Brat Summit (Video)

I don't think Governor Scott Walker's post-recall cookout needs a lot of analysis.

Some Democrats are whining that it was a photo op, a political stunt.

Others are saying it was pointless, that nothing of substance would be accomplished.

The intent was to have lawmakers, staff, and guests come together in a relaxed atmosphere and share a pleasant afternoon, have a brat and beer.

The idea was to decompress and enjoy some time socializing rather than being at each others' throats.

From the Associated Press:

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker donned a white apron to man the grill at a bipartisan picnic that had the air of an international peace conference, with a news helicopter circling overhead, protesters yelling outside the gates and lawmakers ushered onto the grounds under tight security.

Walker didn't allow the media into the cookout he hosted at the governor's mansion just a week after winning a recall election spurred by anger over his push to eliminate most public employees' union rights. He billed the bipartisan gathering as a way to heal political wounds created during his first 18 months in office, which saw massive protests and multiple recall efforts targeting lawmakers of both parties.

Some of the nearly 100 state lawmakers who attended the picnic said later that it was a good first step, but Walker needs to do more to show he's serious about bringing the parties together.

"The question is not what happened today, but what's going to happen tomorrow," said state Rep. Brett Hulsey, a Madison Democrat who emerged from the two-hour picnic carrying a souvenir bottle of Sprecher root beer with a special label that said "Moving Wisconsin Forward."

The so-called brat summit featured the local sausages whose name is pronounced "brahts," cheese and many other Wisconsin-made products.

"Brahts" - That's funny.

This get-together shouldn't be seen as more than what it was. It was a cookout. It was a nice gesture. People were invited to eat and drink and enjoy.

To that extent, it was a success. It was a social event.

Leave it at that.

Here's video:

Governor Walker hosts brat summit: fox11online.com

Jimmy Fallon: Walker's 'Bratwurst Party'

JIMMY FALLON: One week after Wisconsin's recall election, today Governor Scott Walker hosted a bratwurst party for Republicans and Democrats. I didn't go 'cause I heard it was a total sausage fest.

It's a lame joke, but it is notable that Scott Walker is considered well-known enough to be featured in a late night monologue.

The Leftists/Democrats/unionistas played a crucial role in elevating Walker to that status.

That is funny.

Walker Cookout: Temperance Union Objects

Governor Scott Walker's post-recall election cookout is being criticized by the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Good grief.

From the Associated Press:

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker can't avoid union troubles, even when he's trying to be bipartisan.

Walker invited state lawmakers to a cookout at the governor's mansion after winning a recall election last week that was spurred by anger over a law he pushed through the Legislature effectively eliminating most public workers' union rights.

Now, he's angered the Women's Christian Temperance Union with his plan to serve beer at the Tuesday cookout designed to help bring Republicans and Democrats together. The WCTU successfully lobbied for Prohibition, which made selling alcohol illegal from about 1920 to the early 1930s, and its 5,000 members continue to spread its anti-drinking message nationwide.

"I don't think it's cool at all," said Rita Wert, president of the WCTU. "It sets a very poor example."

The cookout menu features brats, a local sausage whose name is pronounced "brahts," and beer produced by a number of Wisconsin companies. Root beer from Milwaukee-area brewer Sprecher, which made a special label saying "Moving Wisconsin Forward," also will be served.

Walker pitched the event as a laid-back way to heal political wounds, find common ground and encourage political opponents to work together. Ninety-eight lawmakers, including 37 Democrats, 60 Republicans and one independent, along with about 240 staff members plan to attend the two-hour cookout Tuesday afternoon.

Thirty-four lawmakers have declined the invitation, with at least four publically stating their displeasure with the idea. But their reasons were all tied to politics, not abstinence.

...The group raised similar objections in 2009 when President Barack Obama invited a black scholar and the white police sergeant who arrested him to the White House to share a beer and talk about race relations.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the governor respectfully disagreed with the WCTU's objections.

"In keeping with the bipartisan theme of the event, in this case we agree with President Obama," Werwie said.

Walker and Obama find common ground.

We can all get along.

Beer is a wonderful thing.

Sprecher Root Beer - Brat Summit Label

Sprecher Root Beer is among the Wisconsin products being served at Governor Scott Walker's post-recall cookout, also known as the "Brat Summit."

The Sprecher bottles will be emblazoned with a special label.



From the Business Journal:

Sprecher Brewery of Glendale has created a special label for its root beer that will be served as part of Gov. Scott Walker’s “Beer and Brat Summit” with state legislators Tuesday at the governor’s mansion in Madison.

The label has an American flag as a backdrop with an inset of a Wisconsin map with the words “Moving Wisconsin Forward” and the June 12, 2012, summit date.

After his win in the June 5 recall election, Walker invited members of both political parties and their staff to attend. The governor’s office said 98 legislators — 37 Democrats, 60 Republicans and one independent — and 236 staff are planning to attend.

The event will be closed to the public and the news media.

I think it's good the event is private.

The last thing we need is more political posturing.

It would be nice for Sprecher to send Tom Barrett a case of "Brat Summit" Root Beer. It might remind him that nice guys do NOT necessarily finish last.

Did you know anyone can order Sprecher products with personalized labels?

Whether you are looking for a unique way to personalize a birthday or wedding, searching for that extra-special gift for a Sprecher fan, or are just looking to cover every last detail for that business meeting, Sprecher Brewery can help you make it happen with our private labeled beers and sodas.

Getting custom labeled Sprecher beer or soda can be as easy as you like. You are welcome to keep it simple and select your label design from a variety of templates and samples submitting just a photo and some text to us, or you can unleash your inner designer and submit your finished artwork to us for final preparation. Either way, we are ready to make it happen.

What you need to know:

•A minimum of 6 weeks lead time is required

•Special Amber and Root Beer are always available, other brands may or may not be available upon request.

•1 case (24 bottle) minimum order

•Pricing is determined per individual product and label design

A minimum of six weeks?

Not this time.

Sprecher made the "Brat Summit" label in one week.

Preferential treatment?

Will Graeme Zielinski cry foul, or will he just cry?

Brat Summit

Today marks one week since Wisconsinites gave Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch a decisive victory in the historic recall election.

As promised by Gov. Walker in his victory speech, there will be brats.

Area lawmakers comment on Brat Summit: fox11online.com

From FOX 11 News:

Brats and beer are what Governor Scott Walker hopes will help bridge the divide in Wisconsin.

Tuesday afternoon the governor is having legislators stop by the house for a brat summit.

It seems those on both sides of the political aisle are initially optimistic, but some question the end result.

Just one week after winning the historic recall election, Governor Scott Walker is trying to mend the fences with brats and beer.

In a statement from the governor's office, Governor Walker says," We've got some fantastic, authentic Wisconsin products that we will be sharing with legislators of both political parties and their staff. I am hopeful this get-together will forge relationships that will make it easier to work together to help create jobs."

"We got to trust what Governor Walker on his word that he wants to do it differently and we'll see what happens," said State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay).

Hansen says he'll be there.

He was one of the 14 democrats who fled the state for three weeks in an attempt to block the contentious collective bargaining bill.

Now, more than a year later, Hansen says there may still be hard feelings, but he's optimistic.

"I guess that's all we ever asked for is that somehow we'd be at the table to talk about compromise and collaboration and working together and if this can take us in that direction and make us more unified, as divided as this state is, it's a good thing," Hansen explained.

If the Democrats don't like the beer and brats, will they flee, flee into the waiting arms of Ed Schultz?

Perhaps.

Will they avoid the Johnsonville brats, target of a Democrat/union organized boycott last year?

Maybe.

Will the Democrats choke on the Sprecher root beer with the "Moving Wisconsin Forward" label?

It's possible.

Here's what's on the menu:

Donations from Wisconsin companies include:

•Sprecher Root Beer with specialized labels
•Brats from Trig’s
•Brats from Johnsonville
•Brats from Brat Stop
•Large cheese tray from Cheesers
•Italian sausage and cheddarwurst, and buns from Sardino Brothers Sausage
•Bison burgers, bison bratwurst – onion leek, and bison bratwurst – jalapeno cheddar from Northstar Bison
•Beer from Sconnie Beer
•Potosi Beer from Rep. Tranel
•Beer from Title Town Brewing Company
•Brats from Usinger’s
•Beer from MillerCoors
•Burgers from Roundy’s Supermarkets
•Brownies, cookies, veggie burgers, cheese from Sendik’s Food Markets
•Buns from Pan-O-Gold
•Plates, napkins, utensils, cups, condiments, potato & pasta salad, baked beans, pickles and candy from Lipari Foods
•Lettuce, tomato, onion, green salad w/ dressing, fruit from Russ Davis Wholesale
•Soft drinks and water from Coca Cola Refreshments
•Soft drinks and water from Pepsi of Madison
•Soft drinks and water from Dr. Pepper/Snapple
•Iced tea and juice from Kwik Trip
•Chips from Frito Lay
•Ice and a chiller truck/trailer from Arctic Glacier Ice
•Propane canisters from Tru-Gas

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