Wisconsin
Related: About this forumRuss Feingold Group Jumps Into Fight To Defeat Scott Walker
WASHINGTON -- Former Sen. Russ Feingold's (D-Wis.) advocacy group Progressives United jumped into the Wisconsin gubernatorial race on Tuesday, endorsing Democrat Mary Burke despite apprehension about her candidacy from some liberals.
Progressives United polled its Wisconsin members last week about whether to back Burke, a member of the Madison school board. After hearing from more than 3,000 of its members, the group decided to endorse her.
"Wisconsin members of Progressives United want to support Mary Burke for governor now and begin the work to beat Scott Walker in 2014," wrote Progressives United Executive Director Cole Leystra in an email to members. "By a 75.2%-24.8% margin, thousands of progressives voted to start organizing right away, so Burke can build a grassroots organization early."
An endorsement was far from guaranteed, and backing from Feingold's group will provide Burke with not only grassroots support and fundraising dollars, but also progressive credibility. Burke is so far the only Democrat in the race to unseat Walker, a Republican, but others may jump in.
State labor leaders have so far remained largely silent on Burke's candidacy, and some progressives have been upset that the Democratic Party has seemed to discourage other candidates from running.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/russ-feingold-scott-walker_n_4142141.html
Not real happy about this, she's not the best candidate is she?? Great that his group is getting involved in the fight, just wish a better choice was available.
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)I think Tate was drawn in by the promise of lucre. I've commented before that the Party Poobahs seem intent on ramming her down our throat. I think there are a lot of state businesses pissed off at various things Walker has done, but not pissed-off enough to support a real Democrat like Vinehout. They think they can pull in enough money to win with Burke, and they're maybe right. Ah, political reality in the post-Citizens United world
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)After you've bought up all the available air time, billboards, newspaper ads, blimps with message banners, etc., what are you gonna do with the rest of the money?
But the point remains that Burke can muster up more big bux, her own & those of other business types who would like to own a tame Democrat, than someone like Kathleen could ever dream of.
And yeah, Tate is out of his league. Has been, in fact, ever since he got too old for Little League. Nevertheless, he no doubt has consultant friends who could profit handsomely from a well-financed campaign, no matter its outcome.
CatholicEdHead
(9,740 posts)That special interest groups are always running some pro-Walker or pro-GOP ad on Milwaukee airwaves. Good luck finding any airtime, it sounds like 24/7 Democratic party bashing in that area.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)undeterred
(34,658 posts)Maybe all the progressives were too busy watching football to read their email.
riversedge
(70,242 posts)I would like to see Vinehout enter the race.
Burke supports gay marriage, opposes voter ID - TODAY'S TMJ4 http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/news/Burke-supports-gay-marriage-opposes-voter-ID-228701601.html
a kennedy
(29,673 posts)dragonlady
(3,577 posts)This is from an interview with a blogger:
http://bloggingblue.com/2013/10/a-conversation-with-kathleen-vinehout/
EC
(12,287 posts)I really don't know if Burke will be strong enough. She looks pretty wishy washy. I don't know anything more than her being in the family of Trek Bikes.
dembotoz
(16,808 posts)lutefisk
(3,974 posts)Not a good candidate. She is not going to win with Bjork advising her to be Walker-lite.
Her naive, or well thought out (either way), support of the right wing Madison Prep, along with her utterly vapid demeanor, counts her out for me.
Big Tent
(85 posts)I only give to candidates because the outside organizations always are at odds with who I support in primaries or where I would spend money in a general election.