Tuesday, December 05, 2006
If you want to go, the door is wide open
Seems like everyone in the Wisconsin blogosphere thinks that Rep. Dean Kaufert is on his way out of the state Legislature. I say good riddance. The Spice Boys had this to say in Sunday's paper:
Ex-Gov. Tommy Thompson may not have invented the strategy, but he sure perfected it, and now his longtime rival, Gov. Jim Doyle, is tearing a page from the Tommy playbook.
The Democratic governor, you see, is looking for a Republican or two to hire in hopes of giving his party control of the Assembly.
Doyle is taking a look at Rep. Dean Kaufert, who is smarting because his fellow Republicans rejected his bid to become Assembly speaker and bounced him out of leadership.
An early exit by Kaufert, a lawmaker for 16 years, would give GOP leaders heartburn since he represents a swing district in the Fox River Valley. In January, Republicans will control the Assembly by a 52-47 margin. The Dems will control the Senate 18-15.
Would Kaufert jump ship? Read his comments and decide for yourself.
"John Kerry won my district," Kaufert said of the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate. "But you've got to look beyond that. I've got to look out for my future too. . . . You've got to look out for the team, the Republican team. But after the events recently, I've got to look out for myself, too."
Translation: Kaufert's references are available on request.
And they are actually dead-on. While many in the GOP are still licking in its wounds over November's landslide, it is time for Republicans to get their act in order in time for a special election. This seat is not as "Democratic" as some may say. Sure, John Kerry won it in 2004, but George W Bush won the entire 8th Congressional District and look at what happened.
The special election would give the GOP an opportunity to get back to its roots--promising lower taxes, less government and fiscal responsibility--something that Wisconsin Republicans haven't delivered on. It gives the opportunity for the GOP to get some young, energetic blood flowing in the Assembly chamber. And with the right candidate, you could have a superstar in state politics.
If Kaufert wants to leave, it could be the best thing for the GOP in the long-term. That of course, if RPW doesn't squander the opportunity.
Labels: Strategery
