Uppity Wisconsin

To hear WTMJ television tell it, Scott Walker got off a great line in his joint "debate" appearance with Mark Neumann on Charlie Sykes's "Insight" show in Waukesha Monday night:

"Tom puts his faith in government," Walker said in a clear, strong voice. "More spending, more taxes, more programs. I have had a career doing just the opposite of that."

Ah, yes, great contrast, Mr. Walker.

Except it's not true.

Dizzy yet from all of the spin about the campaign finance reports filed by candidates for governor?

One thing we can all agree on: They are raising a lot of money. After that, the analysis is up for grabs.

Scott Walker claims he had so many donors that his report caused the Government Accountability Board's online reporting system to crash. That caused the GAB to put out a statement saying Walker's claim wasn't true.

Bad group to get into a back and forth with, methinks. Who you gonna believe, a politician or the people who enforce the ethics laws?

Walker made much of the fact that he raised $1.75-million and has $2-million in the bank on Dec. 31. And -- imagine this -- he didn't owe anyone a single dollar on Dec.31, which let him hit the $2-million mark with $14,000 to spare. Why do I think there's a drawerful of unpaid invoices somewhere from vendors whose checks were written on Jan. 2?

But that's minor. The real story in Walker's report is the unmasking of Big Spender Scott.

For a guy who's running on proimises that he'll cut state spending, he isn't demonstrating much fiscal restraint in running his campaign.

Yes, the campaign raised $1.79-million in six months. But it spent almost $900,000 during that time.

Mark Neumann has put $1-million of his own money into his campaign treasury to fund his race for governor.

There is plenty more where that came from, and no reason to think he won't be willing to put in additional money when the time comes. It's long been rumored that Neumann is willing to put $3-million in.

Now, can we get past the idea that he's not serious or is going to drop out?

My favorite political analyst (Xoff) explained a month ago how Neumann could win.

Gentlemen, to your corners. And please do come out swinging.

Mark Neumann's campaign for governor just keeps rolling along, with great staff work and photo opportunities for the media. Why do I have the feeling we'll see this one with the fright wig again during the campaign? Heartland Hollar has the uncropped photo and notes that no matter how stimulating the photo, Neumann opposes the federal economic stimulus that kept many Americans from taking handbaskets to hell.

PS: Good grief! There are more, posted not by Scott Walker but by the Neumann campaign. Here's another.