Previewing tonight’s debate…

Earlier in the week a reporter asked me a series of questions about tonight’s GOP Debate. Here is what I sent her in response…

Trump will consume all of the oxygen in the room, and will be rewarded with a majority of the post-debate press coverage no matter what actually happens Thursday. With Trump in the debate, the regular expectations of debate decorum are out the window. That’s in part why the media loves Trump and gives him so much coverage. It will be interesting to see if any of the competitors try to mix it up with Walker, or if they ignore him. Trump has tried to say that Wisconsin is a mess, but his reliance on failed, generalized lefty talking points hasn’t hurt Walker. Perhaps Trump or others seize on specifics to which Walker would feel compelled to react. How he responds is important.

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Governor Walker Announces Re-election Bid

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker formally announced his re-election campaign on Sunday. What are his prospects for victory? What are his strengths and vulnerabilities and who is his likely opponent? We chat about it over a pot of coffee and a couple of barking dogs in a weekend Edge Messaging chat. https://audioboom.com/posts/6459639-scott-walker-launches-re-election-campaign-a-look-at-the-2018-race-for-wisconsin-governor

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Rep. Macco: It’s time to give your surplus back

MADISON, Wisc. – Representative John Macco (R-Ledgeview) issued the following statement regarding the Republican-led “Returning Your Surplus” proposal in the Assembly. The package is estimated to cut Wisconsinites’ tax burden by over $2.9 billion, with the average filer seeing a savings of $772. “Today, the Wisconsin Assembly Republicans announced our plan to bring much-needed tax relief…

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Don’t blame the lobbyists…

That being said, the public is growing weary over the behind-closed-doors aspect of governing. Public discourse is the life-blood of a healthy democracy. When the public believes lawmakers are led by lobbyists, (or the oft-used ‘special interests’ ) faith in government plummets. I believe that’s why approval ratings for all levels of government are at record lows right now.

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The Wheelercast: 08/14/17

As lawmakers work behind the scenes on both the state budget and the Foxconn deal public skirmishes continue to pop up over the timing. Which package will get done first? What changes are being made, and by whom. Gwyn Guenther of the Wheeler Report takes a look at the latest from Madison in this week’s…

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