[...] Yeah, only those oblivious to human nature (Like "capper") didn't see this one coming.
Washington (CNN) - Nearly two years into the recession, opinion about which political party is responsible for the severe economic downturn is shifting, according to a new national poll.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday morning' [...]
I've been asked by some people to write down my thoughts on the WI-08 GOP Primary, but I won't for a while. First off is I don't know if this is all the candidates we are going to see yet. Rumors about a possible candidacy by former Green Bay Mayor' [...]
I don't know what's more amazing. That Mary Landrieu went this cheap, or that Reid had the stones to play around with the legislative language the way he did.
What does it take to get a wavering senator to vote for health care reform?
Here’s a case study.
On page 432 of' [...]
Good, this is making the decision to contract out services look smarter by the second.
(It's also making the county housekeepers union look petty.)
One day after the Milwaukee County Board agreed to privatize scores of county housekeepers, 19 of the 25 custodial staff at the Courthouse complex called in sick, [...]
Yeah, this won't end well for this guy. (And being a free-lance photographer doesn't pay well as it is currently.)
What on earth was Sarah Palin thinking when she posed in a pair of teeny-tiny gym shorts for a photograph that ended up on the cover of Newsweek -- a [...]
After the Washington Times wrote about the nomination of former Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler to the federal court, you'd think that'd be it for national newspaper pointing out that he's been twice denied the job by the voters of Wisconsin. But no, today the Wall [...]
(H/T Don Surber)
The controversy at the moment over the Newsweek cover for the moment appears to be whether or not it is sexist (In its current context it is, or at the least it knocks Newsweek down a few pegs on the "Real 'News' Magazine Worth Reading" category.) and [...]
For the record, I know for a fact RPW has a full-time employee who deals with all their "New Media" as well as video editing and other internet and social media needs. On the other hand, DPW has a 20 year-old UW-Madison student as the party's first "New Media Intern."
This [...]
I'm only pointing this out because John Nichols of the Capitol Times of Madison pointed out this weekend on "Upfront with Mike Gousha" that after the Lawton exit, the state Democratic Party is split (What, but the MSM says the civil war is on the GOP side?) and members are' [...]
Green Bay radio personality Jerry Bader returned to the airwaves Monday by thanking his supporters and extending an apology to everyone affected by his suspension.
"One person is responsible for what happened here, and that is me," he said during his first on-air comments since being disciplined. [...]
Don't believe me?
Neither did I at first until I read this report by ABC News.
Here's a stimulus success story: In Arizona's 9th Congressional District, 30 jobs have been saved or created with just $761,420 in federal stimulus spending. At least that's what the website set' [...]
[At least McCain does. (Or in his case, because he's medically inable to type on a BlackBerry or keyboard thanks to years of torture in a Vietnamese prison camp, he dictates his tweets to a staffer)]
According to the Twitter stream, the president was answering a question about [...]
Great lead editorial in the Washington Post -- no member of the vast right-wing conspiracy they -- on the crapfest known as the House Health Care Bill.
HAVING PASSED a health reform bill that is, at least theoretically, paid for, the House of Representatives is poised this week to blow [...]

Ok, so we've all seen "the photo."
I'm gonna shock some folks by saying the following: I have no real issues with a President of the United States of America bowing to the Emperor of Japan.
However...
The issue one should be wondering, is this: Why the hell is he [...]
A week late, and a vote too short; but on the plus side, it makes every single Congressional Democrat in Wisconsin (That'd be you David Obey and Steve Kagen) look like a goof as they tell every media outlet who will cover them how awesome the recently passed House Health' [...]
One of the stories out of the tragedy of Fort Hood has been the reaction of the greater Kiel Community and how it and the surrounding areas have embraced the entire Krueger family following the news of Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger being identified as one of the 13 victims of [...]
Oh, it's a score, but not one for a professional sports league.
It's the count of Democratic House Seats to Republican House seats which could switch hands according to the Cook Political Report. Wisconsin seats making the list include WI-08; in the "Leans Democratic" column, and WI-03; in the "Likely" [...]
With Mike Tate's name attached to this idea, you have to ask yourself...will there be robo-calls?
The Democratic National Committee's Organizing for America program is asking supporters to visit the local offices of Republicans from districts won by Barack Obama last fall to ask why the congressmen "decided to go" [...]
Well, for those wanting to go after me for having "a bad source" from info I was told six weeks ago, if it's any plus, my source's gonna be wrong about where I told him where I'll probably be working.
(Sorry bud.)
Mayor Tom Barrett will announce this weekend that he is' [...]

Thank you Kiel, for being you.
(Photo taken from Journal Sentinel)
The newspaper's caption is : A hearse carrying the body of Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger, 29, who was among those killed last week at Fort Hood, arrives Tuesday in Kiel. Hundreds lined Fremont St. in downtown Kiel to [...]
Terri McCormick, who lost a Republican primary for the 8th District Congressional seat in 2006, has become the sixth Republican to enter the race to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen.
McCormick, who represented the 57th District in the State Assembly for six years, announced her intentions in [...]
To get myself into the mindset of the modern politically-blogging liberal, I like to look back at my old posts from late 2005 and early 2006 when I was frankly cocky, over-confident on my political observations, and thought the 2004 elections meant the Democratic Party was waning and maybe we [...]
Great observation made by my friend Dr. Melissa Clothier on this ad from Reebok.
By the way, the male voice at the end is sort of creepy.
This nonsense is being foisted on women by Reebok. It’s supposed to be an encouragement to what? Wear more revealing tops so guys don’t [...]
(H/T Instapundit)
Via the gang at the Volkh Conspiracy; which shows us our national security was never in better hands.
The Obama Administration’s nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration, Erroll Southers, was censured by the FBI for asking law enforcement personnel to conduct a background check on his ex-wife’s [...]
From the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Employment in Wisconsin is expected to fall nearly 4% this year, hit bottom in early 2010, and return to normal growth in 2011, according to an analysis released Tuesday by the state Department of Revenue.
You can read the entire report here.
[...] Actual, given the likelihood that donations next year will be less because of the economy, this isn't the most outrageous news the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) could come out with. Less money means they'll have to be picky with who they help out in General Election contests. Candidates [...]
Well, this ought to be fun. Too bad we don't put this on "InTrade."
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he will make an announcement by the end of the week on whether he is going to run for governor.
Barrett said he will continue to consult with his family before making' [...]
Since Kurt would be upset with me if I don't point out today is the 234th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps; here is the annual message by the Marine Corps Commandant and Sergeant Major to commemorate the Marines founding at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on this day 1775.
Kurt,' [...]

Great web attack ad by the Sean Duffy campaign regarding Dave Obey's initial reactions to critics of the stimulus, its oversight, and what its [not] been accomplishing since then.
(H/T RSM)
From the Gannett Wisconsin Papers...
Candles held high, Jill Reifsnider and Kristin Thayer hugged and sobbed Sunday night as they paid tribute to and honored the memory of their friend and fallen soldier, Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger.
About 300 friends, family members, military personnel and veterans, as well as the Patriot [...]
From a morning press release via email...
MADISON - The Republican Party of Wisconsin has placed ads in several state newspapers seeking individuals willing to be the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin Governor.
“Not just anybody is going to want to defend what the Democrats have done to the economy and tax climate [...]
Make sure you have them watch this; the official White House YouTube video of the initial reaction to the Fort Hood shooting by President Barack Obama.
I've had more than a few friends -- either those I went to high school with, or knew throughout the greater Kiel community --' [...]
We have two major anniversaries in America this week. On Monday, the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall will take place. On Tuesday, the 40th Anniversary of the start of PBS's "Sesame Street" will take place.
Prediction: The White House will make a bigger deal out of the [...]
(Or Dumb Things Jay Bullock types without thinking...)
Reagan-era unemployment numbers mean we should be demanding a return to Reagan-era tax rates.
Yes, lower them from the current 36% (or is it 40% once Pelosi lets the Bush tax cuts expire?) to the 28% for the [...]
No doubt those following me on Twitter or read this post by fellow Kielite Brad Vogel about Amy Krueger, know she was one of the 13 soldiers killed in the Fort Hood shooting on Thursday. Like Brad, I knew Amy in high school. When I walked the halls of [...]
Madame Speaker must really be bleeding votes if it had to come to this for her; as she's now allowing the U.P.'s Bart Stupak amendment to strip the House Health Care Bill of any federal funding of abortion.
(You know, that thing both President Obama and Congressman Steve Kagen kept lying [...]
Just got this via email:
STATE CAPITOL — Auto insurance consumers are seeing their rates rise by as much as 40 percent as a result of major non-fiscal insurance policy changes that were stuffed into the recent state fiscal budget. In response, State Senator Joe Leibham (R–Sheboygan) has co-authored legislation that [...]
And from what my sources tell me...there will be more.
The Republican field of candidates running to challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, gets bigger today as Howard physician Marc Trager announces his run for Congress.
Trager, who served in the U.S. Air Force, will make a number of [...]
From Politico...discuss.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett met with White House Political Director Patrick Gaspard Wednesday during President Barack Obama's trip to Wisconsin, amid reports that the White House has been urging Barrett to run for governor in 2010.
Barrett and Gaspard spoke before Obama's afternoon speech at a Madison middle school [...]
It's often said Google knows what we're doing. You search for anything, they know it. You view anything on YouTube, they know it. You use their documents programs, they know that.
Heck, the Onion News Network did a hilarious video on all which Google knows about us, they parodied what' [...]
Perhaps the first step for CNN would be to throw Larry King out on an ice flow, and walk away.
For the first time in more than two years, CNN fell out of the top 30 cable channels last week in prime time (total viewers). Fox News ranked 3rd, behind [...]
You never know when they might come in handy.
MSNBC's First Read looked into their archives some four years ago and noticed the spin you're hearing from both the RNC and the DNC appears to have switched locations when comparing the 2005 sweep of New Jersey and Virginia for the' [...]
(Sung to the tune of "Whatever Lola Wants" from Damn Yankees)
Whatever WEAC wants...WEAC gets. And little tax dollar, little WEAC wants you.
When you have WASB; the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, calling foul on something, it's usually a good time to realize WEAC has gone even too far for their [...]
No word yet if it litigation will halt the expected Christmas season release of the eReader by the book-selling giant. (From Mashable)
As the electronic book reader market heats up with a number of new offerings coming up, this was an unexpected flare up: Spring Design, makers of the [...]
I can't believe this only makes former Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown the only option for California Democrats.
Then again, given the state of politics and governance in California, I'm shocked anyone would even want the job at all.
[...]I want all those up in the 8th Congressional District -- including those still fighting the 2006 Campaign -- who are about to be fed the line that "Steve Kagen is his own man" for the next twelve months, to take a look at this from The Hill [...]
With the run-off officially over with the news of challenger Abdullah Abdullah dropping out, the ruling President Hamid Karzai was declared the winner by the nation's elections commission.
Afghan election officials canceled a presidential runoff and proclaimed the reelection of President Hamid Karzai on Monday, a day after Karzai's' [...]
And there were people questioning those of us who said "You know, there's talk if she won she'd just become a Democrat..."
So, Dede Scozzafava; one day after dropping out of the race for New York's 23rd Congressional District, goes and proves those folks right by endorsing Democrat Bill Owens.
Sen.' [...]
Lawton Accepts Bader's Apology
So reports WLUK out of Green Bay. This probably ends it for those two players. All other players, who knows?
Weston High Schoolers Push DUI Petition on Wisconsin Legislators
Smart premise: Get a DUI while in office, resign. Sad part - They got just one taker (so [...]
Via ESPN's "NFC North Blog," which also points out this.
Interesting side note: As a free agent in 2006, Henderson visited the Vikings and entered into negotiations with the team before the Packers re-signed him. Nothing like using a division rival for a little contract leverage.
Since retiring from the NFL [...]

Blame Society Films, the internet sensation from Madison behind "Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager" and other short internet films on YouTube posts this short film of celebrity parody on Halloween Safety.
The voices might be fake, but the tips are real.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone.
[...]From a memo to House Republicans by Alan Meltzer, Economics Professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
There is no greater recognition of the failure of the stimulus program to create jobs than the efforts to mislead the public into believing the program had saved thousands, or millions, of jobs.One can search [...]
Just got this email from Politico.
White House officials, under pressure from the economy's continuing job losses, plan to announce Friday that President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan "has created and saved at least 1 million jobs" since he signed it in February.
Took this picture one day in August when I stopped by Green Bay to watch the Packers practice during training camp. I just liked the juxtaposition of it, if I [...]
Truth be told, I saw this coming when the World Trade Organization recently ruled in Boeing's favor against the European Union's long history of subsidizing Airbus (Airbus has rarely -- if ever -- made a profit without British, French, and German taxpayers forking the bill.). Eventually, some country would [...]
Two men in Iowa attempted to rob an apartment. One problem, they were out of black masks.
Their solution: Permanent Black Marker.
Police had no trouble identifying two men accused of trying to break into a Carroll apartment. Police were responding to a call about an attempted burglary [...]
What?!? It's not THAT Kevin Conroy...
Well color me bummed by this news then.
After two high-profile Democrats have bowed out of the race for governor, a new potential candidate is starting to emerge
Kevin Conroy, CEO of Exact Sciences Corp. in Madison, is actively considering getting in the race, said Joel [...]

Here's hoping it's just a suspension from the air.
Bader is a friend, both on and off-line. Part of it's ideological, part of it's the fact we've both lived and worked in the Sheboygan area for part of our lives. When Jerry was in Washington for' [...]
Oh wait, our side was saying this the entire time.
A new NBER paper from Harvard’s Alberto F. Alesina and Silvia Ardagna (”Large Changes in Fiscal Policy: Taxes Versus Spending”) makes the case for tax cuts over spending as stimulus:
As we well know a very large portion of the [...]
We never got perks like this. Frankly, I was just happy I got to see the White House Christmas decorations. (Sadly no pics, my camera at the time didn't work.)
During his first nine months in office, President Obama has quietly rewarded scores of top Democratic donors with VIP access' [...]
Ok, let's be honest with ourselves. Doyle and Barrett want the Mayor of Milwaukee to take the reins of the failing Milwaukee Public Schools System. It is well-known that Doyle is not shy about praising Barrett about being "his guy" to succeed him as the next Democratic Governor of the' [...]
Wait a minute, people try to scam folks during big sporting events? Who knew?
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is warning football fans that big games such as this weekend's Vikings-Packers game tend to invite ticket scams.
Already this season, one Packers fan paid $4,000 to an online seller for season [...]

I've been asked to pass this on by a friend who would prefer not to be named, so I'm assigning him the pseudonym "Ben Urich." He may or may not be a further contributor.
One justice raises over $20,000 from lawyers before the Court.
That same justice [...]
<sarcasm>Boy, this won't play into the Governor's race speculation at all.</sarcasm>
Bring out the tape recorder and set the DVR. Things are gonna be fun for the next week or so.
President Obama will visit the Madison area on Nov. 4 to speak about education, the White House announced Tuesday.
It will' [...]
I wonder if this is more of a "Howard Stern Effect," (I tune in because I don't know what he's going to say next and I want to hear it.) or the media equivalent of "The Bad Boy Effect" (Daddy says I can't see him, so I'm going to love' [...]
Liberals in Wisconsin who are trying to brush off the "Bader-Lawton Story" must be the same folks who honestly believed Rich Judge had "an illness" in 2006.
Addendum -- Seriously, whack-job lefty bloggers, put the snark down. You guys don't even have a candidate. Remember? How fricken pathetic is that?
[...]Here's hoping it sticks this time.
A Wisconsin lawmaker arrested three times for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 10 months plans expects to enter a Minnesota clinic this week.
State Rep. Jeff Wood told the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire Monday that he expects to enter a stricter, [...]
One of the worst things about either side of the blogosphere is the echo chamber effect. Both sides are guilty of it. If some 'leader' of either side notices something or says something they believe is clever, it will be parroted all throughout cyberspace.
It gets old, quick in my opinion.
So [...]
WTAQ's Jerry Bader on the real reason Barbara Lawton stepped aside today (And it is sudden, she was still getting endorsements this weekend from State Legislators), then the only word to say is...
WOW!
UPDATE 10-27-09 -- Bader has since taken back the story and issued the following statement.
11:23 AM ' [...]
Because "capper" only shows Brett Favre's highlights as a Viking these days...
Get ready Packers fans; and get loud.
And if you need any incentive, please read this website interview done by Favre's college-aged daughter Brittney (H/T Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee), where you can see the brainwashing has taken to her [...]

(H/T The L.A Times)
On sale now, at MLB.com.
The Angels are still alive in the American League championship series, but you wouldn't know it from this Yankee page on the MLB website.
The site proclaims: "Congrats New York Yankees! 2009 American League champs"
That's the banner ad, beneath' [...]
That's the look of things after they bowed to Steelworkers over Chinese tires. (H/T Import Law Blog)
The United States is pressing China to change policies that overfuel its exports and led to President Barack Obama slapping duties on Chinese-made tires last [...]