Wisconsin Republicans were almost gleeful to discover the Abramoff scandal has only touched one candidate for governor: Democrat incumbent Jim Doyle. Democrats had been trying to tie Congressman Mark Green to the scandal by alleging that one of his aides had accepted sporting event tickets from the lobbyist. When that fell through, the only one returning Abramoff donations was the governor, and a number of Democrats began to look silly.
Not to say that Congressman Mark Green escaped totally unscathed. After all, his opponent in the GOP primary Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker scored some points when he suggested Green rid himself of money that came via indicted Congressman Tom Delay. For all practical purposes, Green found himself sticking $30,000 in campaign funds in a paper bag and setting it on fire. I can guarantee you that it didn't give Green a nice, warm feeling, especially as this is the second time he found himself following rather than leading the agenda in this race. Shouldn't Green be winning by now?
Meanwhile under the Capitol Dome, familiar faces are now leaving the scene. Exit stage left, State Senators Brian Burke and Chuck Chvala. Exit stage right, State Representatives Bonnie Ladwig and Steven Foti. Foti just cut a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in exchange for testimony against State Representative and former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, the last domino to fall.
The loss of Chvala has already hurt the Democrats, and Republicans were able to exploit this to a solid majority in the state senate. The loss of Jensen will hurt Republicans, too. While not a member of the current leadership, it was Jensen that lead the Republicans to the promised land in the Assembly. The loss of that kind of strategic thinking and ability to create an alternative to the Democrats will be invaluable.
Speaker Gard has yet to demonstrate the type of leadership Jensen showed, and has even managed to alienate his own base. From automatic increases in the gas tax to his support for ethanol, Gard convinces conservatives that Madison is still in the grip of special interest lobbies. For someone who once saw himself in the governor's race against the ethically questionable Jim Doyle, he certainly is doing a lousy job of demonstrating an ethical alternative.
The situation in the state senate isn't much better. So far the most memorable quote by the Republican leadership is not a statement against the Democrats, but a statement by Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz who happily pointed out there isn't talk radio up by him. Too bad. With leaders like this, who needs enemies?
Republicans are going to need more than ethical lapses by the Doyle administration if they are going to win. They're going to need a clear cut alternative vision for Wisconsin. They could start at the state government by pledging to get government out of the lives and businesses of the residents, lowering taxes, lowering regulations, ending corporate welfare as well as cutting programs. In turn this will lead to less corruption in Madison as there are less lobbyists and clients expecting largesse from the public coffers.
Fortunately for the Republicans, they have two candidates, Mark Green and Scott Walker, who have been outside the Madison scandals. When Republicans vote this September in the primary, they should vote the candidate who best represents both of the conservative principles of reform and smaller government. Otherwise, Republicans may as well stay home this November.
