"You Suck"

You wouldn't think that "You suck" would become an issue between opponents in a primary race to be the Wisconsin Republican nominee for attorney general.

It did, or at least some variation of it.

There was plenty of drama at the State Fair Thursday morning.

Scott Williams writes:

A Republican candidate for state attorney general pointedly told his opponent "you suck" during a heated exchange today about the threat of terrorism in Wisconsin.

J.B. Van Hollen, a former federal prosecutor, directed the remark at fellow Republican Paul Bucher during a break in a debate broadcast during Charlie Sykes' show on radio station WTMJ-AM (620) from the Wisconsin State Fair.

Bucher, Waukesha County district attorney, had demanded that Van Hollen apologize for saying earlier in the campaign that terrorists were training and raising funds in Wisconsin.

When Van Hollen tried to explain his position and Bucher interrupted, Van Hollen responded: "Will you ever listen? That's why you suck, Paul, because you only listen to people who agree with you."

The exchange occurred off the air during a commercial break, but Bucher informed listeners as soon as the live on-air debate resumed.

"I don't suck. I resent that," he told Van Hollen. "If we're going to denigrate into that, you go first."

Here is the WisPolitics account of the debate. It differs a bit from Williams' report.

Fur was flying at the State Fair today, but it wasn't coming from barnyard animals. Republican primary rivals for attorney general Paul Bucher and J.B. Van Hollen ripped into each other on terrorism, immigration and each other's records.

The debate was hosted by conservative radio talk show host Charlie Sykes and broadcast on WTMJ from State Fair. At one point, after an off-air Van Hollen comment, Sykes asked Van Hollen, "Did you, by the way, say he sucks?"

Van Hollen clarified, saying that Bucher's interruptions showed "that he has a leadership style that sucks," to which Bucher later replied, "I don't suck. I resent that. My vision and leadership is sound, and if we're going to denigrate into that, you go first."

Van Hollen later apologized for the remark.

Here is a press release on the debate from Van Hollen's campaign.

For the second time in two days, Republican attorney general candidate J.B. Van Hollen scored a decisive victory in a debate with his opponent.

“Despite Paul Bucher’s tantrums and attempts to bully both his opponent and the moderator, J.B. scored an important win today, the second in as many days,” said Van Hollen campaign director Juston Johnson. “Van Hollen’s experience, vision and plan for the future clearly shined today.”

...Van Hollen admitted the debate was quite heated.

“After Paul continued to interrupt and scream and display a complete lack of composure, I told him, off the air, that I thought his behavior and style ‘sucked,’” said Van Hollen. “The voters deserve an honest debate on the issues that matter and I regret that I lowered myself to his level with my language choice. I regret it and apologize.”

So the candidates are sitting in that State Fair WTMJ fishbowl studio, on display for the fairgoers to see, and they both completely lose it.

That would have been worth the price of admission.

A spirited debate is great. A shouting match is not.

It's unfortunate that the candidates lost control.

I do think Van Hollen's spin on the debate is amusing. Note the distinction between saying, "You suck" and suggesting that Bucher's "behavior and style 'sucked.'"

According to Van Hollen's press release, it doesn't sound like he apologized to Bucher. An apology that includes "lowered myself to his level" isn't much of an apology.

It seems to me that Van Hollen regretted his choice of words, but made no apologies for his opinions.

Scott Williams has this update:

Contacted for a response, Bucher, the district attorney in Waukesha County, said he would accept the apology.

Even though Van Hollen really didn't offer an apology, Bucher is wise to just let it go. It's best to get back to the issues.

An AG race shouldn't hinge on "You suck."

Uh... What are the issues again?