Mark Neumann and Scott Walker: Jobs

Mark Neumann went on offense yesterday.

He's not focusing his attacks on Democrat Tom Barrett. He's at war with Scott Walker.

Here's a release from Neumann's campaign:

STATEMENT FROM MARK NEUMANN

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Feb. 24, 2010 - Gubernatorial candidate Mark Neumann today questioned the qualifications of his primary election opponent, Scott Walker, to make claims regarding bringing jobs to Wisconsin.

Walker and Democrat Tom Barrett hold the top political positions in the largest metropolitan area in Wisconsin. They are the leaders of Milwaukee and have been for six and eight years, respectively.

Recent studies found that Milwaukee is doing even worse than nearly anywhere else in the country. Milwaukee has lost more jobs on a percentage basis than any other major metropolitan area except Detroit. A second study shows similar results, with Milwaukee being the third worst in terms of job loss. A third study looks at small business climate in Milwaukee and finds it to be the 96th worst of the 100 areas in America that the study reviewed.

“The Milwaukee area was once the envy of the nation, but my opponent’s track record makes it borderline ridiculous that he would now claim to have a plan to bring jobs to Wisconsin.

“If Scott Walker had a plan to bring jobs to Wisconsin he should have implemented it in Milwaukee sometime during the last eight years. It is very telling that metro Milwaukee suffered far worse than virtually the rest of the nation in job losses and overall climate for small business development.

“It is more politics as usual from a career politician who has little real world experience outside his government office. Promise the world to get elected and try to hide from your record. The people of our great state will evaluate my opponents on their records. They must each be held accountable for their part in the Milwaukee area’s massive job losses.

“Six months ago, I released a detailed plan to balance the state budget, lower taxes and create a business climate that will encourage businesses to stay in Wisconsin and expand, and also to attract businesses with their jobs from all over the world.

“As Walker and Barrett stood by watching as the metro Milwaukee area bled jobs, I have been in the private sector creating jobs – even expanding my businesses last year at the same time metro Milwaukee was posting record job losses.

“Before my opponents make lofty promises without a shred of detail or any evidence that they are actually up to the task, they should first explain why metro Milwaukee has lost more jobs than virtually every other major area in the nation.”

I don't like these sort of tactics at all. I expect Walker to deal with sleazy attacks from the Doyle-Barrett Democrats, but not from a fellow Republican.

I know this is the way our system works. We have primaries. That's not the issue. What's disturbing is Neumann's negativity. I see nothing wrong with presenting legitimate differences between candidates, but it's dirty to distort the record and qualifications of one's opponent. It's so much wasted energy.

I'm very disappointed in Neumann.

Tom Barrett and the Democrats have to be loving this.

The Scott Walker campaign answered Neumann's accusations.

Walker Campaign Spokeswoman Jill Bader Statement on Walker’s plan to bring 250,000 jobs to Wisconsin


Wauwatosa – Walker Campaign Spokeswoman Jill Bader today released the following statement on Scott Walker’s plan to bring 250,000 jobs to Wisconsin

“Under Governor Doyle, Wisconsin has become a tax hell that’s bleeding jobs monthly – last year alone we lost 170,000 jobs and that number will continue to grow unless we fundamentally change the way government functions.

When you see that over 250,000 people are out of work in Wisconsin, and the approximately 20% of our citizens who are underemployed or have given up on finding family supporting jobs it’s not only clear we need to reverse the Doyle-Barrett job killing proposals like combined reporting, but we must also jumpstart an aggressive plan to bring these jobs back to Wisconsin like Scott Walker has laid out.

Beginning on Scott’s first day as governor and in every single day in office he will be working to lower the tax burden on families and employers, and ease regulations on businesses to get government out of the way the bring back 250,000 jobs to Wisconsin by the end of his first term.”

Click here for more information more information on Walker’s plan for job growth: http://www.scottwalker.org/press-release/2010/02/scott-walker-unveils-plan-bring-250000-jobs-and-10000-new-businesses-wisconsin

I like that the response from the Walker campaign stayed on message. No need to take direct swipes at Neumann.

Mud-slinging is self-destructive. Walker's taking the high road and showing confidence in his record.