Thoughts on the Governor's Race: Take Two

It was meant as a pointed jab. With humor. When I posted A Most Serious Threat To The Wisconsin Democratic Party on Friday, I was trying to elevate the discussion about the need for a viable candidate for governor.

I did not expect the post to be most widely read Waxing America since the infamous bicycle post, Bicycling Madison Style: As Dumb As It Gets, which is exactly why, my friends, I would never be a viable candidate for Governor.

Not to mention that few are worse than moi at fund-raising, or staying on message. Or that Sara would never speak to me again.

On a more serious note, I am thankful for all of the well-meant words of encouragement and kind thoughts, some from very old friends, some from people I do not know.

Let me make something constructive of this post: when I defeated Joe Sensenbrenner in 1989, he was silly enough to think that his record on management would get him re-elected.

When I ran in 2003, I was silly enough to think that my record on management would get me elected.

There were other reasons I lost, but the point is that progressives must tend to the management and administration of government.

We must make a genuine commitment and not leave the field to the Scott Walkers. They hate government and public employees.  They want to privatize or close everything except the police and fire departments, and I am not so sure about the fire departments.

With improved management, we will have a better democracy, we will save money, the quality of services will improve, and the respect for our public institutions will grow.

Let's elect someone who embraces government, knows its limitations, and is committed to making it better.

Comments

[Art Hackett]

Have you filed to form a campaign committee yet?

[buckyblue]

You would, of course, be better than Scott Walker, assuming Barrett doesn't run. I can't imagine a Governor Walker, dumbest executive in the country. But I guess there was a Governor Palin.

[R.J.]

We don't hate public employees. We just hate paying for their gold-plated pay & benefits for the amount of work we get out of them in a typical day.
It's a sign of the times when our children should aspire to be "in the club" as a Wisconsin civil servant.

[nonheroicvet]

Hey R.J. - Don't you know the first rule of entrepreneurship is to get your spouse a government job so you don't need to worry about health insurance or retirement.

[James Wigderson]

Paul, don't answer that phone. It's Mike Tate begging you to run. He can't find anybody else.

[Ty O'Mara]

It is possible no one wants to run, but if Mayor Barrett does decide to run; it does present and entreprenurial opportunity for R.J.(or anyone who is quick). Just like those big foam #1 hands you see at the football games.....instead make a big bandaged right hand glove that resembles Barrett's bandages. Make it a glove that can just be slipped on. I wouldn't know where to start on something like this.... R.J., Mayor Barrett, anyone interested? Sell them at rallies, etc. I was thinking $12.95. A slogan goes along with the glove: "Right hand man, OW! Right hand man, OW! I am selling the "Gov Glove" and slogan in a package deal: $2 for every "Gov Glove" sold. Act now.

Sorry, Mr. Soglin, business is business.

[R.J.]

nonheroicvet, yup then your ex-wife's neighbor's cousins are covered too!

Rep. Wood, in his 'Leaving Las Vegas' downward arc, should do the right thing...fall on the sword by running for this career killer.