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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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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Leadership, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • November 11th, 2008

Rootin’ for Ryan

by Chris Lato

The groundswell of support keeps on building for Rep. Paul Ryan to step up and play a leadership role in the post-election Republican Party. The Wall Street Journal is among those media outlets that likes what it sees.

The question then becomes: does Ryan want it? And Ryan himself is, so far, saying “No thanks.” Family considerations are said to be playing a key role in his decision. Still, he is not totally shrinking from the spotlight.

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Branding Politix, Views on News, wispundits • November 6th, 2008

How does the GOP rebuild?

by Chris Lato

Rather than write the answer to that question, I spoke about it. Go to Wisconsin Public Radio and listen to my appearance today with Joy Cardin on the state of the GOP, and where the party should consider going from here. (The appearance was at 7 AM today).

As always, thanks to Joy and her team for the invitation and the hospitality.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Leadership, Views on News • July 10th, 2008

Chopping Wood

by Chris Lato

How convenient.

Rep. Jeff Wood of Chetek decided to kneecap the GOP just in time for the deadline to file nomination papers.

In a calculated move, Wood waited till the last minute to make his declaration, in order to leave the field free and clear for him. The major parties can field a write-in candidate – which the GOP, in particular, would be wise to do.

The theory that Wood cut a deal with the Democrats is being floated around. The Assembly Democrats’ blog entry on this flap doesn’t exactly dispel that notion - notice how Rep. Mark Pocan drops the little bombshell that Wood expressed interest in caucusing with the Dems.

Regardless, Wood has a challenge ahead - there hasn’t been anyone elected to the Legislature who wasn’t affiliated with the Democrats or Republicans in more than 60 years.

(By the way, I suspect some of the same people who will praise Wood for his ‘independence’ also reject the idea that John McCain’s unwillingness to march in lockstep with the GOP is ‘independence’ - but that is a topic for another day.)

The reasons for Wood’s defection, as listed in the newspaper article, suggest disenchantment with both the national and state parties. So the question becomes: is it better to leave the party entirely or try to work from within to change things? Considering Wood was only a card-carrying Republican for less than six years, it appears he preferred to simply cut and run.

The fact that he was a Libertarian who declared himself a Republican to make his first bid for the Assembly is enough to raise questions about Wood’s sincerity and dependability.

Interesting, too, that the only other declared candidate in the district is a declared Libertarian. Part of Wood’s problem is that he’s neither fish nor fowl at this point. Unless the district decides in the current political climate that ‘independent’ is the way to go, Wood is a man without a country.

Wood’s high-minded rhetoric about his defection will likely ring hollow for disenchanted constituents who could fairly wonder if he is guided by conscience and an independent spirit - or political expediency. It is up to Wood to justify his move and be clear in outlining his principles – something he hasn’t done convincingly thus far.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Grass Roots Organization, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • February 20th, 2008

The Wisconsin post-mortem

by Chris Lato

Well, I can’t say I’m shocked. Turnout appears to have been impressive, especially for the Democrat presidential candidates. In such a hotly contested race, that is not surprising.

What is intriguing: the margin of victory for Barack Obama. The numbers are still rolling in as I write this, but all indications are that Obama really swamped Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin.

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