Leadership, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • October 20th, 2009

Obama vs. Fox

by Chris Lato

The White House has an ax to grind with Fox News. The question is whether this is really a wise battle to be engaging in.

On the one hand, we have Jacob Weisberg calling Fox News un-American and heavily biased. So sayeth the author of ‘The Bush Tragedy.’

On the other hand, William Murchison with the Dallas Morning News argues President Obama has an ‘enemies fetish’ and Ruth Marcus at the Washington Post says picking this fight is ‘dumb.’  

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Leadership, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • October 15th, 2009

Just wonderin’

by Chris Lato

President Obama is discussing sending $13 billion in checks to seniors to make up for the decline in the cost of living adjustment for Social Security. Increases are pegged to inflation, there hasn’t been inflation, and basically, it amounts to a $250 check.

Also, there is no plan at this point to pay for it.

Isn’t there a reason why the rate is tied to the cost of living and inflation?

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Branding Politix, Leadership, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • August 17th, 2009

Doyle’s decision

by Chris Lato

From a political junkie’s perspective, the news about Gov. Doyle is seismic. It blows all the current conventional wisdom out of the water and makes this anybody’s race (with a definite advantage for the GOP).

And yet, Gov. Doyle’s announcement that he will not seek a third term is not necessarily cheery news for the state in the short term. The governor is leaving Wisconsin in worse shape than he found it. There’s no joy or gloating in that statement. We have deep problems that need a fresh perspective ASAP.

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Grass Roots Organization, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • August 5th, 2009

Those pesky constituents…

by Chris Lato

For U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, the heat is on. And Rep. Kagen, who’s been known to step in it from time to time, is lashing back at what he feels is a conspiracy organized by Big Insurance.

“I couldn’t have organized it better,” Kagen said. No kidding - and it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

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Leadership, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • August 4th, 2009

The trains from Spain

by Chris Lato

A 47-million dollar, no-bid contract for trains from Spain gets the approval of the Joint Finance Committee. Even legislative Democrat leaders are expressing some misgivings over the way the Doyle administration handled this one - yet are doing little to actually challenge it.

Republicans like Rep. Robin Vos are sounding off, but it doesn’t matter much. The die is cast, the deal is done.

All this in the face of evidence that the state originally planned to do a competitive bidding process, then decided it was too much bother. Also, other companies had expressed interest in the project.

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Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • March 12th, 2009

Recall Doyle? Really?

by Chris Lato

Apparently a debate is raging that I just haven’t been paying much attention to…on whether to seek a recall election against the governor. Kevin Fischer has a recap and his own thoughts on the idea.

I daresay Gov. Doyle’s loyal opposition has far more important things to worry about – and this is coming from a former flack for the state GOP. The mood of the state is not inclined to embrace the recall of a politician who, while not universally loved, is no Blago either. It’s a waste of effort that would be better spent organizing now for 2010.

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Branding Politix, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News, public relations • December 9th, 2008

A surcharge on suds?

by Chris Lato

I reference this story in this week’s poll – a movement is afoot to hike taxes on alcohol in Wisconsin.

Trying to raise the tax on alcohol in a state known for its powerful tavern lobby and general love for all things alcohol-enhanced poses a lobbying and PR challenge in the best of times, and the DAs association will likely face an uphill climb with this one.

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Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • December 8th, 2008

The game changer

by Chris Lato

It didn’t take long for some on the left to become disillusioned with President-elect Obama’s early policy shifts and Cabinet appointments (and for Team Obama to start pushing back).

A certain degree of this is to be expected. With Democrats making a clean sweep at the federal (and, in Wisconsin, state levels), plenty of Dems think now is the time to make the big, bold moves that couldn’t be done until now. Universal health care, pulling out of Iraq ASAP, and higher taxes, particularly aimed at businesses, to cite three examples.

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Report from the Field, Strategic Blueprints • November 17th, 2008

The Fox Valley goes blue

by Chris Lato

It was once fairly reliable GOP territory. But in the last two election cycles, the Fox Valley has been steadily turning from red to blue. To put a spin on the title of one recent book, what’s the matter with the Fox Valley?

Anyone who thought Democrat U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen would be ‘one and done’ were disappointed this month after John Gard failed to knock one out of the park in his second at-bat.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin Democrats see the opportunity and are seizing it. Note the rise of Fox Valley Dems to leadership positions. Wisely, Democrats recognize the chance to build a political dynasty in an area of Wisconsin that was once fairly reliable in leaning GOP.

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Leadership, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News, wispundits • November 13th, 2008

Let the turf war begin

by Chris Lato

Interesting stuff...the first real sign that as Democrats take over the Legislature, it’s still going to be a bumpy ride.

Locking Milwaukee lawmakers out of leadership roles sends a message, suggesting that it will be a Milwaukee vs. the-rest-of-Wisconsin session as the new majority grapples with a multi-billion-dollar budget hole.  

The Assembly Speaker will be Mike Sheridan, a rep from Janesville who used to be a UAW president. Other Dem Assembly leaders come from Kaukauna and Wausau.

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