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Voters Sift Media Simplicity in County Exec Contest

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Vol. 71, No. 1 Thursday, January 27, 2011 LABOR COUN C I L ENDORS E M E NTS FE B . 15 Primary endorsements in Voters sift media simplicity races with more than two candidates, to come down to final pairing on April 5. in county exec contest Left: Eyon Biddle, 10th District Milwaukee County By Dominique Paul Noth money. While known as an Editor, Labor Press involved thinker, he is also a Supervisor. moneybags wealthy enough not Below: Pedro Colon oregone conclusions have Analysis to be beholden to traditional (incumbent), Milwaukee often dominated Wisconsin we do it all over again and political pressures. His primaries. But not the one Circuit Court Branch 18 F choose someone for the full four- willingness to spend $1 million Feb. 15, particularly in the Judicial. years in 2012 -- could mark a of his own money and the contest for Milwaukee County major change in path and connections to raise half a executive. principles. million more locally scared off a It started -- unsettling So the first challenge is to number of potential candidates enough -- with potentially eight get the voters believing they can (some put on that list former state unknown candidates threatening make a difference. The next Sen. Sheldon Wasserman, Rep. to clog the proceedings, though challenge is facing up to some Jon Richards, County Treasurer only one made it through. fascinating permutations about Dan Diliberti, County Clerk Joe So now it basically comes which two candidates will Czarnezki and Supervisors down to four names notable in advance Feb. 15. Marina Dimitrijevic and Johnny civic affairs or public office here's no smart money in Thomas). vying for two spots on the April figuring this one. The Because he's so hard to read 5 general election ballot. right-wing believers in and outguess (evasive of That means there is little T Meagan Holmon, Milwaukee School Board District 8 talk radio think they make the pigeonholes), his support time for ad money to make a big difference. The believers in becomes one of trust based on his difference in the primary. proven name recognition have a reputation and track record. The LABOR COUN C I L ENDORS E M E NTS APRI L 5 Elec TION This race will be about different view. The media media, of course, would rather perception, reputation, ideology believes it can dominate with brand him with pundit and direction. More choices will be labels and facile analysis. The simplicities, as they do with all It could prove a crucial announced after primary, believers that money talks think the candidates. moment for a Milwaukee County but these contests featured everyone else is wrong. Given the current times, and in deeper fiscal crisis than the only two or no opponents What will primary voters the fact that dominant public has been allowed to know. and brought early endorse- do? Will they add another year conservative talk radio prefers oo few recognize that this to the control of the county board another, Abele was immediately ments from COPE inter- government's main role is chairman, much maligned in the confronted by doubters focusing views at the Milwaukee providing essential basic T media but by statute clearly in on his money and novice status Area Labor Council. services to the public from parks charge for the next 90 days? as a candidate - and that was to courts to transit to health. Such Or will they go in a from all sides. social concerns take a backseat in Newcomer Mark Sain, nonpartisan race for the Republicans like rich people Madison, though all the current Milwaukee School Board Republican echo of Scott Walker but only those they can control, state bills emphasize social District 1, sure to be touted by conservative and Abele in interviews is a sideshows of little weight for the talk radio? careful listener and rapid Milwaukee public. Or will sympathy and long- conversationalist, but clearly no So what will dominate this time roots as progressive one controls him. That scares primary in Milwaukee? Fighting moderate elevate the recent state everyone. back against the disconnected senator who lost largely because Dems who have knee-jerk Madison agenda, beating down of a GOP blitz to Leah Vukmir? doubts about trust fund babies the public disinterest in this Or will they listen to the scoffed at Abele's inherited election so soon after the Board veteran Terry Falk, run- conciliatory, long-term funding wealth -- quite an ironic turn. exhausting bigger show, or ning for At Large Milwaukee conduit for liberal causes Both business leaders and getting the public to grasp how School Board seat. (balanced by conservative free- Democrats activists had long essential county leadership really Right: Board chair Michael market principles in such areas as is in their daily lives? Choices continued Page 6 Bonds, unopposed District 3. education funding) of the wealthy This election could be the philanthropist who has stepped first step in getting county from the financial shadows to elected officials to finally pull in Delegates endorse political action make his private interest in the same direction. All observers ithout a sign of dissent, the democrati- the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades public service vividly personal? tend to agree that the disrespect cally elected delegates to the labor Council, a lavish evening attended by several hun- and conflict between the County Candidates: Abele Wcouncil at their monthly meeting in dred union members and dignitaries at the down- Board and departed County Chris Abele has funded January approved the recommendations of their town Hilton's main ballroom. Photos Page 9. Executive Scott Walker have many local and international Committee on Political Education for the upcom- The COPE members -- a full room of repre- been a chief culprit in the past, progressive causes (including key ing elections and also endorsed the executive coun- sentatives elected by member unions to evaluate wherever you lay the main guilt. ones embraced by unions but also cil's proposed increase in the monthly per capita each candidate's positions and written responses Many concede that this race a diverse list of community dues for the 45,000 plus union members. and conduct interviews -- listened to a dozen and -- even though it is for the brief activities) through his Argosy The Milwaukee Area Labor Council per capita a half candidates, many running in the Feb. 15 pri- year left in Walker's term before Foundation and largely inherited for each member from its unions will grow from mary but some in just the April 5 general election 92 cents to $1.04 effective in February, and (if there were two or fewer candidates in their con- required from all participating in council votes. test). The increase will be apportioned among many In detailed voting after the interviews, a pro- council functions (including its charitable wing and cess that requires two-thirds agreement, the COPE political action campaigns). representatives considered all the lawyers running The delegates also applauded the congressio- for judge in Milwaukee Circuit Court Branch 18, nal citation received by Lyle Balistreri who had passing on Roy Korte and Christopher Lipscomb hosted in December the 100th birthday party for Primary continued Page 9 Page 2 — AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, Thursday, January 27, 2011 www.milwaukeelabor.org Louis Butler survives life in judicial limbo By Dominique Paul Noth were, in large part, minorities he was pounded with the image Editor, Labor Press deemed progressive. of a liberal out of touch with f all the people to run But the deal was only for the centrist values, which recent into grocery shopping in last session of a disappearing experience renders doubly false), December -- on the same Congress and on Jan. 5 Obama the GOP has tried to demean his O clearly accomplished track day he was chosen as a sacrifi- renominated Butler as United cial lamb to the GOP by the Stated District Judge for the record as a balanced, thoughtful White House -- I was stopped by Western District of Wisconsin, judge seeking a conciliatory Louis Butler Jr. in a parking lot replacing the long-retired John approach. Today’s public can’t in the cold wind on an even C. Shabaz. help noticing that this is just colder day for him, and we had a How long has Butler been in what the Wisconsin Supreme brief talk. limbo? Butler was originally Court of today so desperately I immediately commiserated nominated for the same seat in needs. on the recent news -- the reporter September of 2009. Since then There is no question the in me was also quietly seeking he has been stalled and blocked GOP stall has been about politics confirmation -- that the White by Republicans in the Senate. and repellent rhetorical games House had just pulled his nomi- e is likely to be blocked (and in Wisconsin trying to keep nation for a federal judgeship as again by new Wisconsin the public's eyes off the ball of a bone to win a deal. I found him HSen. Ron Johnson, but gridlock on the judiciary without resigned but remarkably accept- some of the realities have Butler). It is interesting how the ing of the vagaries of D.C. and changed -- including the possi- ad falsehood by the winner, the necessities facing the presi- bility that the concerns of the Michael Gableman, creating the dent. He was not critical but other new GOP senators might myth of "Loophole Louie," was focused on moving forward in not be about reopening old successfully refuted by the life and holiday spirit. wounds, particularly not now national media -- what has utler and three others had since in Butler's case the false replaced it to Wisconsin's sad been put on the chopping reasoning behind the GOP ani- reputation nationally with block just before mosity has been exposed.
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