Dennis Troha: Jim Doyle's Secret Santa?

"Merry Christmas! God bless us, everyone!"

The holidays are a busy time for everyone -- lots of get togethers, lots of different festivities to attend.

I imagine that the governor of Wisconsin must really be stretched thin at that time of year, receiving far more invitations to parties and other events than he could ever accept.

Yes, Jim Doyle must pick and choose carefully. There are only so many hours in a day, and only so many days in the Christmas season.

Without a doubt, it's quite an honor to have the governor attend your Christmas party, unless you're Dennis Troha.

In the case of the indicted Kenosha businessman, I think Jim Doyle was probably "honored" to rock around the Christmas tree with Troha.

From The Capital Times:

Gov. Jim Doyle attended a holiday party last year at the home of Dennis Troha, the Kenosha businessman who faces federal money laundering charges in connection with campaign contributions he gave to Doyle.

The Dec. 20 party was the second Christmas get-together at Troha's house that Doyle attended since becoming governor in 2003, Doyle spokesman Matt Canter said; Doyle was also a guest at Troha's 2004 yuletide celebration.

You'd think that Doyle could spread the love around a little more and attend someone else's party.

I can't believe that Doyle had nowhere else to go on a cold winter's night besides Troha's place.

Who knows? Maybe Troha serves really good food at his parties. Perhaps Doyle is crazy for Troha's egg nog.

Doyle's party appearances were acknowledged after an open records request produced a schedule that listed a "Kenosha Holiday Party," last December and come amid intense scrutiny over the governor's relationship with Troha. Until last month, Troha was the developer of a proposed $808 million tribal casino in Kenosha and is the former owner of a major trucking firm now at the center of a multi-state tax dispute.

The records provide "new insight into the coziness of their relationship," said Mike McCabe, director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a watchdog group.

Cozy, indeed.

Troha and Doyle's relationship seems as cozy as a big, gaudy Christmas sweater.

...Jay Heck, director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, said the new disclosures contribute to the "drip-drip-drip" of information about Doyle and his administration's contacts with Troha.

"The governor attending the Christmas parties of campaign contributors is not unheard-of," Heck said. "But what I don't understand is why the governor and the administration are not being more forthcoming about that information."

A guarded schedule: The Capital Times learned of Doyle's appearance at the Christmas party after obtaining copies of the governor's daily schedule through an open records request.

Doyle's office has stopped the longstanding practice of providing reporters with the governor's weekly schedule in advance.

Instead, reporters must file an open records request at the end of each month to learn where Doyle has been and with whom he met.

In releasing the December schedules, Doyle's office attempted to withhold the location of what was listed as a "Kenosha Holiday Party" by blacking out the address.

I bet it was easier to get information on Bill Clinton's various "social" rendezvous when he was president than it is to learn about Doyle's scheduled activities.

Doyle is very secretive. He disappears for a time and then resurfaces. He's a stealth governor. He sort of reminds me of Batman.

...Doyle's schedule shows that in addition to the usual parties for his staff and Capitol police, Doyle attended December parties at the homes of Rhythm and Booms promoter Terry Kelly and Madison developer Randy Alexander. Both Kelly and Alexander donated thousands to Doyle's campaign.

WHAT?

Doyle only attended the parties of major donors?

What a coincidence!

[Mike] McCabe said the visits underscore the difference between the way major campaign donors and average citizens are treated.

"The average citizen doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of the governor coming to his or her Christmas party," McCabe said.

While that's a true statement, I guess we can't fault Doyle. After all, he gets so much from his major donors that he wants to give a little something back.

Can you blame him?

He barely knows these people and yet they give him thousands and thousands of dollars.

What's the problem with thanking them by gracing their little Christmas soirees with his presence?

So what if Doyle goes to Troha's parties and shows a little gratitude for his generosity.

It's not as if Troha is expecting anything in return other than a little recognition, like Doyle showing up at his Christmas get together.

It's not like Doyle has done anything unethical.

It's just a party, right?