Martha Laning, who took over the chair of the Democratic party in June in a contested race, has been missing in action.
A quick Google search find quite a few stories about the election but nothing after that. Knowing that she has to have been doing something, I dug a little deeper.
She made in appearance on Sly at the end of June, in the same time frame, her old competition, Joe Wineke, has made numerous appearances.
An appearance on the Devils Advocate Radio show, in early July.
There was one election in July where, the Democrats got their hat handed to them.
She also was filmed for distribution, a video of her completely flubbing the story of Russ Feingold and his Senate race.
And then this Gem. A press release touting the wonders of Bipartisanship in handing the Milwaukee Buck's Billionaire owners $500 Million taxpayer dollars.
Following is a statement from Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning on the deal for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.
“With the extreme divisiveness and polarization we’ve seen in Wisconsin over the past few years, bipartisan cooperation has become practically non-existent. So it’s incredibly encouraging that Democrats and Republicans in the Senate are working together now that the disastrous budget is over to reach an agreement on building a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.
“This project is good for workers, it's good for Milwaukee, and it's good for Wisconsin. Thanks to Senate Democrats for working with Republican leadership in crafting a deal that will create thousands of family-supporting jobs in Milwaukee.”
The problem with that of course, is the Democratic party was greatly split in this vote and her first vice chair David Bowen - VOTED AGAINST THE DEAL!
Was Ms. Laning calling out Mr. Bowen for being a partisan? Was she telling us that he is part of the problem? Is she for all Corporate welfare?
Maybe she just knows she now has a "bully pulpit" and is sending out positions on all major topics of interest to Wisconsinites.
Let's check:
A statement on the Republicans and Scott Walker's attack on Open Records law? MIA
The fact that Wisconsin elected Scott Walker, on a promise to govern Wisconsin for four years, and is never hear because he is perpetually campaigning for President? Not a single mention.
The fact that Dale Kooyenga was drunk on the floor of the Assembly as he passed our most regressive budget in WIsconsin's history? Radio silence.
How about informing the general public of the fact that the Democrats in both the Senate and Assembly offered up numerous amendments to try and make the budget at least palatable, but the Republicans(because they have the votes) tabled every single amendment offered up by the Dems, thus stopping any discussion and treating the Democrats in their respective houses like children, Certainly the Democrats would like to inform the people of Wisconsin that the Democrats were actually trying to fight for them?
Scott Walker, if elected President would be the most extreme President ever on Abortion rights. Ms. Laning must have missed that article.
Scott Walker, as he campaigns around the country on his "tax cuts", yet the tax cuts he brags about are $3 over two years. Ms. Laning has pointed that out. Right? Maybe with a list of things we can now buy with his tax cut? - Complete stillness.
Scott Walker, likes to tell everyone that no one is above the law in referring to Hillary Clinton, while the bitterly right wing partisan State Supreme Court has told us its illegal to investigate Mr. Walker for wrongdoing. That Hypocrisy has been pointed out right?
That principles from around the state, including many red districts, have gotten together and signed a letter saying Scott Walker is HURTING public education and our children's future. Surely that is important enough for a press release, and a chance to get back on the airwaves and push this story? Hello Darkness my old friend.....
It is unfortunate, in this important time of our state being taken over by right wing extremists, and the middle class shrinking more than any other state in the US, and we do not have an opposition party to push back.
Hopefully, they have a better campaign planned than the current, lets keep everything secret and stealth plan, that they appear to be currently working to perfection.
At least we know Russ is running again.
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Communication is key. When people don't know what's going on, they start filling in the blanks on their own. It's always easy to play arm chair state party Chair. Martha has a tough job. I am willing to give her time. After all it is the summer of an off election year. Sniping at the Republicans may be fun but accomplishes little. The Democratic Party has to re establish itself to win elections. That will not happen over night. We all would like a seat at the table but unfortunately the table is not big enough. My hope is that there is a strong voice there that shares my beliefs.
ReplyDeleteditto
DeleteJoe W. has a lot of free time on his hands. So I'd expect he's available for comment more frequently than Martha Laning.
DeleteIts NOT about sniping at the Republicans, its about informing the electorate. She had the "time" to do a press release praising the Scott Walker Milwaukee Bucks bailout...but no time for anything else?
DeleteI dont need a seat at the table, I want to win elections. We are not on a path to do that.
Joe does not hold any official office from which o issue press releases. Given the Laning landslide who can he say he represents?
DeleteWe have met the enemy and he is us.
He goes on as a Democrat and discusses DEMOCRATIC points of view. With out him and a few others out there NO ONE would hear them. That is my point. SOMEONE needs to be out in front of the people telling them what these people are doing to our state.
DeleteI worked for her campaign here in the 9th. It was very tepid and you could have included a link to her TV ad which touted the notion that "Republicans have good ideas too!" While the choice between her and Lemahue was a no brainer, her election to the partisan leadership post of DPW chair was entirely brainless.
ReplyDeleteYou have to understand that Manitowoc County in particular ranked #1 in terms of a pro-Walker shift between the recall and fall 2014. (-21%)
Her chief ally here is Kerry Trask who effectively destroyed the local party by attacking Professives for refusing to support "DINO" Jim Brey. Trask is now 6CD chair too.
Trask has the same record of never speaking out publicly on anything and seems only interested in stamping out dissent.
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ReplyDeleteI imagine this is why the Working Families Party is setting up shop in Milwaukee County. Someone has to speak for Walker's opposition if the Dems won't.
ReplyDeleteSour grapes.
ReplyDeleteWow, and it was just over two months ago that I was reading right here Jeff Smith's endorsement of Martha Laning, vs. that JR guy who was too likely to be of... divided loyalties, shall we say? And now instead we have what? "Bipartisanship" when it isn't dead silence, at the head of what ought to be the opposition party? How utterly disgusting. Take down that picture of "Fighting Bob" until things change, he must be spinning in his grave right now.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with the author. The Democratic party in Wi reflects the national Democratic party, dead from the neck up. When comparing it to the Rep. party, two sides of the same coin with the Repubs coming up with draconian measures and the Dems remaining silent.
ReplyDeleteSorry guys, this premise is baloney. Chairwoman Laning has weighed-in on nearly all of these issues through statements via DPW press releases. Rather than her being invisible, this is actually a case of the Wisconsin political press corps being completely engulfed in following Scott Walker's Presidential campaign. They simply have not given the Democratic Chairwoman equal time / press coverage. Rather, the author here should point their cannons at members of the press in Wisconsin who are mostly owned and controlled by corporatist media owners, and are generally biased against Democratic and Progressive issues. Martha Laning not around? Not true. Members of the press showing abject favoritism for the GOP? Absolutely. This post is completely off-the-mark.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to post those press releases ....thanks
DeleteWere the press releases posted?
ReplyDelete