Kreuser and Robson Cite Blanchard, Issue Joint Declaration On Reconstitution Of Caucuses
JENSEN TRIAL REVIVES MINORITY CAUCUSES March 20. 2006 (A.P.) Kreuser and Robson Cite Blanchard, Issue Joint Declaration On Reconstitution Of Caucuses
Assembly and Senate Minority Leaders Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha) and Judy Robson (D-Beloit) issued a joint announcement today that will lead to the recreation of the Assembly and Senate Democratic Caucuses. "District Attorney Blanchard has made it quite clear that the Legislature's minority caucuses can safely do things that the majority cannot," said Kreuser during today's capitol press conference, "and we're going to take advantage of that finding to rehire Democratic caucus staff and utilize them to win back the majority." Robson went on to encourage disgraced former staffers like Rich Judge and George Twigg to send in their resumes as quickly as possible.
The Kreuser-Robson initiative occurs in the wake of the conviction of former Speaker Scott Jensen for three felonies related to the use of state employees for campaign purposes. In remarks after the trial, Blanchard stated that the majority has both greater power and a greater responsibility to follow the law. When asked directly about illegal campaigning by Assembly Democrats, Blanchard dismissively asserted that a prosecutor has the right to be selective about the use and misuse of D.A resources. "As I understand it, minority parties have very little power and therefore a negligible responsibility to follow the same laws as everyone else," said Blanchard, "I'm not going to waste my staff's time going after Democrats who've already suffered enough from Republican bullies like Jensen."
Robson -- who broke with Democratic tradition earlier today by coming out in favor of a healthy state business climate --went on to say, "Nothing could be more important than getting Democrats back in control of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Now that we have the official green light from District Attorney Blanchard and a confidential opinion from A.G. Lautenschlager's Public Integrity Unit, we're ready to begin hiring as early as next week." Both Kreuser and Robson noted that hiring preference would be given to those with prior caucus service, with extra points for those who have been fired from various places due to that association.
"I've read a great deal of the John Doe evidence that proves that my predecessor Shirley Krug cheated taxpayers to a much greater extent than Scott Jensen," continued Kreuser, "while I still hate that woman, the example of her non-prosecution would make my failure to act a dereliction of duty. Wisconsin deserves to have the good guys back in charge, and I will utilize every state resource at my disposal to make that happen." Robson has requested the complete records of the John Doe investigation into Mary Panzer's minority Republican caucus and Shirley Krug's minority Democratic caucus to use as a template for creating her new caucus campaign machine.
Krug and Panzer were scheduled to appear at today's Kreuser-Robson press conference, but backed out at the last minute for and AODA class and French class respectively. "I know Shirley and Mary are here with us in spirit," exclaimed Robson, "getting away with it is truly the best revenge against the evil corporations and nasty Republicans who rule this state. I'm glad Shirley and Mary got away with it, and I know Jim and I can do the same." When asked, both Kreuser and Robson pledged to re-eliminate the caucus staff within four years of regaining the majority, all things being equal.
Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke also attended the press conference, but left without making a comment about the proposed change. A confidential source in Governor Doyle's office noted that the Governor was frustrated with the Republican majorities and had quietly encouraged Robson and Kreuser to move forward with their plan.
