Gard - Kagen Rematch

From the Appleton Post-Cresent:

Former Assembly Speaker John Gard is expected to announce Sunday that he intends to run to unseat U.S. Rep Steve Kagen, D-Appleton.

Gard, 44, who was narrowly defeated by Kagen in 2006, was backed by the Republican National Committee in his previous run for Congress.

Gard's campaign spokesman Mark Graul declined to say Thursday whether Gard was the party's pick this time around.

"The only 'pick' that John Gard is concerned about is that he's the pick of the people of northeastern Wisconsin," he said.

Graul said Gard, who lives in Suamico, has spent much of his time since August talking with voters about support for him running again.

Gard will make his announcement at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bay Beach Park main pavilion in Green Bay, and at 3:30 p.m. in the Pierce Park picnic pavilion in Appleton.

Gard certainly isn't making TWO announcements on Sunday to say he intends NOT to run against Kagen.

Surely, the people of the 8th District will get it right this time.


"If our children are healthy, they'll develop into their full potential and become wonderful tax-paying citizens sometime."


"Then I go to [President Bush's] wife, 'Hi Barbara, how are ya?' I did that because I learned on the campaign that the meanest thing you can say to another gentlemen is, 'he's a fine fellow,' and you then refer to his spouse by a different name."

--STEVE KAGEN

Steve Kagen?

What were the people in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District thinking?

The race between Steve Kagen and John Gard should have been a no-brainer for voters.

Did new voting machines malfunction? There must be some explanation.

A majority of the voters could not have knowingly picked Kagen over Gard.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Steve Kagen, a millionaire doctor new to politics, won Wisconsin's only open U.S. House seat Tuesday after a campaign promising to bring change to Washington and to the policy in Iraq.

"We already have too many professional politicians in Washington. Thank you so much for giving someone new a try," he told cheering supporters in Appleton after defeating veteran Republican state legislator John Gard. "We needed a positive change and a new direction. I think we found it this evening."

Then he added, "There's a doctor in the House."

Before Tuesday, according to the Congressional Quarterly, only 12 licensed physicians were serving in Congress -- 10 in the House and two in the Senate.

Kagen's win gave Democrats another seat in their effort to gain a House majority. With the high stakes, the race became the most expensive campaign in state history for a two-year job in Congress.

Kagen's margin of victory was slim.

Who cares? A win is a win and a loss is a loss.

It's amazing to me that given the choice between someone nutty like Kagen and a highly qualified, experienced, committed individual like Gard, Kagen would come out on top.

It took a while for Kagen to come out and address his supporters to deliver his rambling victory speech.

No doubt, he waited for Gard to call and concede.

Because the race was so close, it took a long time before Kagen was willing to claim victory.

Then again, Kagen could have been slow to do his victory dance because he operates on "Injun time."

Good grief.

What is this guy doing in the House of Representatives?

Elect John Gard

Here's the bottom line in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District race:




Simply put, John Gard represents the values of Wisconsinites.

Steve "Injun time" and "terrorist slayer" Kagen does not.

Vote for John Gard.

Kagen Riding on Injun Time

About a month ago, I learned a new word -- "macaca."

I had never heard it before. I didn't know it was a slur or an offensive word.

Thanks to The Washington Post, days of front page coverage of Sen. George Allen's use of the term raised my consciousness of the inappropriateness of the horrible M-word.

The Left went bonkers over macaca, like it was the worst affront imaginable.

Eleanor Clift declared that Allen's "macaca" remark had destroyed his chances of ever becoming president. It was such a serious offense.

Obviously, no apology could salvage his tattered political career.

Today, I expanded my vocabulary again, sort of.

I had never heard the expression "injun time."

I'm still not sure that I really know what it means.

Democrat Steve Kagen, candidate for Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District, used the phrase at an Aurora Healthcare forum.

Hear Kagen on tape.

From WisPolitics:

Dem 8th CD candidate Steve Kagen apologized today for apparently saying he was on "injun time" to describe his reason for arriving late to a forum.

According to a recording of the remarks, Kagen opened by introducing a staff member.

"I want to thank you for driving me around the district this morning. I really appreciate you getting me here almost on time," he says to laughter. "Our excuse, uh, in Oneida was, well we are on injun time. They don't tell time by the clock. Our excuse here is I'm a doctor and we're never on time."

"Injun time."

Isn't "injun" a derogatory term?

I think most people would recognize it as unflattering.

Kagen not only used an offensive word, he was apparently referring to an offensive stereotype when he used it.

STOP THE WASHINGTON POST PRESSES!!!

We have a racist candidate!!!

We need this splashed on the front page of every publication in the country and leading every news broadcast.

...Christine Mangi, spokeswoman for Kagen opponent John Gard, said the quote was "unfortunate."

"We don’t like to see slurs like this taking place," she said. "In this day and age, we would expect people wouldn’t use words like that."

Kagen is a racist, insensitive buffoon.

So where is the outrage?

It's reserved for Republicans, of course.

Kagen said he was sorry that some people may have been offended.

Here's the statement that Kagen released. I think it's intended to be an apology, even though he doesn't come out and say that he's an offensive oaf.

"I did not mean any harm by my words, and I humbly apologize if I offended anyone. That was not my intent. Instead of words, however, let's talk about actions. I have been a great supporter of Native American issues during this campaign and am proud of the strong relations I have with Native American communities in the 8th Congressional District. John Gard, meanwhile, has repeatedly taken aim at Wisconsin's Native Americans, working to dismantle tribal sovereignty, targeting Indian economic development, and shamelessly using the tribes as a political pawn against the Governor." -Dr. Steve Kagen

So when Kagen is caught on tape making a slur, we're all just supposed to drop it and pretend it didn't happen.

Kagen's Indian remark was one of several "outlandish" statements he's made in the campaign, including a debate line about how he'd personally "take out" a terrorist if he ever encountered one on an airplane, Gard said.

I would call Kagen's statements "outlandish," wouldn't you?

Rather than staging protests to condemn Kagen, Dems and tribal leaders wanted everyone to know that they aren't very bothered by Kagen's remarks.

Several tribal leaders came to Kagen's defense, saying other issues were more important and the expression "Indian time" was not offensive. Use of the term "injun," however, was called derogatory by one tribal leader.

Menominee Tribal Chairwoman Karen Washinawatok said the term "Indian time" is commonly used among Native Americans, whose concept of time traditionally was much different from European settlers.

"It's not at all derogatory... it's the time we were meant to be there," she said. Washinawatok, however, said the word "injun" was derogatory.

Oh, okay. I've got it.

"Injun time" is a problem, but "Indian time" is not at all derogatory.

So it would be acceptable for me to say that an airline runs on "Indian time."

Or, the concert was scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm, but it didn't. It was that darn "Indian time" again.

That works for me. I wouldn't want to offend any Native Americans, but since it's perfectly alright to say "Indian time," I'll be glad to use it often.

Oneida Tribal Chairman Gerald Danforth said "Indian time" was "one of those cliches for why you might be late for an event." Danforth said he thought it was humorous that Kagen had used the term.

"I had to laugh. I didn't give it much more thought than that," Danforth said.

Funny. Really?

REALLY???

I think it's funny that these leaders are focusing on "Indian time" rather than what Kagen actually said, "INJUN TIME."

I would think that would make an enormous difference in terms of how forgiving they want to be.

The National Republican Congressional Committee today blasted Kagen for "his racially insensitive comments" and forwarded a critical press release from a South Dakota Republican congressional candidate, Bruce Whalen. WTMJ-AM talk radio host Charlie Sykes accused Kagen of essentially making a racial slur.

And why would that happen?

BECAUSE KAGEN USED A RACIAL SLUR.

It's on tape. He said "injun."

Why are the tribal officials giving Kagen a pass?

This is why:

Danforth and Washinawatok said there were many more important issues to the tribes than the Kagen remark.

Washinawatok said Kagen had visited the Menominee reservation many times and that she supports his candidacy. Danforth said the Oneida tribe had taken no official position on the congressional race.

Gard's push to give the state Legislature a say in approving Indian gambling compacts was objectionable to Washinawatok. Gard lead role in criticizing tribal gambling deals negotiated by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in 2003 also put him at odds with many Wisconsin tribal officials.

It's hard to respect Danforth and Washinawatok.

By going easy on Kagen, they appear extremely hypocritical. Do they want the dignity of Native Americans to be upheld or not? Do they sincerely care?

Do you think that they would react in the same manner if John Gard was caught on tape talking about "injun time"?

How about Mark Green?

What if he picked up on the phrase?

Would that be alright with Danforth and Washinawatok, or would they be on the warpath ready to scalp him?

Oops! Is that offensive?

I'm sorry. Let's pass the peace pipe and let bygones be bygones. Let's talk about what a racist scumbag George Allen is.

Have No Fear, Kagen is Here!

Democrat Steve Kagen: "Here I come to save the day."

Last Friday night, a debate between Republican John Gard and Democrat Steve Kagen, candidates for the 8th Congressional District in Wisconsin, revealed in the clearest terms the fundamental difference between Republican and Dem philosophies in waging the War on Terror.

Gard spoke of the need to take the fight to the terrorists, to be proactive rather than reactive, to be tough.

Kagen was a spokesmen for the appeasement approach touted by presidential wannabe Russ Feingold and the "Let's frame the Bush administration as evil and President Bush as Public Enemy #1" crowd.

WisPolitics has the debate video.

It's worth watching how the candidates address terrorism and the Patriot Act.

This exchange occurs about forty minutes into the debate:

MODERATOR JEFF ALEXANDER: Thank you, Mr. Gard. We’ll start with you for our next question. What do you think of the Patriot Act? How will you vote?

GARD: I believe in the Patriot Act. I think my highest responsibility is to keep you, your family, and our nation safe. ...There is a difference here between me and my opponent. The choice could not be clearer. I believe he underestimates the tenacity of the enemy. I do not. ...I think we need to do whatever we can to give law enforcement the tools and our troops the tools to track down terrorists and fight them over there before we fight them over here.

I do not want to react to a terrorist attack. I want to prevent a terrorist attack. And that is the difference. The Patriot Act helps us do that. ...I think it is critical that people understand: We are not the enemy. The terrorists are. ...

MODERATOR: Mr. Gard, thank you. Dr. Kagen, same question to you. What do you think of the Patriot Act? How will you vote?

KAGEN: Well, I believe in giving the President all of the tools necessary to defend us. I believe we can’t make mistakes in this time, but we may not have the right leader. The Patriot Act is law and I will obey it, but at the same time we must seek ways to modify it if necessary to guarantee that we retain our constitutional rights.

...I agree with John. The enemies are intent on destroying America. They're intent on hurting us, killing us. We are their evil one, but let's understand who the real enemy can become if we become too fearful.

I'm... I'm not afraid. I'll put my foot down and stand up if I'm on a plane with a terrorist – I’ll take him out right there.
We need leaders that are tough. We need leaders that are smart. Unfortunately, we've got the tough part right. We just don't have the smart part.

MODERATOR: Dr. Kagen, thank you. Mr. Gard, your one minute rebuttal.

GARD: I don't ever want a terrorist to get on an airplane, and that's the difference.

Well.

Now we know how the Dems will protect us from terrorists.

If you're on a hijacked plane and lucky enough to have tough guy Steve Kagen on board, he promises to put his foot down and take the terrorists out.

Feel more secure?

As long as Kagen is around, we can relax.

Why bother worrying about terrorists when Kagen can just take 'em out?

Ready to take out the terrorists: Kagen puts his foot down, and his knee.

Unbelievable!

It's really funny that Kagen would say something so lame, but the matter is deadly serious.

This is the Dem approach to fighting terrorism: Kowtow to radical Leftists that believe the U.S. is the enemy. Mislead Americans into believing that the government is abusing its power and listening to their phone calls. Scare people into thinking that someone is monitoring their use of public libraries.

The Republican approach? Use all LEGAL means possible to find the terrorists, monitor them, and break up plots BEFORE they occur.

I see a little problem with the Dem plan.

Kagen can't be on every flight.



h/t Charlie

Extreme Lies about John Gard

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin continues to intentionally mislead the public about John Gard.

From an August 17 DPW press release:

John Gard is at it again. In his latest campaign TV ad, Gard tries to trick voters into believing that he is a champion of women’s health care rights and that he supports research to find cures to diseases like Alzheimer’s.

But the truth is, John Gard has an extreme record in the state Assembly on women’s health care issues and wants to shut down stem cell research – the very research that has the most potential to cure deadly diseases like Alzheimer’s.

As Speaker of the Assembly, Gard has advanced an extreme Republican agenda that has sought to roll back women’s health care rights and ban life-saving stem cell research.

“John Gard has perhaps one of the most anti-women, anti-research records in the state Legislature,” said Joe Wineke, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “It’s clear Gard knows he can’t win with his extreme record, so he’s trying to trick voters into believing he’s someone he’s not. But he won’t get away with trying to hide his true record.”

These are lies.

Gard is not a misogynist bent on harming women's health. The DPW makes him sound like a member of the Taliban.

Furthermore, Gard does not want to "shut down stem cell research." How many times does that have to be said?

I guess it has to be said every time the Dems lie to Wisconsin voters.

So much of what's in yesterday's DPW anti-Gard press release was already put out in a Planned Parenthood press release on August 10.

The same bills are cited. The same rhetoric is used.

Same old, same old -- LIES.

Planned Parenthood: "John Gard is bad for women"

President Bush's visit to the Wisconsin yesterday brought a flurry of press releases from Dems and their supporters.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin put out a release that points to the extremism of its agenda, as well as the organization's willingness to distort the truth.

PPWI, like other lib groups and Dem candidates, was troubled that President Bush was helping John Gard raise money for his campaign.

PPWI condemns Gard for his fundraising event, yet it deems PPWI appeals for financial support to be legitimate. It's an obvious double standard.

Read PPWI's take on its own appeals for cash.

You might call it "funraising."
We organize several events every year to raise funds and generally enjoy each other's company.

"Funraising." Is that a misspelling or an intentional wordplay?

Either way, it's bad.

Apparently, it's fun to raise funds to kill babies. It's not just about raising money. It's about being together with like-minded people, sharing quality time.

How creepy!

Back to the press release--

Madison, WI -- While the country is still reeling from the uncovered terror plot and security has been heightened nationally and internationally, President Bush chose to spend the day in Wisconsin campaigning on behalf of anti-birth control, anti-woman Congressional candidate John Gard. This is the second time Bush has visited Wisconsin to raise funds for candidates who oppose women’s equitable access to health care.

No, President Bush visits Wisconsin to raise funds for candidates who oppose the culture of death that Planned Parenthood fosters.

Notice PPWI echoes the Dem talking point that Bush isn't giving proper attention to the terror plot.

“Bush’s choice to visit to Wisconsin at this tenuous time sheds a bright light on one of the President’s top priorities; raising money to assist candidates who oppose women’s access to birth control and stem cell research, like Mark Green and John Gard,” stated Lisa Boyce, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. “Unlike George Bush, Mark Green and John Gard, the people of Wisconsin value access to health care and life saving technologies. Thanks to high profile visits from ideologues like President Bush, voters of Wisconsin are much more aware of Green and Gard’s extreme stances on critical health care issues impacting the women of Wisconsin.”

It's insane to suggest that one of Bush's top priorities is opposing "women's access to birth control and stem cell research."

Bush, Green, and Gard support a Culture of Life. They DO NOT oppose health care for women. They DO NOT oppose life saving technologies.

PPWI is taking a cue from Jim Doyle and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin by charging that Republicans are against stem cell research.

NOT TRUE. NOT TRUE. NOT TRUE.

LIE. LIE. LIE.

They make no distinction between embryonic and adult stem cell research.

To the contrary, Bush, Green, and Gard respect life and will fight to protect it.

And here's some bad news for the Culture of Death crowd:

Adult mouse cells coaxed to act like embryonic ones

It's becoming more and more clear that realizing the promise of stem cell research does not require the cloning and the destruction of human life.

Throughout his tenure in the Legislature, Gard has received a 0% rating from PPAWI for his failure to support initiatives to enhance women’s access to health care and his efforts to actively support and advance bills that impair women’s access to basic health care. Take a look at the latest initiatives Gard supported in the 2005-2006 legislative session:

It's a plus for Gard that he has received a 0% rating from the Abortion Mill of Wisconsin.

I don't consider killing babies to be "basic health care," but hey, that's just me.

-The UW Birth Control Ban (AB 343), which would ban the prescribing, dispensing and advertising of birth control on all UW campuses.

This is about dispensing the "morning after or abortion pill."

-The Patient Abandonment Bill (AB 207), which endangers women’s health by allowing providers to deny women vital information and access to health care services, including birth control and abortion referrals, even when a woman’s life depends on it.

This refers to the "Conscience Clause," which would allow health care workers to refuse to engage in pratices that they consider morally abhorrent. Should a nurse be forced to participate in an abortion procedure known as "brain suction"?

It's usually a late-term, third trimester abortion. The baby is positioned to be a breech delivery. Then, the entire infant is delivered except for its head. At that point, a sharp instrument is forced into the base of the baby's skull, and a tube is inserted into the skull to suck out the baby's brain. After the baby has been killed, it is fully delivered and discarded.

PPWI doesn't do a very good job of explaining AB 207.

-The Teen Endangerment (AB 175), which threatens young women’s lives and health by dangerously restricting the most vulnerable teens’ access to abortion services, such as those who are abused or victims of rape.

This is a parental consent bill.

-The Junk Science Bill (SB 138), which mandates that doctors tell all women contemplating abortion medically inaccurate and scientifically unfounded information in an effort to coerce women to make specific medical decisions.

Of course, PPWI doesn't want women to be informed. They want women to think that the developing baby about to be killed is just a formless mass of tissue.

They are afraid that women will not go forward with an abortion if they are informed. They consider education to be coercion.

-The Lethal Weapons Bill (SB 403), which would allow concealed and lethal weapons into family planning facilities like Planned Parenthood.

This is such a ridiculous stretch. Statistics show that a Concealed Carry bill would not threaten the lives of women.

FORTY-EIGHT states allow concealed carry. Only Wisconsin and Illinois do not.

“John Gard has already done enough damage in the Wisconsin Legislature,” said Boyce. “With an increase in the number of barriers to women who are trying to access basic health care and decreasing health outcomes for maternal and child health in our state, it’s clear that John Gard is bad for women and bad for Wisconsin. Voters should not send him to Washington to join Bush and wreak even more havoc by playing politics with women’s health and lives.”

John Gard is not bad for women. He's not bad for Wisconsin.

Voters in the 8th Congressional District should send him to Washington to join President Bush so he can work with him to protect the health and lives of women -- born and unborn.

A Working Vacation

Sometimes, I can't believe the propaganda trash that passes for hard news at The New York Times.

I know it's a liberal rag. It freely publishes leaks containing information that could compromise our national security. It's reasonable to argue that it has an anti-American agenda.

Arthur Sulzberger has made it clear on many occasions that he will do anything he can to derail the Bush presidency, showing no regard for the safety of Americans at home or the troops abroad.

None of that is funny; but this article by Sheryl Gay Stolberg is such a reach that you have to laugh.

Unlike last summer, when the media obsessed about President Bush's vacation, this year there have been relatively few mentions of his LONG absence from Washington.

For one, his vacation is shorter this year.

Mainly, I think the reason that there's less talk about Bush's Texas downtime is that there's so much else for the media to cover. The Israeli - Hezbollah conflict has kept the media busy -- so many photos to doctor, so much news to stage. Moaning about Bush's long vacation isn't a priority this summer.

That's what makes this article in The Times noteworthy.

A day after the disruption of the biggest terrorist plot since 9/11, The Times chooses to highlight Bush's vacation time and question his engagement in protecting the nation.

CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug 10 -- President Bush tried to assure Americans on Thursday that antiterrorism measures taken since the Sept. 11 attacks had made them safer while acknowledging that danger remained — part of a balancing act in which his aides portrayed him as deeply involved in dealing with the foiled airline plot even as he continued his vacation here.

How silly is that?

"His aides portrayed him as deeply involved...even as he continued his vacation."

That is funny, in that MoveOn, Michael Moore, Leftist wacko way.

As Americans stood in long lines at airports, Mr. Bush went ahead with his planned trip to Wisconsin to raise money for a Republican Congressional candidate and to speak about the economy during a stop at a metal factory. He made brief remarks about the arrests in Britain on the tarmac of the airport in Green Bay, saying the plot was “a stark reminder” of the threat from “Islamic fascists.”

What is the President supposed to do?

Is it his fault that terrorists are plotting to kill Americans by blowing commercial planes out of the sky?

The fact that there needs to be heightened security that results in lines at airports is no reason for Bush to alter his schedule.

Was he supposed to go to an airport and help screen passengers instead of coming to Green Bay?

“The country is safer than it was prior to 9/11,” he said in Green Bay. “We’ve taken a lot of measures to protect the American people. But obviously, we’re still not completely safe, because there are people that still plot and people who want to harm us for what we believe in.”

He later flew back to his ranch here, and aides said there were no plans for him to cut short his stay.

Democrats seized on Mr. Bush’s decision not to return to Washington as evidence that the president was disconnected.

Several senior Republican strategists were also uneasy with the possibility that images of President Bush’s activities in the past week, including bicycle rides in the 100-degree Texas heat, could be used to accuse him of being too casual about the potential terrorist threat.

I'd like the names of the "several senior Republican strategists." They are clueless and a drag on the Party.

Only an idiot would think that President Bush doesn't know what's going on.

Guess what?

He has access to phones at the ranch and when he's on the road!

White House officials said Mr. Bush was kept closely apprised of the investigation, through classified briefings conducted in a secure trailer on the ranch. Mr. Bush was at the ranch on Wednesday afternoon when his homeland security adviser, Frances Fragos Townsend, called to tell him the arrests were imminent; the two spoke several times throughout the evening, a senior administration official said, and by late Wednesday night, with the bulk of the arrests having been made, the president signed off on the plan to raise the threat level.

This paragraph shows how lame the article is.

Clearly, Bush is not disconnected. Stolberg details that he's completely engaged.

But now that Americans have learned of the plot, some Republicans, when promised anonymity so they could speak freely about their criticisms, said Mr. Bush had to be careful not to appear out of touch, as his critics and even some of his allies said he did last summer when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.

At a time when Congressional Republicans are facing tough re-election battles at home, they lamented that the president was not doing more to seize the mantle of national security.

“A policy of casual nonchalance is not a winning strategy,” said one Republican close to the White House, who suggested that the president should, at the least, deliver a primetime television address from the Crawford ranch.

I could not care less what these anonymous Republicans think.

I think its funny that The Times will protect Republican Bush critics, but it will race to publish leaks that compromise national security.

Yes, The Times is so concerned about protecting "some Republicans," but when the White House appeals to the paper to hold a story, forget it.

Instead, Mr. Bush stuck to his schedule; after Thursday’s metal plant tour, he attended a fund-raiser for John Gard, a candidate for an eastern Wisconsin Congressional seat; the event raised $500,000. On Friday, he will travel down the road from his ranch, Prairie Chapel, to the Broken Spoke, a neighboring ranch, for another fund-raiser.

So what?

Isn't Stolberg aware of Times columnist Thomas Friedman's book, The World is Flat?

Newsflash: You're connected even if you're at the Broken Spoke.

“The government functions even when the president is residing in Texas,” said Dan Bartlett, counselor to the president. “The president is never off the job; he has been working around the clock, as the American people would expect.”

One high-level administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said White House aides were concerned that the president would be open to accusations he was politicizing the crisis if he responded dramatically. This official said a decision had been made in part for the president to keep a low profile and allow the event to speak for itself.

Again with the speaking on condition of anonymity.

What a joke!

So either Bush is disconnected or he's exploiting the event -- damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

During his vacation in Crawford, which began last Thursday, the president’s public comments have been focused largely on the Middle East, particularly over the weekend and Monday, when he was joined at the ranch by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Stephen J. Hadley, the national security adviser.

I think that would be because the Middle East is on the front burner.

This terror plot just became public.

But over the past 7 to 10 days, according to a senior administration official who spoke anonymously about how Mr. Bush handled the plot inquiry behind the scenes, it became clear that the British investigation had “a significant U.S. element to it.” By Friday, the investigation had become “a significant focus” of the president’s morning intelligence briefings, the official said.

While Ms. Rice and Mr. Hadley were at the Crawford Middle School on Sunday, taping appearances on the morning talk shows about the crisis in Lebanon and Israel, Mr. Bush spent 47 minutes on the telephone with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. “At that point here was no sense of timing as far as when the takedown would take place,’’ the official said.

Stolberg again is making the point that Bush is engaged.

That began to change late Tuesday and early Wednesday, and by Wednesday afternoon, with the arrests imminent, Ms. Townsend placed her call to Mr. Bush at the ranch. Though the arrests continued through the night, Mr. Bush was not awakened.

“By the time he went to bed more than half the operation had already taken place,” the official said. “The key people that we were particularly concerned about had already been arrested.”

Unbelievable.

Is Bush supposed to stay up around the clock monitoring everything?

That's ridiculous.

By Thursday morning, with Mr. Bush headed for Wisconsin to deliver a speech on the economy during the metal factory tour, the question at the White House was how the president should address the public.

Last month, Mr. Bush used a speech on the economy at the port of Miami to talk about the Middle East. This time, he spoke directly to the press corps at the airport, in the shadow of Air Force One at a microphone set up for his arrival.

...The remarks lasted two minutes, and the president took no questions.

I think the President said all that needed to be said.

Should he have been bouncing around doing a victory dance about foiling the plot? That wouldn't have gone over too well.

I wonder. Exactly how many minutes of remarks would have satisfied the libs? And why would he take any questions?

The Times desperately wants to bash Bush's handling of the thwarting of this terror plot, but there's absolutely nothing there to bash.

Wisconsin Welcomes the President

Today, President Bush will be taking some time away from the Western White House in Crawford, Texas to visit Wisconsin.

He'll arrive in Ashwaubenon in the morning.

From WBAY:

The president is set to give a speech on the economy at Fox Valley Metal-Tech in Ashwaubenon. From there, he heads to a private luncheon at a Hobart home, which is a fund raiser for Republican Congressional candidate John Gard.

People who live in that Hobart neighborhood are excited about the visit but not everyone welcomes it.

Signs of support hang high on the house hosting the president Thursday, but just down the street and around the corner, another sign went up that isn't so inviting. Joan Mills put the sign in her front yard.

"I wanted to show that not everybody supports George Bush. I think Republicans as well as Democrats are very unhappy with the situation in this country now," she said.

The sign reads, "I am George Bush and I approved this mess."

Mills wanted the sign to turn heads. "This morning somebody drove by and hit the brakes and backed up to read it."

She also wanted to make sure her voice was heard. "The people that drive by give me the thumbs up, and this is a Republican neighborhood," she notes, "so that makes me happy."

But her sign isn't making everybody here. "I just think it's ridiculous. I mean, just let it be," says Nanette Shelley, who supports President Bush's visit. Her husband is attending the event.

Shelley said she doesn't think anyone going should see the sign. "I think they should keep their opinions. It's not protesting. I don't think they should bring that into the neighborhood. I could see if it's outside the neighborhood but I don't think the kids need to be involved in that."

"Just let him come in and leave," she said.

Mills doesn't know how long she'll keep her sign up or if the president's motorcade will even go past her house. Regardless, she says, it's likely not the last sign she'll put in her yard.

Eight years ago, if President Clinton was going to be attending an event in my neighborhood, I wouldn't have put up a sign saying, "I am Bill Clinton and I approved this mess."

Mills has a right to express herself, but she's not really accomplishing anything. In my opinion, she's venting in a rather childish fashion.

While the President will be lending his support to John Gard, Nancy Nusbaum will be holding an event of her own -- a FREE breakfast with vets and military families.

Nusbaum is really hung up on the $1000 a plate fundraiser that the President is doing for John Gard. She's acting like it's some sort of sleazy move. Politicians hold fundraisers all the time.

Earlier this summer, Howard Dean and Jim Doyle got cozy at a fundraiser in Milwaukee. So what?

Russ Feingold was in the Milwaukee area just yesterday campaigning for Jim Sullivan for state senate. Feingold appeared at a fundraising event at the home of Mark and Elani Geinopolos in Elm Grove.

Sponsorship levels for the fundraiser:

Hosts $1000, Sponsors $500, Friends $250, Supporters $100.

All personal and conduit contributions gratefully accepted.

Sorry no PAC or corporate checks. Contribute online via secure server at www.sullivanforsenate.com.

That's politics as usual. Nusbaum needs to get a grip.

Greg Borowski notes that state Dems will be staging an event before the President's arrival.

State Democrats, meanwhile, will be holding a news conference and rally at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Brown County Courthouse to get in some pre-criticism of the visit. The party plans to highlight stem cell research.

That would pick up an issue Democrats and Gov. Jim Doyle are using against Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mark Green, whose House seat Gard hopes to fill. The three Democrats running for the seat - Steve Kagan, Nancy Nusbaum and Jamie Wall - are to attend.

What is with these Dems and stem cell research?

I suppose the rally will include the same old lies and distortions about stem cell research that the DPW has been regurgitating for what seems like forever.

If the Dems want to get the voters' attention, they should vow not to increase taxes, or better yet, cut them.

That's a winning issue, not stem cell research scare tactics based on flat out lies.

I'm surprised that the Wisconsin Dems seem to want to put all their eggs into the "cloning and destruction of embyros" basket.

Instead of criticizing the President's visit and his fundraiser for John Gard, the Dems should consider focusing on a positive message about their agenda for Wisconsin.

That's the problem. They don't have one. Subsequently, the Dems are on the attack, taking the shrill, negative stuff to the people.

Personally, I don't find that approach appealing.

Bush Stumps for Gard

I found this appeal from Nancy Nusbaum's campaign to be rather amusing.

Nusbaum is hoping to use President Bush's visit to Green Bay as a fundraising opportunity for her campaign. She's so excited about it that she's counting down the days.

COUNTDOWN TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S GREEN BAY VISIT

In just ten days, on August 10th, President Bush will be in Green Bay to raise campaign cash for the likely Republican in this race, John Gard. This visit comes less than six months after Dick Cheney came to Green Bay to help Gard stockpile money for his Congressional Race.

The Republicans want desperately to hold this seat and they have turned on their money machine. Bush has raised close to $1 million for other Congressional candidates and there is no reason to expect he won't do the same for Gard.

Nancy Nusbaum needs your immediate help to combat this Republican money machine. Nancy does not have the White House to help her fundraise. But Nancy has you! Please click here to contribute $50 to Nancy Nusbaum's campaign to help Nancy compete financially with the Bush fundraising machine.

www.nancy2006.com/donate.php

George Bush and the Republicans have already had a major negative impact on the lives of the people in Northeast Wisconsin.

This administration is responsible for the misguided and unacceptable war in Iraq, that has caused more than 2500 deaths of American soliders.

This administration is responsible for the skyrocketing gasoline and home heating oil prices.

This administration is responsible for cutting higher education assistance and leaving too many children behind.

Please stand with Nancy Nusbaum against John Gard and George Bush. Please contribute $50 today to help Nancy continue to run a strong campaign to help the hard working families of Northeast Wisconsin.

www.nancy2006.com/donate.php

We need you now more than ever!

Jennifer Pihlaja

Campaign Manager

Nusbaum for Congress

P.S. George Bush and the Republicans have had a major negative impact on our lives. Your $50 contribution will help stop them!

www.nancy2006.com/donate.php

_________________________________

I think it's funny that the Nusbaum campaign considers President Bush and Vice President Cheney to be a plus for John Gard.

This Nusbaum fundraising appeal is based on the fact that Bush and Cheney bring in big bucks for Republican candidates.

All the President and Vice President have to do is show up, give a relatively brief address, and the money rolls in.

It's true. Gard will benefit when the President visits. He'll benefit big time.

But wait...

Why would that be? How is that possible?

I keep hearing that Republican candidates want nothing to do with Bush. His approval ratings are so low and his policies are so unpopular that candidates find it necessary to distance themselves from the President if they hope to have any chance of winning.

And why would any candidate want to be associated with Cheney, the antichrist?

Last week, Dana Milbank wrote:

[There's] a growing sense among Republicans that if they are to retain their majorities in Congress, they may have to throw the president under the train in all but the safest, reddest states.

Milbank's theory doesn't apply to Wisconsin.

It's a battleground state that went blue in the 2004 election. Wisconsin is not even close to being a safe, red state. Nevertheless, Republican candidates here are welcoming the assistance of President Bush.

Bush is hardly being thrown under the train, far from it.

Obviously, Bush is not the political poison that Dem strategists consider him to be.

Of course, the 8th Congressional District is a red area of the state; but still, if Bush is so dangerous and such a liability, Wisconsin Republicans wouldn't want him to set foot in the state.

President Bush just did a fundraising event for Mark Green in very, very blue Milwaukee.

Green didn't think that associating with Bush would hamper his efforts to be Wisconsin's next governor.

And I'm sure if Wisconsin had a viable candidate running against Herb Kohl, that candidate would have welcomed the help of the White House.

If Tommy Thompson had decided to take Kohl on, do you think that he would have thrown Bush under the train? Of course not.

I predict that Bush will not be in the state to campaign for Robert Lorge. Whenever I think about the lack of a Republican challenger for Kohl, I get so ticked off...

I digress.

I also think Nusbaum's release is funny in that it reiterates the typical negative, anti-Bush Dem talking points/lies while simultaneously implying that Bush is a positive for the Gard campaign and gives him an edge.

She's following Howard Dean's grand plan of turning this Congressional race into a referendum on Bush.

The release asks people to "stand with Nancy Nusbaum against John Gard and George Bush."

Gard = Bush = BAD

But the people of Northeastern Wisconsin don't all see it that way.

Is Nusbaum considering many 8th District voters to be too stupid to realize how bad Bush is for the country?

In fact, so many people approve of Gard standing with Bush that she needs to ask for financial help to offset all the money that the event with Bush will bring in to Gard's campaign.

I think Dean's plan to make the 2006 election about Bush, across the board, is seriously flawed.

Americans may not be thrilled with the President right now; but that doesn't mean that the majority of Americans are embracing the Dems' vision for the country.

By the way, what is the Dems' vision for the country?

Culture of Casinos

Try this word association game.

When you hear the name "Jim Doyle," what's the first word that comes to mind?

CASINOS

Since Jim Doyle become governor, it seems that Wisconsin state government has become a subsidiary of the casinos.

The officials with ties to gaming interests, the millions of dollars -- new connections just keep popping up.

Casino influence permeates the Doyle administration. It's steeped in it.

Madison -- A state official who helped negotiate a casino agreement with the Oneida tribe previously worked for that tribe as a lobbyist.

Sean Dilweg, the chief aide to Administration Secretary Stephen Bablitch, said he did not believe his ties to the tribe constituted a conflict of interest. Dilweg lobbied for the tribe - along with two dozen other clients - in 2000 and 2001. In January 2003, he took the state job and immediately started working on negotiations with the Oneida and other tribes.

Dilweg noted that the deals he helped broker with the Oneida and the other tribes quadrupled the amount of money the tribes were to pay the state in 2004 for the right to operate casinos, bringing it to more than $100 million.

...Dilweg's brother, Rory, worked as a lawyer for the Oneida for six years, serving as interim chief counsel for two years.

...Rory Dilweg now works as a lawyer on behalf of the Menominee tribe, which is trying to establish a casino in Kenosha. He is navigating the tribe's application through the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and is not a negotiator for the tribe.

...State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), co-chairman of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, said he didn't think Sean Dilweg should be interacting with the Menominee while his brother works for the tribe.

"You've got someone at the very tip-top of state government and, obviously, his brother's making great big money to do the work of the tribe," Fitzgerald said. "Legally, I don't know that there's anything wrong, but it sure doesn't look right."

As for the Oneida, Fitzgerald said he was concerned that Sean Dilweg had worked for the tribe a year before moving to the state. He said he was also troubled by Rory Dilweg's earlier involvement with the tribe.

...Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo), who is running for Green's congressional seat, said the situation cried out for legislative oversight of casinos.

"If the Legislature had more oversight, you would be able to eliminate any appearance of conflict of interest," Gard said.

Doyle twice vetoed bills allowing such oversight.

John Gard is right.

It's ridiculous that there's no legislative oversight.

There has to be some checks and balances.

It's time for King Jim's casino reign to be reined in.

Republican Gard: Rubber Stamp of the Week

Republican John Gard, candidate for U.S. Congress, has been honored by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Every week the DCCC will announce a new “Rubber Stamp of the Week,” highlighting one Republican who has made a name for him or herself by walking in lock-step with George Bush to the detriment of the families they represent.

This week's "Rubber Stamp" is Wisconsin's John Gard.

I think he's an odd selection.

Gard is currently a STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

"Lock-step with George Bush"?

Uh, sure.
The Rubber Stamp Record page is actually sort of funny.

A favorite source used by the DCCC is The Capitol Times, Madison's exceedingly fair, balanced, unbiased newspaper of record.

The site breathlessly goes into how House Republicans voted on the minimum wage.

"Republicans in Congress Voted Against Increasing the Minimum Wage. Twice."

So what?

Gard isn't in Washington. He didn't "rubber stamp" ANYTHING there.

It's not surprising though that the main issue the DCCC complains about in regard to Gard is the minimum wage. The Dems are trying to hit Republicans hard on that in Congressional races all over the country.

Apparently, the DCCC couldn't come up with much else to use against Gard.

The only other issues raised by the DCCC:

"Taking A Page Out of the Washington Republican Playbook?
Gard Held Special Interest Fund-Raisers While State Budget Was In Crisis."

"Gard Took More Out-Of-District Donations Than Any Other Candidate."

"Gard Criticized For Collecting A Daily Expense Allowance He Is Not Entitled To."

Blah, blah, blah.

Sorry, but Gard has NOT made a name for himself by walking in lock-step with George Bush.

That's just goofy.

The DCCC's tactics do illustrate the Dem strategy of turning the 2006 election into a referendum on the President.

The Dems are assuming that Bush's low approval ratings will translate into victory for Dem candidates.

That's a leap.

Voters are not so unsophisticated as to believe that a given candidate is a Bush clone just because he or she is running as a Republican.

In the 1998 election, did voters believe that every Dem candidate would have an inappropriate relationship with an intern if elected?

That's just silly. Americans are smarter than that.

Moreover, the Dems are making a mistake by assuming that voters are rejecting conservative views because they aren't thrilled with Bush at the moment.

Do they really think that the millions of voters who elected a Republican president, Senate, and House in 2004 have been converted to Liberalism?

I guess they do.

In a way, John Gard should be proud to be targeted by the DCCC.

I think he scares the Dems.

Too Little, Too Late

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle altered his usual Friday schedule.

Instead of issuing his normal slew of Friday vetoes, he went to Milwaukee to appear with Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Nan Hegerty.

His visit was no doubt the result of noting that Republican candidate for governor Mark Green was seizing on Doyle's inattentiveness to the problem of violence in the state's largest city.

Republican attorney general candidate Paul Bucher also pointed out that Doyle and AG Peg Lautenschlager failed to swiftly respond to the violent weekend in Milwaukee with concrete measures. On Wednesday, he called on them "to release funding for an immediate increased police presence in Milwaukee County."

Doyle spokesman Matt Canter said Doyle had been "in serious conversation with the city" constantly since the weekend shootings and would lead an effort to address the issue. Doyle's physical presence in the city wasn't necessary, Canter said.

Apparently, after days of dawdling, Doyle's physical presence in the city was determined to be necessary.

Of course, it certainly wasn't necessary for Doyle to be in Milwaukee for him to offer Barrett funds to deal with the violence problem.

So why was he in Milwaukee?

Self-interest. Pure self-interest.

Doyle's slow-witted handlers finally realized that it was a mistake politically to ignore the explosion of violence in Milwaukee.

As the week went on, it became clear that it was becoming increasingly damaging for Doyle to be seen as disinterested in controlling crime in the state.

The result: a high profile news conference.

With Tom "I'm outraged" Barrett at his side, Doyle played Santa Claus.

From The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Appearing at City Hall with several officials, Gov. Jim Doyle announced the state would give Milwaukee $500,000 to expand a teen work program, and provide another $200,000 for police overtime. In addition, he said he would seek up to $1 million from the Legislature, all of which would go to Milwaukee police.

"Today we are taking decisive action to put more police on the street and kids to work, so that we all can enjoy a safe summer in Milwaukee," Doyle said, standing with the mayor, police chief and others.

Although Memorial Day weekend was particularly violent in Milwaukee, shootings and homicides are not all that unusual in certain areas of the city. Last year was one of Milwaukee's bloodiest, yet suddenly, violence is an issue.

It's unfortunate that it took a re-election campaign for Doyle to address the problem. "Unfortunate" isn't the right word. "Disgusting" might be more fitting.

Yes, it's disgusting that Doyle chooses to act now after years of negligence.

...At City Hall, Barrett said the half-million dollars from the state will put more than 1,000 teens to work this year.

"I agree with the governor that the best crime fighting program, many times, is a job," Barrett said.

What kind of jobs will these be?

Will they offer the same perks as being a gang member?

I suspect that they won't.

While teens will benefit from these employment opportunities, I'd be surprised if the gun-toting teens will seek them out.

In other words, I doubt that this additional funding will make a difference.

Rep. Mark Green of Green Bay, the Republican Party nominee for governor, said Friday he supports Doyle's call for more federal and state dollars to fight violence in Milwaukee.

...Green also said Doyle waited too long to tackle Milwaukee's violence problems.

"It's unfortunate that the governor has waited three a half years to take this up," Green added. "I wouldn't have needed to be prodded by the tragic violence over the Memorial Day weekend."

To be fair, after over three years in office, how can Doyle be expected to have taken up the problem of violence in the city?

His veto obsession leaves him little time to do much else.

Give him a break. Property tax freeze bills, concealed carry bills, voter photo ID bills -- so many vetoes, so little time.

Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) said he had not seen details of the governor's request for $1 million for a new Milwaukee anti-violence effort. And, Gard said, it could be a "tough sell" in the full Legislature if the governor's proposal would give $1 million only to Milwaukee in the months before his November re-election, while offering no additional help to other parts of the state.

Politically speaking, it doesn't matter if the Legislature refuses to buy into Doyle's plan. All that matters is that Doyle can point out that he wanted to fund anti-crime efforts for Milwaukee.

This proposed money drop on Milwaukee is about Doyle's campaign for governor, not a campaign to alleviate crime in the city.

A competent governor would have addressed the matter long ago.
__________________________________

Joint Press Release by Doyle and Barrett

Constituents Boo Feingold

Vice President Cheney was in Wisconsin today to speak at a sold-out fundraiser for Wisconsin State Representative John Gard.

Cheney had some things to say about Russ Feingold's censure stunt, and so did Wisconsinites.

From the Associated Press:

Democrats distanced themselves Monday from Wisconsin Sen. Russell Feingold's effort to censure President Bush over domestic spying.

The White House hit back at the same time, Vice President Dick Cheney telling a fundraiser in Feingold's home state that the resolution was an "outrageous proposition."

As the crowd in De Pere, Wis., booed Feingold's effort, Cheney said, "Don't hold back."

Feingold's fellow Democrats did just that Monday, with several saying they wanted first to see the Senate Intelligence Committee finish an investigation of the warrantless wiretapping program that Bush authorized as part of his war on terrorism.

Asked at a news conference whether he would vote for the censure resolution, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada declined to endorse it and said he hadn't read it.

...Cheney dared other Democrats to support Feingold's resolution.

"The outrageous proposition that we ought to protect our enemies' ability to communicate as it plots against America poses a key test of our Democratic leaders," he said. "Do they support the extreme and counterproductive antics of a few or do they support a lawful program vital to the security of this nation?

"The American people already made their decision," Cheney added. "They agree with the president."

I want to see a vote on Feingold's resolution.

I want to know where 2008 presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and Joe Biden stand.

I want every senator to be on the record on this one.

What a gift that will be to the Republicans!