Barrett Picks Up Endorsement, Says He Will Restore Collective Bargaining
Milwaukee mayor and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett welcomed another endorsement, from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, in his campaign to unseat Gov. Scott Walker. In other news, see details on the latest poll on the Democratic primary.
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Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett picked up another endorsement Monday, from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee), in his push to grab the Democratic nod and unseat Gov. Scott Walker in June's recall election.
Voters are a little more than three weeks away from tapping Walker's Democratic challenger, and Barrett was on the campaign trail in Milwaukee touting how his administration would end Wisconsin's political civil war and restore collective bargaining and tax fairness, while fielding the endorsement from Moore.
Barrett will square off against former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) and Secretary of State Doug La Follette in a Democratic primary May 8. The winner will take on Walker on June 5.
Barrett spoke to a small group of reporters at the Milwaukee Public Market in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. Moore took the opportunity to endorse Barrett for the state's top office, as she believes he will restore pay equality for women and look out for low-income individuals. Democratic U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin have also endorsed Barrett for governor.
“I think the people of Wisconsin have a great opportunity for a do-over," Moore said. "We are going to do it right this time, people.
"(Walker) has shown contempt and disdain for everyone that is poor, and middle-class. I think there is a whole lot of room for improvement."
With filing of federal taxes due Tuesday, Barrett chose to speak on tax fairness. He said the governor has pushed through a package of tax cuts that hurt medium- to low-income taxpayers.
“Right after taking office, Gov. Walker made it clear what side he was on,” Barrett said. “The package primarily benefits corporations and the wealthier in this state.”
He said that is money that could have gone to struggling families.
Walker: Property taxes are down
However, Walker’s administration touted Monday that property taxes decreased for the first time in 12 years. The typical homeowner's property tax bill went down 0.4 percent in 2011.
Barrett responded by saying in Milwaukee, the school district's levy has increased because of school choice.
“Taxpayers in the largest city in the state saw their taxes go up because of the changes he made,” he said.
Barrett also said he would work to put an end to the political war being waged in the state.
“I will end the civil war,” Barrett said Monday. "This has never been about those middle-class families, but this has been about the ideological war in the state of Wisconsin that Gov. Walker began in earnest."
“(Residents) don’t want to live in a situation where neighbors won’t talk to neighbors about politics because it is too volatile, where co-workers can’t talk to fellow co-workers about politics,” he said.
Barrett also said he would restore collective bargaining rights for public employees if elected.
“I will restore the collective bargaining rights in this state, I will make sure we have that table so that employees have their voice heard," he said. "I have had a balanced budget on the local level, and done so, up until this law was passed, by working with employees."
Poll: Good news, bad news for Barrett
Barrett maintains a sizable lead on his Democratic opponents but still trails Walker in the recall race, according to a newly released poll.
Public Policy Polling found Walker leading all of his Democratic opponents, including 50-45 on Barrett and 50-43 over Kathleen Falk, in the June 5 recall election.
In the Democratic primary scheduled for May 8, Barrett led Falk by a 38-24 margin. The other two Democrats in the race, Doug La Follette and Kathleen Vinehout, polled at 9 percent and 6 percent, respectively.
Barrett's margin dwindled since PPP's last poll in February, which had him up over Falk 45-18.
"Despite being vastly outspent and falsely attacked from all sides, this poll demonstrates that the people of Wisconsin are rallying behind Tom Barrett's message of bringing our state together and ending Scott Walker’s ideological civil war," said Barrett for Wisconsin Communications Director Phil Walzak in a news release. "The poll also confirms that Tom is the best candidate to take on Scott Walker in the general election."
Falk's campaign, meanwhile, pointed to the narrowing gap between Barrett and Falk as a good sign for the campaign.
"Momentum is with Kathleen Falk as she has cut Tom Barrett's lead in half in a little over a month," campaign spokesman Scot Ross said. "Kathleen has built the grassroots, big tent of working men and women, environmentalists, women’s rights advocates, young progressives and community organizers needed to win this election and defeat Gov. Scott Walker. The election will be decided by the people of Wisconsin, not insiders and politicians."
Dirk
2:59 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Just the picture of these two together will win this silly recall election for Gov. Walker. LOL!!
George Warez
3:35 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Could Barrett be anymore weak, any more clueless and any more milquetoast? Photo op' with Crazy Eyes Gwen Moore?
SkinnyDude
3:36 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Barret and Falk's idea of working with people is too raise everyones taxes . No thanks . These losers wont compete with the man with a plan .....Scott Walker!
Bren
5:22 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Skinny, Scott Walker (R-ALEC) raised taxes by cutting tax credits for low income people (EIC and Homestead). Neither Barrett nor Falk have claimed they would increase taxes, have they?
Luke
10:12 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
The Dem's debate last week was halarious. When they were asked how they would have delt with the budget in 2011, Falk said that none of them would answer that question. Barrett was apparently happy to have Falk speak for him. Quite the leadership from Barrett, staring blankly at Falk and the audience.
James R Hoffa
11:08 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
@Bren -
Barrett and Falk both said that they would repeal Act 10, right? They have also both promised to restore state funding of public education to pre-Walker levels and expand public support programs. So, how exactly will they accomplish such an agenda without raising taxes? Are they proposing to borrow large sums of money in order to balance such a biennial budget? Also, will they repeal the property tax freeze put into effect by Walker? Don't you think that these are issues that the Democratic candidates should come clean on before the primary so that voters can make an informed decision? Instead, all we're hearing from them is the regurgitation of party line propagandist talking points.
What ever they're proposing, it sounds like a losing proposition for Wisconsin taxpayers - NO THANKS!
The majority of the state will stand strong with WALKER!!!
Speak Your Onions!
9:39 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Hoffa, I'm sure Bren(Larry,Curley, Mo & Shemp) will tell us that Barrett(Larry,Curley, Mo & Shemp) and Falk(Larry,Curley,Mo & Shemp) will give us a good two-fingered poke in the eye and a NyuK_NYUK_NyuK.
WEACHATER
3:37 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
WOW what a great Endorsement, the Queen of food stamps
Greg
3:45 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Dem Rep. Gwen Moore: Banning Welfare Card Use at Liquor Stores & Strip Clubs Is Racist.
This was the last major stance she took. It was almost as big of a looser as Barrett.
Bren
3:58 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
It's important to remember that recall supporters will vote for the challenger. The poll numbers will probably change once the challenger emerges. Then we'll find out how many people support the multi-state ALEC agenda of corporate greed and Scott Walker, or our wonderful state of Wisconsin. The two are mutually exclusive.
Greg
4:08 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Yes, mutually exclusive, as is our wonderful state of Wisconsin and the anti business, corrupt, over taxed, union hell hole that you would prefer. Let's face it, we had it your way for years, now let's try it our way.
J. B. Schmidt
4:16 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
@Bren
Walker or our state, that is almost as funny as you including ALEC in every post. Considering Milwaukee's credit rating was lowered for a second time under Barrett's watch, it must be one of the other candidates you are talking about.
James R Hoffa
10:57 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
@Bren -
I think what you meant to say is that Walker and Wisconsin are symbiotic.
Alfred
10:36 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Bren and the rest of the liberal/marxists are very slow witted. It is best that we Republicans take care of them, they obviously cannot take care of themselves.
Herbert
4:26 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
If Walker loses the election the Republicans will force recall of Democratic winner... how fun will that be?? Nothing will ever get done in this State. We put up with years and years of poor policy democratic leadership and they all cry like babies when somtehing doesnt go there way. GO WALKER!
Robert Merlin
5:28 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Years and years? You are talking of the years and years of Dryfus,Thomson,and McCallum anen't you?
They bargained with the unions,every governor has for the last 50yrs,but walker,probably under orders had other ideas!
Taoist Crocodile
4:39 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Very disappointing. Barrett's a good guy, but NOBODY CARES about the fact that public employees lost their collective bargaining ability.
Once he gets the nomination, Barrett needs to pull a Mitt Romney and change the reason he's running. Make it about jobs and the Republicans' screwed-up legislative priorities.
Greg
4:51 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
When did Romney get the nomination?
By the time the election comes about Barrett had better decide what his platform is. Yesterday he did not care about collective bargaining (per J/S article), today he is going to restore it. I'd call this grasping at straws, good luck with that.
Nate D.
4:46 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
An endorsement from the dumbest congressional member in the last 150 years. Put that on your resume!
upset father
5:28 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Taoist how come unemployment is down then . Um um is it walker is working . That's how it looks to me and a hell of a lot of voters . We won't sit around and get faulked Wisconsin can't barrett . Tgfsw
Archie
2:53 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The last person I would be asking that question to is a mom`s basement entrepreneur, besides it is hard to reason with a parrot.
jt
10:48 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
bye bye scotty!
James R Hoffa
10:53 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
@jt 'john' -
The only way is Walker is going anywhere is if he decides to run for President!
jt
11:57 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
@hoffa, felons can't be president.
James R Hoffa
10:51 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Didn't Gwen Moore miss more key congressional votes last year than Gabby Giffords?
jt
11:58 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
couldn't tell ya james, i'm not a political pundant such as yourself
Archie
2:57 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
All those taxpayer dollars wasted and still not a brain between them.
$$andSense
8:42 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
JRH, throwing Gabby Giffords into the mix? Really? It isn't even close to humor. You and you little buddie Archie are sick puppies. I have no use for Gwen Moore either but to make the crass comparisons? I hope you two may never contract Alzheimers, cancer or suffer Giffords ordeal. Wow. I am a conservative but certainly not of your low class.
James R Hoffa
9:33 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
@$$andSense -
My comment wasn't meant to be humorous, but rather ironic in showing just how many key votes Gwen Moore was absent for during last year's Congressional session. But interpret as you will, as my words haven't managed to ever change your mind or assessment of my character.
$$andSense
11:11 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Mr. last word JRH. Human misery = "ironic". Sure, you got it down.Your buddy Archwas just kidding too, right? Again, you are not my or my daddy's conservative.
James R Hoffa
11:40 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
@$$andSense -
Of course human misery does not equate to being ironic.
I guess, if I really must explain this for you...
Mrs. Giffords had a very unfortunate but valid reason for being absent during last year's congressional votes. Gwen Moore, on the other hand, had no good reason for being absent during last year's congressional votes, and yet, she managed to miss nearly as many key votes as Mrs. Giffords! I was merely being emphatic in pointing out the irony of those reacting to such an endorsement of Barrett by Moore as positive news given Moore's apparent incapacity to actually bother showing up for the job she was elected to do.
Such as it is, you may now continuing hating me - I won't lose any sleep over it!
dc2ndresr
11:43 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Time to "drop the bomb" on Scotty and his Koch Brothers bought and paid for corrupt legislators and gang of 4 Wisconsin Supremes staining that once proud bench on the capital's 3rd floor. Toss these Tea Patsies back to their Dixiecrat overlords in Texas.
jt
11:59 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
agreed! let's send him packing.
Tom Barrett
2:56 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-12/news/sns-rt-milwaukee-ratingmoodys-update-1l2e8fccrk-20120412_1_rating-outlook-aa1-rating-by-one-notch
Tom Barrett
2:59 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
IS THIS BAD??
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/WI/schoolrank.aspx?pagetype=bottom10&level=3
Tom Barrett
3:02 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/2011/04/02/milwaukee-is-most-racially-segregated-urban-area-in-america/
Tom Barrett
3:05 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/barrett-falk-wont-say-how-they-would-have-balanced-wisconsins-budget_636918.html
Tom Barrett
3:09 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47011387/ns/local_news-milwaukee_wi/t/afscme-attacks-tom-barrett-over-labor-cuts-milwaukee-workers/#.T40lM6yF8mQ
Tom Barrett
3:11 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/wisconsins-property-taxes-drop-first-time-12-years_637099.html
Tom Barrett
3:14 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://www.kathleenfalk.com/media/press/2012-03-endorsements
Tom Barrett
6:20 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is this bad?
http://maciverinstitute.com/2011/11/two-faced-barrett-or-evil-twin-milwaukees-mayor-on-ohio-wis-act-10/
Robert
5:16 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Nice work TB ! I especially like the the article that lists Falk's endorsment's. Those would look great if she was running for something in Cuba.
Pete
8:02 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
All anyone with a thread of common sense and independent thought has to do is look south to Illinois. They took the plan the Falk and Barrett want to apply to Wisconsin. Taxes are up, unemployment is up, layoffs to state workers are up. Business growth is down and leaving the state, taxpayers are leaving the state. Is this really what we want for Wisconsin? Ask any Progressive/Liberal/Socialist they will tell you its better than Scott Walker and the corporate greed Bren writes about in every article comment. I want to recall Santa Claus because I didnt get what I wanted for Christmas. Sound familiar!
Sinead
8:24 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Hey Barrett...campaigning on company time? Talk about double standards...you rank up there. Your 'choice' to raise and spend money for reelection and THEN announcing candidacy for governor, raising more money, are about as unfair (not to mention questionable ethics and showing no conscience) to constituents as anything I've ever seen. You are not MY idea of a candiate or mayor, governor or any office.
The Donny Show
10:25 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Is Tommy really wanted Gwen to help, he would have asked her to endorse Falk.
Resident of O.C. Paul
12:23 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tom Barret, You just got elected as Mayor of Milwaukee, now you throw your hat into the Governors race...How stupid are you? Do the people of Milwaukee...the people that RE_ELECTED you a BIG favor and drop out of the Governors race and remain Milwaukee City Mayor until the end of your elected term. Forcing the people of Milwaukee into a special election is a DUMB thing to do because you became POWER STRUCK.
Tommy Barret, You WILL NOT be getting my vote.
Steve ®
1:47 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Restore collective bargaining? Funny, he proposed very similar actions as Walker Feb 24th 2011.
Luke
4:42 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
He lashed out at Walker for not making Act 10 apply to police and fire fighters too. He'll say anything.
Too bad his backers don't care for consistancy.
http://maciverinstitute.com/2011/11/two-faced-barrett-or-evil-twin-milwaukees-mayor-on-ohio-wis-act-10/
Tim
4:25 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Gwen Moore ..... LMAO. Okay I'm done. Please, please, please you loonies keep the endorsements coming.
Luke
5:51 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Scott Walker warned us......
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/us-usa-illinois-business-idUSTRE7304JD20110401
Luke
5:58 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Quote of the day:
"Ronald Pollina's Chicago-based commercial real estate firm is receiving a flood of calls asking advice on relocating from Illinois.
"These companies are calling me on a daily basis to say they want to expand jobs, but they're going to do it in another state -- or in Brazil or China," Pollina said."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/us-usa-illinois-business-idUSTRE7304JD20110401
Keith Best
6:12 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Do we here in Wisconsin want to go back to massive deficits, over-spending, public employee union leaders with their hands on the throats and wallets of the taxpayers?
No way baby!
This is why Barrett and Falk will lose. We want to go forward, and not in debt.
Vince
6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Today Walker was in Springfield, Illinois. The Democratic Governor of Illinois announced that Illinois has added 130,000 jobs in Illinois. "Scooter" has added how many jobs???? Seems like maybe a Democratic Governor in Wisconsin could do the same because "Scooter" isn't doing it!!!
greg
6:33 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Yea Vince we should get Quinn up here to tell us how to run a state!
Luke
6:52 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
@Vince
The Philidelpia Fed's prediction is that Wisconisn will have the fastest growth of any state in the next 6 months.
Luke
6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Quote of the WEEK
" The state budget office estimates that the typical homeowner's bill would be some $700 higher without Mr. Walker's collective-bargaining overhaul and budget cuts."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304432704577348080124322186.html?mod=googlenews_
Jerry Person
8:11 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Walker wrote truth in sentencing forcing wisconsin to hire 32000 public sector workers. These are his union thug supporters, The thousands opf police walkers law hired. This cost wisconsin 38 billion. we built 71 new jails and courthouses and hundreds of halfway houses and dozens of prisons. The boscobel supermax was 7 times larger because of walker pushing his agenda back then like a spoiled child as always.
C. Sanders
10:34 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
@ Jerry Person: Sure sounds like we have a lot of prisoners. Where would you suggest we put them, in Lake Michigan?
You obviously have your own agenda which is based upon fantasy and not on facts. Here's some education for you:
http://www.wi-doc.com/10%20Year%20Plan/4/Sec4-PopnProjSysCap.pdf
"... comparing Minnesota and Wisconsin using the Sentencing Project’s interactive map, which shows that Minnesota incarcerates 137 per 100,000 residents, while Wisconsin incarcerates 374 per 100,000."
Keith Best
12:23 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
(Cleveland) - The budget ax will swing further in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The school board Tuesday night approved a plan that will eliminate more than 500 K-through-8 teachers jobs.
(Ohio voted down reforms like Gov. Walkers. WI. teachers hav no clue this could have happened to them.)
Read more: http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=10058802#ixzz1sPhydAMR
Tom Barrett
3:27 am on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Is this bad?
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/148172485.html