Isthmus: Madison's former "Mayor Dave", now Citizen Dave, weighs in on Dem gubernatorial candidates

[Scuba]

http://www.thedailypage.com/citizendave/article.php?article=35875

1. Herb Kohl. I know he says he's not running, but he hasn't really said he's not running. Upside: Fundraising would take as long as it takes for Herb to find his checkbook. How does Walker attack Uncle Herb, who has made an art out of giving his money away? Downside: Failed to bring professional basketball to Milwaukee.

2. Ron Kind. He also says he's not running, which is perplexing since the open rumor for years was that he wanted to be governor. Upside: There's some advantage to not being from Madison or Milwaukee (though not as much as people like to think), and his distance from the unions is actually a plus for independent-minded Wisconsin voters. Downside: Doesn't get the liberal base fired up.

3. Tom Barrett. Taking a close look at a race, but has to get through his reelection for mayor first. Upside: Put up a decent showing against Walker in a landslide Republican year. Genuine nice guy who would contrast well with Walker's smug and now sleazy image. Downside: His laid back manner belies the fire in the belly he really has. Has to show his passion.

4. Russ Feingold. He's made the most definitive statements about not wanting it. But if he did run, how can I rank him so low as a potential winner? Upside: The Democratic base will walk across cut glass to vote for him. Downside: The Republican base will walk across burning coals to vote against him. Independents don't like cut glass or burning coals. They want someone who gives them a nice clear sidewalk. We love him, but that ain't Russ.

Either Dave's a miserable cynic or I'm Pollyanna. I don't think getting the base fired up will be a problem and I don't see Tom Barrett being in the top two. He already lost to Walker once, albeit in a very close race.

Interesting comment about Jon Erpenbach.

[bbgrunt]

1. interesting list of possible candidates

but I seriously wonder if Kohl is at all interested. I don't get the swipe at Erpenbach--I thought he was one of the leaders of the walk-out.

Hopefully the investigations into walker's misdeeds will make him toxic regardless of cockroach money.

[thoughtcrime1984]

2. He writes off those he feels nobody's heard of.

His opinions are no more valuable than yours or mine. I really believe when Kathleen Vinehout's virtues go viral, and they will, she will be the one to face, and ultimately defeat, Walker.