Kathleen Falk

Tom Barrett already lost in 2010. How can he possibly win in 2012?

• 2010 was one of the worst years for Democrats in modern history. There were very few Democrats left standing.
• It can't be understated that Barrett was still recovering from being beaten repeatedly in the head and upper body by a maniac wielding a tire iron.  He was not only hospitalized after the attack, but had to return to the hospital to have his right hand surgically reconstructed.  So, with pain medication, ongoing therapy, and the physical drain of such a serious injury, he wasn't in peak physical condition to run for governor in 2010.  Barrett simply wasn't on his game the same way he has been historically, and the way he is now.
• Jim Doyle had the unfortunate luck of being governor during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.  Even though Wisconsin was recovering when he left office, most Wisconsinites weren't going to give the incumbent party a third term. 
• Even with all that wind at his back, Barrett only lost to Walker by a 52-47 margin-- and most of that was due to Democrats not getting out to vote. We'll be getting out to vote this time around.
• Barrett is very likeable, and will be a welcome change for those many independents suffering from Walker fatigue.
• Lot of Irish and lot of Catholics in Wisconsin-- in a close election, now is a good time to be running an Irish Catholic Democrat like Barrett.

In an interview with Sly this morning, gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Falk became the first candidate to come out strong against Scott Walker's new Act 10 implementation rule that gives School Boards the "tool" to balance their budgets by not including approximately 30% in teacher salaries that comes from so-called educational add-ons.    (School boards can restore that 30% funding outside of the teacher salary contracts, but the rule will give them the political cover to make pa

He isn't an announced candidate to replace Scott Walker in the recall election, at least not yet, but the Republican Governors Association (RGA) is assuming Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will be in the race. That's why it's begun a heavy TV ad campaign attacking Barrett as an alleged big spender who is responsible for job losses in Milwaukee -- even though he lost to Walker in 2010.

That's right. Even while Walker insists he's not responsible for sizable job losses statewide during the first year he served as governor, Walker's fellow GOP governors say Tom Barrett was responsible for Milwaukee's job downturn in the same period. In Republican circles that passes as common sensical. Or, at least, clever projection.

It's quite reasonable for journalists and others to look carefully at who's supporting our political candidates, and whether those supporters are following our now weakened, laissez faire campaign spending laws. But I'm afraid today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel once again has conducted an examination in rather myopic fashion. Dan Bice, who we'll stipulate has in the past done any number of columns that don't make Republicans look good, today takes on organized supporters of Democrat gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Falk.

Dane County officials were happy Friday for something positive to celebrate at the 911 Center when they honored dispatcher Nathan Waite for the key role he played in the safe premature birth of a girl on Jan. 12.

Waite was on duty in the 911 Center when Brent and Kimberly Lodewyk of McFarland were rushing to a Madison hospital because Kimberly was facing the imminent birth of their child.

The Lodewyks were forced to pull off the road when the birth was about to occur. A call to the 911 Center was taken by Waite, who calmly instructed Brent Lodewyk on how to help with the birth and baby Katarina before medical help would arrive.