Thursday, April 5, 2012

All Six Fake Democrats Named, Complaints Filed

I first told you about three of the fake Democratic candidates. The next day I told you of the fourth one identified. Now, thanks to an astute friend of Cog Dis, we know the names of all six reprobates as the GOP shamelessly boasts about their lack of respect for the voters:
GOP spokesman Ben Sparks says Gladys Huber will run for governor; Isaac Weix will run for lieutenant governor; and Gary Ellerman, Tamara Varebrook, James Engel and James Buckley will run in four state Senate recalls.

Engel will be running as a fake Democrat against former state representative Kristen Dexter, an Eau Claire Democrat who declared her candidacy against Republican State Sen. Terry Moulton in Chippewa Falls in January.
The real kicker is when the GOP claims they won't spend any money on these races. Based on their past practice, that's a bunch of bull manure.

We know this from the press release issued by One Wisconsin Now who filed complaints against them for violating campaign laws:
Mike Browne, spokesperson for One Wisconsin Now commented, "In sworn statements submitted to the GAB, these candidates declared that they intended to represent the Democratic Party. Yet the public statements and actions of these candidates and Republican Party leaders suggest just the opposite."

Wisconsin Statutes 12.13 (3) (a) states that no person may "falsify any information in respect to ... [a] declaration of candidacy", and 12.13 (3)(am) states that no person may "... file a false declaration of candidacy or amended declaration of candidacy." A violation of 12.13(3)(a) is a Class I Felony punishable by fines of up to $10,000 and 3 ½ years in prison and a violation of 12.13(3)(am) is punishable by a forfeiture of up to $500.

[...]

Significant evidence suggests the intention of these candidates was to represent the interests of the Republican Party. Senate Republican leader Scott Fitzgerald was reported as saying the candidates were "a tool to help Republican candidates".

One candidate received an in-kind contribution of over $5,200 for a phone bank from the St. Croix County Republican Party and five of the "fake" candidates only source of campaign funds was the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and their only expenditure was to the Republican Party for printing and postage. Three letters authorized and paid for by fake candidates say: "Please help maintain our Republican legislative majority today! We can't stress enough how important it is to have (CANDIDATE NAME) on the ballot today to combat the shady maneuvers of Madison liberals and their out-of-state allies."
Now, if you don't feel that One Wisconsin Now is enough of an authority to prove that there is possible violations of campaign laws, this was also run past attorney Jeremy Levinson and this is conclusion:
It is uncommon for this type of election fraud to present the serious legal issues created by Republican Party’s acknowledged and documented plans to run “fake” Democrats in Democratic Primaries to bend the electoral process in favor of Republican incumbents and against Democratic challengers. This scheme, carried out during the recalls of 2011 and underway for the ongoing recalls does not fall in a grey area. This does not reflect disputes among a party’s factions or debates over who “truly” represents a particular party. Nor does it require law enforcement to attempt to determine the intentions of “fake” Democratic primary candidates.

The Republican Party and their “fake” candidates have repeatedly and clearly acknowledged that these efforts seek to represent Republican Party interests and to disadvantage Democratic efforts and challengers. The statements on the “fake” primary candidates Declarations of Candidacy and nomination papers can only be understood as fraudulent.
And if one takes into consideration the mailer that I and many other people received from the Republican Party of Wisconsin in which they boast of running Gladys Huber and Isaac Weix in order to interfere with the electoral system, I think they've got a pretty solid case against them.

I wouldn't be surprised if more formal complaints weren't filed soon.

61 comments:

  1. Almost seems like they didn't think this one through, doesn't it? They feel quite brazen.

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  2. It doesn't sound fraudulent to me, Now if they were campaigning as a democrat but funded by republicans I would agree. But it sounds like they aren't misrepresenting themselves, or their motives. Wisconsin chose to have open primaries, so this is what democracy looks like. Lets hope the next legislature passes reforms to the recall rules in Wisconsin. It might be the only way we get out of voting every 6 months.

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    1. I would suggest re-reading the article. It clearly explains the fraud involved in the fake Dem campaigns. The author even includes the specific statutes. As well as, Attorney Jeremy Levinson's conclusion.

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    2. Maybe you assume that in order to represent the Democratic party means you have to have disdain for Walker. It can be argued they will represent the democratic party, maybe better than they are now. The law doesn't state any restrictions on where the candidates funding comes from. So in response, I think the case he has made for fraud is weak at best.

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    3. "The Republican Party and their “fake” candidates have repeatedly and clearly acknowledged that these efforts seek to represent Republican Party interests and to disadvantage Democratic efforts and challengers. The statements on the “fake” primary candidates Declarations of Candidacy and nomination papers can only be understood as fraudulent."

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  3. Cognitive Dissidence should be ashamed of themselves. The race has barely started and they and their union-boss’s hand picked democrat candidates, have already started their smear campaign against their rivals. Once again unable to run on their record, they begin their pathetic campaigns in their usual degusting and distasteful ways. The only ones shamelessly boasting their lack of respect for the voters are those who made the mockery of our election system in the first place with their recalls of the republican candidates who were duly elected by the voters. Now as so many crying babies do, they stamp their feet and throw a recall temper tantrum simply because they did not get what they wanted.

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    1. Is anon. 06:11 AM, Mr. Weix, himself?

      Or is this Earl Bits?

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  4. Or they could start paying attention to their constituents. Recalls are happening because a majority of people feel ignored and tricked.

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    1. It would be better stated that a minority of people feel ignored and tricked. Question is, can they turn their anger into a majority.

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    2. Perhaps it isn't all angry people?

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  5. Spokesbot Reid Magney told WTDY yesterday that the GAB isn't going to investigate because “[the] potential for mischief is part [of the cost of open primary] where the people decide instead of party officials.”

    Except, you know, it’s the party officials recruiting the fake candidates.

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  6. Yesyouprobablyarearacist, an open primary means that voters do not have to declare party affiliation and vote on either a Republican or Democratic ballot, they can vote in either primary. Open primary does not mean that one party can declare that it will fraudulently run self-delcared fake Democratic candidates to subvert the election process. It's called election fraud and just demonstrates to the public the putchist mentality and the contempt that Republicans have for Democracy itself.

    Breaking the law has become so relflexive to Republican stratagests that they don't seem to even recognize it when they do it. I know they thought they seized eternal power in Wisconsin in 2010 but it hasn't worked out that way has it?

    It's no wonder so many of them will be facing felony charges sooner than later. They are too full of their own propaganda to avoid even inadvertantly incriminating themselves. Bon voyage suckers.

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    1. Very well said, Gareth. I'm glad to read that others have also noticed the "reflexive" behavior of the Republicans with regard to the law. And, I also agree with you that they don't seem to even know the laws.

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    2. Laws are left open to interpretation. "There's many shades of gray between black and white" my lawyer friend tells me.
      Sure, you find a judge in Madison to agree with you, but it will get overturned. Sounds like the GAB agrees.

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    3. Let's please stop with the Madison put downs. I am always sticking up for Waukesha county, since I have friends there, so please stop putting down Madison. That is so wrong.

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    4. Laws are left open to interpretation by the Walker-controlled attorney who would be investigating....

      And then judgement by Walker-controlled Judges.

      The Prosser election campaign proves that the Republican party line will do anything to retain and control power.

      Delete
  7. 2nd posting because, unable to handle facts, they already deleted it:

    Cognitive Dissidence should be ashamed of themselves. The race has barely started and they and their union-boss’s hand picked democrat candidates, have already started their smear campaign against their rivals. Once again unable to run on their record, they begin their pathetic campaigns in their usual degusting and distasteful ways. The only ones shamelessly boasting their lack of respect for the voters are those who made the mockery of our election system in the first place with their recalls of the republican candidates who were duly elected by the voters. Now as so many crying babies do, they stamp their feet and throw a recall temper tantrum simply because they did not get what they wanted.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Why do you hate democracy?

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    2. No, cupcake, it's because your comment ended up in the spam filter, fittingly enough.

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    3. No, there is no disrespect to any voters.

      People got together in Wisconsin and used their constitutional power.

      Anyone telling anyone that using ones' constitutional RIGHTS shows disrespect.

      Delete
  8. Wow, Brave Anony! If your blinders weren't so tight, and your need for ad hominem ridicule so deep, you'd be able to recognize the projection in your words. Mockery of our election system? Recalls are legal, but you're saying they're a mockery? Brazen fake candidates may or may not be legal, but you're saying they're not a mockery?

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  9. I know I've asked this before, but I wanna know if the signatures on the nomination papers for these "fakes" are gonna be available online?

    I'm curious if anyone I know is helping out with this fraud...

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    1. I don't know about online, but I believe they eventually will be. Although I would hope to think we are above the McCarthyism we've seen from the right.

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  10. John:

    How does anyone know if they are fake candidates? Because they were told to believe this, or mearly believe everything they are told? Maybe they truly are Democrat. Maybe they want to restore what the Democrat party is supposed to stand for rather blindly follow what they are told. This is both side not just the Democrat side.

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    1. No, they are fake candidates.

      Isaac Weix explained this on a public radio program just before last spring's Harsdorf recall primary.

      Semper Fi!

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  11. Purple -

    I know that last year the two (real) guys running against Dave Hansen faced pretty stiff challenges based on the signatures on their nomination petitions - stiff enough that one of them was not allowed onto the ballot. All the info from their challenges and rebuttals was online and the GAB board hearing covering them was streamed online. I don't specifically remember their full petitions being online, but I assume they were.

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    1. The petition pages were indeed made available last year, as part of the 'meeting materials' for the GAB board meeting.

      I'd be nice to see them before that, but at least they'll be available sooner or later.

      http://gab.wi.gov/about/meetings/2011/june-27-special

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  12. Please DO call the GAB at 608-266-8005 and ask to speak with Kevin Kennedy. You'll be transferred to his voice mail where you can express your displeasure with Republican voting fraud, and, your request that Kennedy get a spine.

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  13. I'm not from wisconcin but these republicans were elected by people who trusted them to do the right thing..they lied. Starting with Walker..what is it that republican voters don't see?

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    1. They believe him because they don't care about collective bargaining and think he will lower their taxes. They root for Republicans as if they are a baseball team, they are loyal and don't believe he is lying. They watch Fox news and listen to right wing radio. (All of that for some, some of that for others)

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    2. This is true, most places with a T.V. on will have Fox News running in the background almost all day. I have seen this.

      It provides constant entertainment without substance and has some hot and sweet chicks anchoring. Put them next to a professional looking guy in a suit and these flakes almost look.... real.

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  14. Funny how my comments keep getting deleted. My response back to John was deleted already. Probably to give the appearance I did not have the courage to respond back. Essentially my response back asked how would anyone know if they were fake democrats? Because they are being told what to believe or believe what they are told? Maybe these people are truly democrats but are tired of the crud from both sides but had to choose oone. In respect to the deletion of my comments.....An omission is still a lie. So who is being lied to?

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    1. Dear Anonymous @9:16, ...not enough courage to use your name though

      Some ways to identify fake con-idates:
      -read the lawn signs on their prperty
      -check where the funding comes from
      -read their campaign literature
      -look for their signatures on Recall petitions
      -ask them why they are running for the office.

      Palli Davis ex-pat in Ohio

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    2. how would anyone know if they were fake democrats?

      One of the guy flat-out said that he was a long-time Republican, and was asked by the Republican Party to run as a Democrat in order to make sure a primary election was held.

      Not sure how much more "proof" you need than that...

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    3. Your comments are coming through, I've read them!

      Delete
  15. What's the point of running a fake candidate for governor? There's already going to be a primary. It's downright stupid. BTW, a dude is trying to get enough signatures to primary Walker, partly to deter Rethugs from voting in the Dem primary.
    Check out: http://www.iartwi.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/artforgov

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  16. Gladys can' t even spell the title of the office she is running for! Check out her Facebook page. These folks are such fools.

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  17. Anonymous, in your first sentence you ask what the point was, and then in your BTW, you answer your own question, Do you read your own post? Just incase you are still unclear, how about we get that answer from the Republican Spokeperson Ben Starks.


    "According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Republican Party spokesman Ben Sparks said that "running what he called 'recall protest candidates' guarantees a clear primary date and ensures no Republicans will face a general election that day [in May], when Democrats likely will turn out in huge numbers to select a gubernatorial challenger."
    The GOP-selected candidates running as Democrats are Gladys Huber, who will run for governor; Isaac Weix, who will run for lieutenant governor; and Gary Ellerman, Tamara Varebrook, James Engel and James Buckley, who will run in the four state Senate recalls.
    ~The Huffington Post | By Amanda Terkel, 4/5/2012

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    1. The point of running a fake candidate is to force a primary when there wouldn't otherwise be one. If there's already going to be a primary, as in the gubernatorial race, which has several Dem candidates, what is the point of adding a fake Dem to the mix? Running a candidate against Walker in the Republican primary should induce Republicans to vote for Walker, lest he lose the primary, instead of crossing over to vote in the Dem primary. Get it now?

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    2. Not really. Why would he lose the primary if he were running unopposed?

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    3. Republican party seeks to confuse. Adding more names to a ballot and putting party affiliation will lump Coke in with the Pepsi.

      You think they're all Pepsi, and most people can't tell the difference when they're going to choose--they all look so similar, and the T.V. name-campaign will hopefully sway them toward the sellers goal.

      They choose a Coke wrapped in a Pepsi label.

      If it happened with a real product like this, people would be more upset.


      But, then again, uninformed voters being guided by a secret manipulative marketing campaign couldn't have bad consequences could it?


      Any Fake Candidate should be jailed for misrepresentation.

      Any group coordinating, funding, or knowingly supporting a fake should also face penalties for fraud.

      Isn't eliminating fraud in our State, one of Walker's priorities?

      I'd probably start swaying back over to support Walker if he jailed these fakes.

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  18. As Anonymous 5-Apr-2012 1245h stated, they want to force primaries where there otherwise would be none. But their strategy is multipronged. If there already would be a primary, throwing a Republican ringer into the mix confuses the issue (to the benefit of Republicans), forces Democratic organizers to spend PR resources to counteract that -- and maybe allowing a election somewhere else slip by. Too many holes in the dike, and not enough fingers to plug them with. Classic "divide and conquer", anything they can do to divide or dilute the Democratic vote, they WILL DO. So that they can continue to dilute our small-d-democracy in favor of their authoritarian vision, as represented by their never-negotiate-never-compromise-steamroller-dissent-whenever-possible current leadership.

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    1. If the rethugs want to make mischief, there are far better strategies than running a fake candidate in the Dem gubernatorial primary. 'Nuff said lest I give the morons any ideas.

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  19. Only half in jest I say that I am looking forward to the arrests, bookings and finger printing, followed by --thank you Roberts' Supreme Court-- the strip searchs.

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    1. That occurred to me too, Gareth. I'm thinking Walker on this one.

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  20. Six people committing felonies as part of a coordinated operation with a common goal sounds a bit like a criminal conspiracy, yes?

    Good night and good luck.

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  21. The labor union bosses have turned on Tom Barrett who is running against Scott Walker in the Governor Recall election in WI. Is Barrett fake? Research it. Turns out, Barrett may be starting to see the benefits of the sanity trying to combat the unsustainable entitlement programs here. Apparently there are those who do not want this to happen with the State Senate recall elections. I’m neither democrat nor republican but these entitlement programs are simply unaffordable any longer. WI public sector employees still have the best benefit packages in the Midwest, even after having to contribute something to their own benefit program.

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    1. Taxpayers contribute nothing to government employees salaries. Read the Forbes article written by an actual economist to better understand this

      http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2011/02/25/the-wisconsin-lie-exposed-taxpayers-actually-contribute-nothing-to-public-employee-pensions/

      And programs I contribute to like Social Security and such are entitlements only in the sense that I PAY FOR THEM and am entitled to those services in return.

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    2. Should've read "gov't employee pensions." We DO pay for services performed via salaries, whether to state workers, or increasingly, outsourced as political favors to campaign donors.

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    3. Fool Anon 4:27, you are absurdly uninformed. I am a state employee, I always have paid toward my health insurance, and I ALWAYS have paid the ENTIRETY toward my pension, so it is no entitlement; quit with the stupid talk and terms that you don't understand.

      An entitlement is a gift, and you have given me nothing but 60-hour workweeks and no raises for years -- and now you want to steal part of my paycheck, you thief? My pension is deducted from my paycheck, which means it's my money. It has my name on it. I earned it.

      You don't think my paycheck is mine? Then your paycheck isn't yours, and I'm entitled to it, and I'll come take it from you. Better watch over your shoulder for me, wherever you go. . . .

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  22. Funny how you get upset when your own tactics are used against you...

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  23. trolls getting paid. must be nice to do high school work for the gop for a living.

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  24. No kidding, Anonymous 6:32. What a bunch of weaklings.

    I think a nice Open Records request is in order with Fitzy and the Walker campaign, to see if there is coordination with the Wisconsin GOP, as there seems to be. If so, you got yourself a felony case, as well as a nice group of emails to dump showing how low-life these "Christians" really are.

    It's already backfired, but let's make them pay even more.

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  25. The trolls are being paid with all that money. They will probably be popping up all over the place now. Yuck.

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  26. I say we keep it up until we drive all private sector employers and employees under. That way we can prove to them once and for all where all the revenue comes from and who really pays for the State salaries and benefit packages.

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    Replies
    1. Well, Walker is well on his way of destroying all those private jobs, so you just might get your wish.

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  27. I'm scared Anonymous 7:37. I'll keep an out. How ironic that I need to be looking over my back.

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  28. Run *good* Republican rivals for nomination against all the incumbents -- so the GOP don't dare waste votes in the Democratic races, lest their candidates fail to get to the general election!

    Also, Part 2 of John Dean’s article on Scott Walker for Verdict.Justia is out today.

    Here are handy tinyurl links for both parts:

    http://tinyurl.com/dean-re-walker-part-1

    http://tinyurl.com/dean-re-walker-part-2

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  29. Walker For President!

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