Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Milwaukee County Sheriff: The Right Stuff

This morning on 620 WTMJ, Charlie Sykes moderated a debate between Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and his Democratic primary challenger Vince Bobot.

It's an important race, given the extent of the crime that's crippling the Milwaukee area.


Remember that crime impacts the economy. People leave the city. Businesses that are there move out and new ones don't move in.

Controlling crime in Milwaukee County is literally a battle for the life of the city and the future of the region. Ultimately, the outcome of that battle will have ramifications for Wisconsin as a whole.


A dying Milwaukee has a withering effect on the state.

The debate was an extremely enlightening exchange.

Bobot sounded like the typical foaming at the mouth liberal run amok.

It's funny. He was so tough on Clarke, but he doesn't sound like he wants to get tough on crime. Bobot criticized Clarke's ineffectiveness and stooped to throwing weird personal jabs, yet he didn't provide any sensible, concrete plan of his own to tackle the crime problem.

Clearly, Bobot puts his faith in commissions rather than actions.

It's fine to be concerned about root causes, but THAT'S NOT THE SHERIFF'S JOB. Leave that to the sociologists.

Listening to both men, it was obvious that Clarke is result-oriented. He's interested in taking immediate action to solve problems.


Bobot, on the other hand, thinks it's wise to sit around and talk.

And what happens in the meantime if the sheriff is emphasizing root causes and yapping in meetings?

The community is put at risk.

Bobot believes in placing the focus on understanding the poor, troubled bad guys. That's a mistake. A sheriff needs to focus on protecting the public NOW. It's about action, not talk.

Clarke sounded like a hard-boiled cop. Bobot sounded more like an ACLU lawyer than a law enforcement officer.

Simply put, Bobot revealed that he doesn't have the right stuff to be the Milwaukee County Sheriff.

A position as a counselor at a camp for troubled kids would be more fitting for Bobot.

Kumbaya anyone?

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