Yes, I actually made it out there to Genesee. I’m always surprised to discover life west of the Fox River.
Rather than give you a blow-by-blow, let me give you some general impressions instead.
Of the five candidates, Troy Fullerton was the most impressive. Fullerton spoke knowledgeably on every issue, and was most impressive on the subject of taxes. He framed the issue of the automatic gas tax increase and the raid on the transportation fund as “right vs. wrong” without sounding cliché. “We are taking money under false pretences”, he said, referring to the transportation fund. Fullerton’s best line was after each of the other candidates explained their support for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) with one modification or another. “I support TABOR, not just as a concept.” he told the audience, and pledged to support the Lasee-Wood bill as written. He then reminded the room he had the endorsement of Senator Wood.
On the subject of concealed/carry, Fullerton explained his position while acknowledging a staffer for one of the authors of the bill (State Senator Dave Zien) was in the audience. Fullerton explained that while he supported the bill, he was against requiring a private property owner to tell each and every person entering the premises that a concealed weapon was not permitted, explaining a sign should be enough, and we should not place such a burden on private businesses.
On the subject of the Riemer plan for universal health care, Fullerton said we could just say "Goodbye to business in this state." And promised to fight against socialized medicine. Finally, on the subject of gay marriage, he supported the state constitutional amendment, "We didn't pick this fight; this fight was picked with us."
Kent Woods, perhaps the most controversial candidate of late given his lobbyist history, had laryngitis he said, “from knocking on over 5000 doors.” Woods was probably in a little more ill health than he let on, letting his first response to a question get bogged down in a story of a little old lady who recently lost her driver’s license. If Woods does manage to get elected, apparently his first act as a member of the state legislature would be to make the roads of North Prairie less safe to drive as he gives half-blind granny back her driver’s license.
It’s hard to judge Wood’s performance given that his voice clearly has suffered during the campaign (maybe that’s why he’s such a prolific e-mailer). Woods’ worst moment was probably the TABOR issue. Instead of making a clear and defiant statement in support of TABOR, Woods went on about three year averaging of bonding issues and “Colorado’s recess”. While interesting points, probably not the time to make them in front of an audience already suspicious of his commitment to TABOR.
His best moments were two, and both underscore Woods’ credibility problem. The first was on the subject of concealed/carry when he said he was right outside the legislative chamber “on that terrible day when one of the sponsors voted against his own bill”. The second time was during his closing when he asked voters to choose the candidate that would be the most effective. Touting his Madison experience, he declared that he would not need “on the job training.” “I already know where the bathrooms are.”
While he got an appreciative laugh from the audience, I couldn’t help but think, “I wouldn’t bring up Madison if I were you. It’s poor salesmanship.” It’s Woods’ Madison experience that makes him so unpalatable as a candidate given his lobbying against TABOR (unmentioned in either newspaper). Add the general dissatisfaction with the current crowd in Madison – both Democrats and Republicans – and Woods is facing a real credibility problem.
Both Fullerton and David Marlow attempted to tap into that anti-Madison sentiment. In response to a question to what the candidates are hearing while going door-to-door, Fullerton imitated a voter asking, “Are you one of them RINOs?”
Marlow said voters were asking him how sincere he was when he said he was a conservative. It was a theme Marlow would return to often during the forum, at one point referring to him and Fullerton as “the fiscal conservatives” in the race. He asked, who else “showed the courage of their convictions” by twice taking on a liberal Republican state senator in a primary? He touted his “A” rating from the NRA. His best moment was probably when the subject of TABOR came up. He said in response to one of the other candidates who worried about cutting services hurting the public, “I can’t comprehend hurting the taxpayers by lowering taxes.” Marlow raised a concern with “creative tax reform” which he said were “risky schemes.” He didn’t make it clear if this criticism was directed at Fullerton or Woods.
Scott Newcomer was probably most impressive with the placement of large signs along highway 18 on the way home. There was an uncomfortable shifting in a couple of chairs when he said in his opening statement he and his family lived in Waukesha County his whole life. Kind of like mentioning a rope in a house where there’s been a hanging.
In response to the question about what he was hearing when knocking on doors, he said that while taxes were an issue, people were also concerned about the quality of life. Another big issue he heard about was water and where it was going to come from in the future. He touted health care as an issue, and malpractice reform. Again in his opening statement he, too, mentioned that he was opposed to “risky schemes” shifting taxes from one group to another, an obvious shot at Fullerton.
He answered the questions knowledgeably and capably. On the subject of TABOR he also brought up the Colorado example and pointed out that TABOR in Colorado worked because it put the tax issue “in the hands of the people.” His best moment was probably on the subject of the automatic gas tax increase, when he said he considered it, “taxation without representation” and embraced the Walker plan for ending the automatic increase because it had a plan for “the big picture.” His low point would have been on the subject of election law reforms, when he rambled a bit about school referendums being held when there’s nothing else on the ballot. Everyone agreed with him, but I think it would be generally agreed that the panel format is really not Newcomer’s best venue.
Finally, Jack Perry, who declared that this office would not be “a stepping stone” for him. He had no further ambitions than this office. An ex-Marine (like David Marlow), Perry at the end of the table would often point how much the candidates were in agreement with each other (a theme picked up by both the Journal Sentinel and the Waukesha Freeman). On the subject of the automatic increase in the gas tax, Perry promised to “light a fire” under the leadership. He complained, “We have a majority” and nothing to show for it. On the subject of voter id, he advocated for the state constitutional amendment though he warned of some of the problems caused by the federal courts over a similar move by Georgia. I liked Jack Perry, even when he admitted that criticizing TABOR was like “touching the third rail.” He was the candidate that supported TABOR “as a concept,” and advocated an emergency clause, citing “9/11”. He, too, is a member of the NRA. However, he lost me when he started preaching about tax breaks for corporations that promote healthful living and healthful eating. I almost dropped my Double Big Mac and Jumbo Coca-Cola.
The primary is December 13th and will determine the likely person to fulfill the remainder of Dan Vrakas’ term. Despite the warning of Waukesha GOP chairman Don Taylor, I think Republicans can almost take the general election on January 10th for granted.
(note: I've since corrected the spelling of David Marlow's last name. You can tell I'm an old movie buff because my fingers insist on typing an extra e on the end.)
