Mike Tate

Mike Tate is the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Reacting to the Tea Party rally held at Milwaukee's lakefront last Saturday, Tate made some despicable comments.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Mike Tate, the Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman, downplayed the impact of the tea party movement.

"These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don't believe in this country," Tate said. "They don't want to see more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don't want clean air and water. They fundamentally don't understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work."

Upon reading Tate's remarks, I was struck by his condescension and the personal, ugly nature of his attacks.

More here, from Sunday 20, 2009.

I expected spin from Tate but not such vitriol, and, frankly, such total lunacy.

Tate's comments have been the topic of a good deal of discussion on talk radio in Milwaukee. I'm glad. He should be exposed for the intolerant extremist and liar that he is.

I don't use the term "liar" lightly. I don't want to engage in a name-calling match, but Tate is lying. He is intentionally bent on putting out a deceptive message. What Tate says carries a significant amount of weight because he's acting in the name of Wisconsin's Democrat Party.

The reality is Tate made assertions that he knew were not true. How could Tate possibly know that those in the crowd of THOUSANDS are against affordable health care, and clean air and water? How could he know that thousands of people don't "understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work"?

He can't truthfully make those statements and present them as facts, but he does. It's pure idiocy.

Rather than backing down a bit, Tate has ratcheted up his rhetoric. Clearly, he meant what he said last Saturday. No regrets. No moderation or clarification of his statements. Tate sees this as a fundraising opportunity.

On Tuesday, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus relayed that Democrat Tate is continuing his smear campaign.

Following a Milwaukee Taxpayers’ Tea Party on Saturday which attracted over 10,000 Wisconsin residents, the leader of Wisconsin Democrats claimed outright that attendees did not believe in our country. According to Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus, the Democrats’ leader Mike Tate is now making outrageous insinuations designed to mislead the public about the message many well-intentioned individuals are sending their government.

“Today the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin compared those who voice opposition to the Democrats' agenda to the KKK. The leader of Wisconsin Democrats owes the entire state an apology, and I’ve asked our Governor and Lieutenant Governor to join me in denouncing his statements," Priebus said.

As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tate said on Saturday: "These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don't believe in this country. They don't want to see more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don't want clean air and water. They fundamentally don't understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work."

Today, Tate told supporters in an attached email that he would stand by this statement, and went on to label the protesters as, among other things, racists, comparing them to the KKK and McCarthyites.

“Tate’s remarks are an embarrassment to his party and this state,” Priebus said. “It’s time for the Democrats to start working on a better health care plan instead of insulting hardworking Wisconsin taxpayers who have taken the time to voice their concerns to their elected officials.”

Here is the e-mail, a fundraising request, that Tate sent to Democrats.

Excerpt

Fellow Democrats,

Over the weekend I was asked to comment on the self described “tea baggers” who held an angry mob gathering in Milwaukee.

Here is what I said: "These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don't believe in this country. They don't want to see more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don't want clean air and water. They fundamentally don't understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work."

I meant what I said, and I'm not afraid to say it again.

Just because you throw the biggest temper tantrum doesn't mean you can silence the majority of Americans who want fundamental change in this country.

History is riddled with examples of vocal fringe groups that have risen to oppose progress and success. From the red-baiting McCartyhyites to the Know-Nothings and the KKK, we have seen this story unfold many times in the past. Fueled by ignorance, racism and intolerance, these groups have done everything in their power to obstruct progress – often resorting to intimidation and violence.

We will not be intimidated, and we won't back down.

This moment is too important. The American people voted for change in November, and our President is fighting to implement that change. We will not sit idly by while these extremists pretend to be mainstream Americans. Their views couldn't be any more out of touch with average, working people.

Tate is a disgrace.

To equate all those good people at the rally last Saturday with the KKK is truly unconscionable.

Tate's remarks are inexcusable.

Wisconsin Democrats should strongly condemn Tate. State Dem leaders and elected officials should be rushing to put out press releases to distance themselves from their party's chairman.

Mike Tate is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He's an embarrassment to all Democrats.

The man is shameless.
___________________

Here's the letter Reince Priebus sent to Jim Doyle and Barbara Lawton.

He writes:

Governor Doyle and Lieutenant Governor Lawton, for the leader of your political party to label those with whom he disagrees in such vile terms is simply despicable and has no place in Wisconsin's policy debate. His remarks are an embarrassment to his party and this state. I am asking you to join me in denouncing these statements from the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. I look forward to your reply.

Don't hold your breath, Reince.