Steve Wagener's blog

So you ask, "Why the heck would you vote for that creep?" After all, "Don't you claim to be a liberal, a progressive?" My answer, "Yes I am, and that is precisely why I voted for Rick Santorum in the GOP primary." I also think that is why Rick Santorum carried Eau Claire County.  

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram covered this story on the front page today. The headline is: "Region went for Santorum". Unfortunately the reporting in this article never went into why Santorum may have won. I think I know why but I'm not sure if I have the energy or the desire to go into all the necessary groundwork to find the answer. So let me give you my theory. 

Moulton - Bernier: Terry Moulton with Kathy Bernier. April 19, 2011.

I'm sure there are a good number of people in Wisconsin's 23rd Senate District, who've been earnestly working on gathering signatures for the REKAWLs, that run into people who will sign a petition to REKAWL Scott Walker but hesitate or refuse to sign a petition to REKAWL Senator Terry Moulton. I've heard people say that their fight is with the Governor and Moulton was just doing what his party bosses were telling him. I'm not sure I understand that logic. I wonder how often the GOP leadership is taking into consideration how we are represented in the Senate. Setting the "just following party bosses" discussion aside, let's look at Terry Moulton's voting record to determine if he represents you. This is the only true way one can evaluate a politician. A politician's vote (or abstentions) represents 100% of their effectiveness in representing their constituents.   

Today Rich Spindler, an Eau Claire resident and parent announced that he will begin circulating his nomination papers for the Eau Claire School District School Board. Rarely do school districts get enough people to run for school board positions.  The Eau Claire District is privileged to have a new candidate with Rich's credentials and skills.

Late last summer I had the privilege of meeting Rich Spindler for coffee. Rich was just starting to tell others about his intended candidacy and I felt privileged to sit with him to understand why he wanted this position. That Friday morning when he came into the coffee shop with his bicycle helmet tucked under his arm, I caught my first glimpse of a man that not only talks the talk but walks the walk. Or is it rides the trail. 

But I Still Keep My Subscription 

Solidarity Walker

I spent the majority of my last two weeks canvassing outside of my county in two of the most historical elections in Wisconsin's history. Many of you reading this are probably saying something like, "Well  he should be working for a cause." or "That Steve, he just likes to talk." or "It's about time he gets off his ass and does something." I'm sure many of you may be saying something quite different as well. If a common Wisconsin media outlet were to have covered me here's likely what the "story" would say: 

Headline: Dem Canvasser Makes Little if any Impact in Recall Races

On April 21 the Eau Claire County Democratic Party held an Earth Day rally. Despite the cool and windy weather, a crowd of about 100 people showed up. Many of attendees brought signs in protest of REKAWL Walker.

There were several people who addressed the crowd including: Former Representative Jeff Smith of the 93rd Assembly District, Duke Welter of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board; outdoor journalist Dave Carlson of the WQOW 18 show, Northland Adventures; Eau Claire County Board Chair Greg Moore; Tom Stolp, Field Director for the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters; and Former Representative Kristen Dexter of the 68th Assembly District.

The Oshkosh Northwestern is reporting today that the recall petition drive is near the end for Senator Randy Hopper's (R-Fond du Lac) senate seat. Organizers say they think they have enough and they are going over them one more time before they submit them.

Hopper is probably feeling pretty defeated already. A few weeks ago when the petition drive had just started, petitioners knocked on Hopper's home in Fond du Lac only to discover they were talking to the disgruntled estranged wife of Hopper. She raised some questions about Hopper's residency that then gave the press some insights into his new girlfriend. Uppity has been covering this little escapade so if you need more of the details here are the links. 

The latest on the pending Eau Claire School board race is about David Westrate. Some of his investment schemes of the 90's put him in the category of a mini-Koch brother. 

David Westrate started his write-in candidacy with an announcement that brought up some immediate questions. Westrate began by announcing that people should be voting for him and current school board president, Dr. Carol Craig. Westrate's announcement sounded like an endorsement but it wasn't too long after his announcement that Carol Craig made the following statement:

The Joint Finance Committee has scheduled four public hearings on the Biennial Budget Bill. The dates, times and location of the hearings are:

·        Thursday, April 7 (10 am – 6 pm). UW-Stevens Point (Lee Dreyfus University Center, Melvin Laird Room, Stevens Point) 

·        Friday, April 8 (10 am – 5 pm). Northwood School Richard’s Auditorium, Highway 53, Minong. 

·        Monday, April 11 (10 am – 6 pm). State Fair Park, Expo Center Hall A, West Allis. 

·        Wednesday, April 13. (10 am – 6 pm). Arcadia High School Auditorium, Arcadia.