The Party Obstructs

By Jeff Simpson

In our Democratic Republic, we have set it up where there are two major parties(Democrats and Republicans) and they run the show.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party used to have control over the Legislative and Executive offices in Wisconsin,  but now(thanks to a few bad election cycles),  have zero relevance within our state.

While there is alot of "It's not my fault" the last few years, it does not take a rocket scientist to understand why they keep losing.

Democrat Myron Buchholz has decided to throw his hat into the ring, and go up against Congressman Ron Kind in the primary election.   As a condition of running successfully, most politicians need to get their hands on a Voter Activation Network(the VAN).   The VAN, in my experience, is pretty out of date but a useful tool.

The problem is, as useful as a tool as the VAN is, Mr. Buchholz will never know.  See the State Democratic Party, of which Mr. Buchhholz is a member, refuses to sell the VAN to him.   Seems because he is primarying an established Democrat. he must be treated as an annoyance and an outsider.

As we have noted numerous times here at CogDis, you are either all in with the Democrats or all out!

Here is the email that Mr. Buchholz received from Brita Olson:

Thank you for contacting us regarding a purchase of the Wisconsin voter file. Unfortunately, at this time, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin cannot grant access to the Buchholz campaign. It is our practice that we do not sell access to challengers of Democratic representatives in good standing. 

Email Ms. Olson and tell her to let Democracy rule and allow any Dem who wants to run to purchase the VAN.  The party should NOT be picking winners and losers....

Brita Olsen <britao@wisdems.org

If you have had enough of Ron Kind fast track passing yet another free trade/job killing agreement, feel free to help Mr. Buchholz out! 

MyronBuchholzforCongress!  

The Disappearance of Martha Laning

By Jeff Simpson

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.

Posted July 15, 2015Following 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.

Running The Numbers

By Jeff Simpson

In a week and a half, the Wisconsin Democratic Party will be holding their annual convention in Milwaukee.

Approximately 1200 Democratic Party Members who signed up ahead of time to be delegates will get the privilege to vote for the next party chair (I highly recommend Joe Wineke) and there are five candidates running.

Whoever wins the party chair(please please do not vote in Jason Rae), there are four very important numbers that they have to keep in mind.

The first number is 1,121,555.  

That is the amount of votes Mary Burke received.   Let's say there are 2000 people at the upcoming convention, that means there are 1,119,555 people who vote Democratic, when given a reason, who are not at the convention.

How will YOU reach out and treat them.

The second number is 1,259,163.

That number is one more than the vote total that Scott Walker received to win re-election.

How will the Democratic Party raise their vote total so that we take over the Governorship next time?

The Third Number is 99.

99 members in the Wisconsin Assembly and the current breakdown is 63 Republicans and 36 Democrats.   The Democratic party NEEDS to pick up 14 seats.

How do you plan on doing that(PS: its a long slow process is the wrong answer).

The Fourth and final number is 33!

There are 33 seats in the State Senate and currently Republicans hold 19 of them and the Democrats 14.  That means the Democrats MUST take three more seats!   Its Mandatory!

What is the path to success?


Those are the key questions that the new chair of the Democratic Party has to answer!