La Follette joins governor's race (Wis.)

[Ellipsis]

Source: New Richmond News

“In the past 13 months, Walker has done much damage to Wisconsin in many ways," La Follette said. "But most of all, he has divided us in a way that no one could have imagined."

La Follette said Walker has pitted business owners against employees, parents against teachers and neighbor against neighbors.

"There has been far too much hostility and focus put on how to divide us rather than focusing on how we can respect each other and work together to move Wisconsin forward," he said. "As governor, I will listen to and respect all of the people of Wisconsin."

La Follette said he decided to run "because I will not stand idly by while everything we hold dear is torn down."

Read more: http://www.newrichmond-news.com/event/article/id/35645/

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La Follette was elected Secretary of State of Wisconsin in 1974. He unsuccessfully ran for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin on a ticket with Governor Martin Schreiber in 1978. In 1982, he was again elected Secretary of State, defeating incumbent Vel Phillips. La Follette has been the Secretary of State of Wisconsin ever since.


La Follette is the author of the 1991 book The Survival Handbook: A Strategy for Saving Planet Earth.
He has also served on the board of directors of Friends of the Earth and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
In 2003 he ran for, and was elected to, the board of directors of the Sierra Club for a three-year term. He did not seek reelection in 2006.
He was a Fulbright Distinguished American Scholar in 2003.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_La_Follette

[Laurian]

1. Question for those in Wisconsin.

Isn't he better known and a stronger candidate that those already in the race?

[Ellipsis]

2. His name is. He has "branding" with older Wisconsinites.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. That 'branding' extends beyond older Wisconsinites

especially those who are history buffs, like myself - a fan of the progressive movement exemplified by heroes like Fighting Bob.

[Ellipsis]

5. Of course... Bob fest was my sig line before DU3.

In reference to the election... little is known about him with the bulk of the voters.



Out of the gate he polls at 42% to Walkers 49%

[WI_DEM]

8. his last name is known but I don't believe he is necessarily a stronger candidate.

[HereSince1628]

9. He's been repeatedly elected Sec of State...even when R's won the Governorship.

I am not sure there is a candidate with a stronger record for statewide office.

[EC]

4. Really good name for union members in WI

and good family. But, he's awfully old. I wish Russ would get into it, he's got a very wide margin of winning in the last few polls. Like 10 or more points ahead.

[HereSince1628]

7. Feingold has repeatedly said he isn't interested, and he's not given indication of any preference

for the democratic candidate to run against Walker.

We need to get beyond hope that he'll run and choose among those who step forward.

[EC]

10. I know

and given the choices now I'd vote for Falk or LaFollette. But I'd like LaFollette to stay as SOS to protect our elections the best he can. Walker and cronies are trying to do away with the SOS position, so they must be afraid of him being there.

[Scuba]

6. Doug's a good guy, but not our best candidate...

That's Doug on the left at a protest last spring.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Myrina]

11. I would vote for him over Falk ...

... I think Falk is 'damaged goods' because of her DUI several years back. You know the Koch/GOP is going to jump all over that if she's the candidate, regardless of how meaningless it is in the bigger picture.

LaFollette does resonate with older voters and last time I looked at Northern and Western WI - which also tends to vote more conservatively, they ARE older voters.

Is this a full 4-year term, or just "whatever's leftover of Snotty's term"? That may make the difference as to whether or not LaFollette can make a run at it.


Don't jump on me, this is just my opinion.

[Ellipsis]

12. Do you have a link for that assertion?

... I think Falk is 'damaged goods' because of her DUI several years back.