Thursday have received a great deal of attention in the media recently. What has received little to no attention are the emails (see page 18 of the emails)referencing Keith Gaddie(Professor of Political Science – Oklahoma University) , and the critical role Gaddie has played in Wisconsin and other states (Texas, [...]
Fitzgerald torpedoes GOP, open government, environment for WMC and Gogebic Mine…just another day in Fitzwalkerstan
Posted: February 15, 2012 in Commentary, Follow the Money, Legislative actionTags: Gogebic Taconite Mine, Scott Fitzgerald, Wisconsin GOP, Wisconsin Mining Bill, Wisconsin politics
Wisconsin State Senate Majority Leader (and subject of a recall effort) Scott Fitzgerald released a statement Wednesday afternoon which, by all accounts, has left his own party in political chaos. The Juneau Republican suddenly dissolved the Senate Select Committee on Mining Jobs, and informed the Republican Caucus that the Assembly version of the Mining Bill [...]
Premature WEAC “Recommendation” in Democratic Primary – blatant disregard for members and the movement
Posted: February 9, 2012 in Commentary, Media CheckTags: Democratic Primary, Kathleen Falk, Kathleen Vinehout, Mary Bell, WEAC, Wisconsin politics
On the same day State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) officially announced she was in the race for Governor in an impending recall election, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) announced its “recommendation” of Kathleen Falk to represent Democrats against Scott Walker. The announcement has been met with a strong backlash from WEAC members on social media sites, [...]
Primary Debate for Democratic Candidates must focus on Walker, recall passion
Posted: February 8, 2012 in Commentary, Media CheckTags: Kathleen Falk, NARAL, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Scott Walker Recall, State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, Wisconsin politics, Wisconsin recall election
The only two candidates to file with the GAB, and show engagement in running for Governor against Scott Walker are two Kathleens – Falk and Vinehout. As the two formulate their campaigns and messaging, there are significant differences emerging between the two. Falk is being positioned as the establishment Dane County Democratic candidate; her staff [...]
The Marquette-Franklin poll…What wasn’t reported in the media
Posted: February 2, 2012 in Media CheckTags: Charles Franklin, Marquette University Law School Poll, Scott Walker Recall, Wisconsin politics
The recent report of the Marquette Law School Poll conducted by Charles Franklin in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was headlined “Walker leads potential Democratic opponents in new statewide poll.” Like lemmings into the sea, statewide mainstream media followed the Journal Sentinel’s lead on this story; including the much improved 51% approval rating of Scott Walker, and [...]
