Falk connects with Janesville supporters
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Podcast Episode
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Kathleen Falk, right, candidate for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming recall election, visits with Kathy and Jim Klein of Edgerton while campaigning in Janesville at O'Riley & Conway's Irish Pub.
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Kathleen Falk, candidate for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming recall election, greets a supporter at a small rally outside of Jefferson Elementary School in Janesville.
JANESVILLE — Gage Gross won’t remember it, but he was on center stage Monday when Democratic candidate for governor Kathleen Falk brought her campaign to Janesville.
The Milton 2-year-old was with his father, Andy Gross, who teaches second grade at Milton East Elementary School, when they met Falk on the lawn in front of Jefferson Elementary School. Gage was the first person Falk greeted. She bent down to chat with Gage, who was taking in the gathering from his stroller.
During her remarks to the assembled crowd of about 30, Falk referred to Gage and his generation.
“I visited with a couple in their 70s in Oshkosh who were standing in front of a grocery store in the freezing cold gathering signatures for the recall,” Falk said. “I asked them why, and they told me they wanted to see an end to the cuts in public education because they are harmful to their grandchildren, children like Gage back there.”
Falk brought her familiar campaign message to Janesville.
“You’re not alone,” Falk said to the crowd made up of mostly teachers. “People all around this state are standing up with you. They have been working throughout the recall process, and they will finish it in 50 days.”
Fighting off a brisk wind and speaking into a megaphone, Falk said she would stand up for public education.
“I will support public dollars for public education and require that private schools using public dollars meet the same standards as public education,” she said. “I am so proud to stand with the working men and women of Wisconsin, especially teachers.”
After her remarks, Falk told The Gazette she is optimistic about her campaign. She was asked to provide an example of her strength against her main Democratic opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
“I enjoy the support of the largest unions in the state, but that does not define me,” she said. “The biggest difference is that I not only have union backing, we have put together a ‘big tent’ campaign that includes all our Democratic friends.”
Falk clicked off a list of organizations and constituency groups that have endorsed her.
“The environmentalists including the Sierra Club support us. Women’s groups such as Emily’s List are on board,” she said. “Voces de La Frontere, the Hispanic group that overturned discriminatory legislative district lines and voter ID laws in the courts, support us.
“That’s why we will succeed,” she said. “We have a huge, grassroots effort involving millions of supporters.”
After her appearance at Jefferson School, Falk met with supporters at O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub on West Milwaukee Street in downtown Janesville.
Apr 19, 2012 at 1:30 a.m.
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Lot of wagering action on Walker to win after the market was made. Jumped from $5.50 a share to now $6.45 a share on Intrade. No doubt that jump is based on the belief that Falk may actually win the primary!
Apr 18, 2012 at 3:53 p.m.
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None would be the best choice for any elected office & that includs walker
Apr 18, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.
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When will our Dem friends learn: just because someone is popular in Madison/Dane County (or even Milwaukee) doesn't mean they have any significant support in the rest of the state (or that they even know jack about her). And from what I heard, the teachers' unions let out a collective (pun intended) groan after throwing their support to her and then finding out Barrett was even thinking of running. Do you really think anyone in the northern 2/3 of our state even cares about her, much less intends to vote for her? I fully expect the Democratic primary to end in no more than a plurality with no obviously-more-favored candidate coming out of it.
Apr 18, 2012 at 10:16 a.m.
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SwissChick You know why that is because Falk walked out on her responsibilities in 2011 following the problems she had handling the Brittany Zimmerman incident on April 2, 2008 and the way the County handled the aftermath of that incident. If you look at the results of the election in 2008 when Nancy Mistele ran against Falk that year Falk was beaten in every city outside of Madison in that election. Now in my opinion that may or may not come back to haunt Falk in the primary on May 8th will have to see because that will be one of the things I will have on my mind is how would Falk stand up to Walker. This will be a hard choice to make come June 5th is which Democrat can beat Walker.
Apr 18, 2012 at 10:04 a.m.
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hey wait a minute she said she created 26,000 jobs in Wi, what a bunch of dribble, she gave in to every union demand,
Apr 18, 2012 at 9:13 a.m.
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“I enjoy the support of the largest unions in the state, but that does not define me,” she said.
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No, of course not.
Apr 18, 2012 at 9:13 a.m.
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@Third_Eye - thanks for pointing out the podcast. Falk's lack of answering Tim's questions about Janesville's situation, and instead, reading her general campaign rhetoric point by point and anti Walker rhetoric is insulting to local listeners and voters.
Apr 18, 2012 at 8:33 a.m.
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Kathleen Falk was interviewed by Tim Bremel Monday morning on Your Talk Show (WCLO 1230 am).
She did not answer a single question. She came with a speech and gave that speech.
When asked about any good accomplished by Governor Walker she launched in a 3 minute diatribe describing his every fault. I think Tim could have asked her what she thought of the Janesville sidewalk issue in place of any of the questions and the 'answer' would have been the same.
I applaud Tim for letting her run on. Many talk show hosts would have cut her off only to be accused of not letting her speak. By letting Falk ramble Tim allowed Kathleen to demonstrate her lack of original ideas for all to hear. (A podcast is available at WCLO.com)
Apr 18, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.
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Rocket, it means "i'm going to take the public's negative feelings, chew them like cud for a couple hours, then spit them back out and hope they don't recognize it.
Apr 18, 2012 at 8:26 a.m.
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Fedup...what is your obsession with puppets ? Your comments are those that may have come from the days of Howdy Doody and Knucklehead . Which one are you ?
Apr 18, 2012 at 8:04 a.m.
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@analertcitizen, nice try, but you were going to vote for Falk since she announced. Your extreme leftist post history gives you up. You are even one of the few still supporting President Obama's policies !
Apr 18, 2012 at 7:39 a.m.
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analert sounds like my kids when they tried to "threaten" me into giving them something they knew they probably wouldn't get.
Some people never mature.
Apr 18, 2012 at 7:34 a.m.
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Is Campaining on a public school grounds legal?
Ethical?
Apr 18, 2012 at 7:30 a.m.
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So Kathleen, you have to this point refused to answer questions as to how you would have balanced the state budget that was left $3b underwater by your Democratic predecessor Jim Doyle. Any chance you plan on telling the voters before the election?
Apr 18, 2012 at 6:49 a.m.
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Kathleen, would you care to mention how and by whom your promises will be paid for?
Apr 18, 2012 at 6:46 a.m.
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Near the end of the article, she lists all the groups looking for handouts who support her. who woulda thought.
Apr 18, 2012 at 6:24 a.m.
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To increase you're property and state taxes vote Democrat. That's as straight forward and honest as I can be.
Even Liberals on this site would agree. "But it's for the children".
Apr 18, 2012 at 6:03 a.m.
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analertcitizen....oh puleeeze!
Apr 18, 2012 at 5:34 a.m.
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poohbah
Her speech must have been geared to that age group, along with the 2 year old. Don't tell Fawk that they can't vote.
Apr 18, 2012 at 5:12 a.m.
Apr 18, 2012 at 12:11 a.m.
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Maybe it's just intuition, but Governor Falk.....not going to happen!
Apr 18, 2012 at 12:06 a.m.
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You must be a newcomer to politics truecitizen.
Oh wait...you're just joshin' us, right?
Apr 18, 2012 at 12:02 a.m.
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Falk is more in the pockets of the unions, and more narrow minded in the general politics she is of (democrat)--than Walker is with any of his so-called 'special interests' and big rich friends. At least Walker took a stance, and didn't spew out typical sounding "vote for me" lingo. He got elected and did what he had to do to even the playing field for Wisconsin citizens. Not just union members.
Apr 17, 2012 at 10:39 p.m.
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I love this whole blog. I wasn't necessarily going to vote for Falk but because of your comments I actually looked up her record. I may vote for her now. Thanks fedup, vataloco,jv93,poorrichard,TCB,eviller,Drtalk,totell etc. The more you talk, the more people are swayed in the other direction. Keep it up.
Apr 17, 2012 at 10:22 p.m.
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Really Sigma where do you see her "boozin it up"?
Actually she was talking about her desire to enhance mental health programs...which you should seriously consider enrolling in.
Apr 17, 2012 at 9:57 p.m.
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How does that sit with people that she is out boozin it up at a bar?
Apr 17, 2012 at 9:48 p.m.
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wislady asked, "Is that typical, to have political rallies at grade schools?"
Certainly not for Walker.
Apr 17, 2012 at 8:35 p.m.
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So, Falk agreed to veto the entire state budget if collective bargain privileges are not reverted back to 2010 status. Union bosses then handpicking Falk really shows their blinding power hungry agenda, considering she has no almost no chance of winning the general. Union protestors really need to get a grip and not let their spitting rage control their actions.
Apr 17, 2012 at 8:19 p.m.
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"assembled crowd of about 30"
Is that counting the 2 year old and his teddy bear?
"She had a rally at the outside of Jefferson Elementary School in Janesville."
Is that typical, to have political rallies at grade schools?
Apr 17, 2012 at 8:07 p.m.
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Exactly TCB.
Apr 17, 2012 at 7:05 p.m.
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Once again, many go to their talking points and repeat their puppetmaster's points. Disrespecting, demeaning, and ignoring the facts about our current Gov.'s disregard for values such as building the middle-class (which results in greater buying power to spur any economy), protecting the future for our children, providing the best preparation for a global economy. . . talk about puppet strings, but fedup, et. al. must be CLINGING to their talking points now. . . . are your knuckles turning white??
Apr 17, 2012 at 6:47 p.m.
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"The biggest difference is that I not only have union backing..."
--Falk
The reason she got the backing of the union is because she agree to veto any legislation that didn't restore all union rights. That basically amounts to a bribe. This will be her downfall.
Apr 17, 2012 at 6:18 p.m.
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So Kidsfirst, are you saying that you support deficit spending, higher taxes and letting unions run out of control? If so, please get a clue. I am all for Falk. If she beats Barrett in the primary, then Gov. Walker will win IN a bigger landslide! STAND WITH WALKER!!
Apr 17, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
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Hmmm, must have flown in on her broom during the recent wind storms...
Apr 17, 2012 at 6:11 p.m.
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Wow, Ms Falk really went out on a limb stating that she supports public financed public schools! That will resonate with voters.
Next we will learn Ms Falk believes in clean water and jobs! Maybe she can take young Gage on the campaign stump and promis him a good paying, green economy, shovel ready job when he is 18?
Say it with me: Platitude.
Her campaign is one based on platitudes:
American Heritage Dictionary:
plat·i·tude
Top
(plăt'ĭ-tūd', -tyūd')
n.
1.A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. See synonyms at cliché.
2.Lack of originality; triteness.
Please vote for this woman.
Apr 17, 2012 at 5:16 p.m.
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Thats Lord help us.
Apr 17, 2012 at 5:16 p.m.
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Load help us if this women becomes gov.
Apr 17, 2012 at 5:13 p.m.
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jv93 -- prepare to be surprised
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fedup -- is that the best you can do? Here we have a candidate who has experience in consensus building, settling contracts -- from both sides of a bargain, managed a sizable government budget, is in touch with WI values. . . the comment was pretty pitiful.
Apr 17, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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It would surprise me if she gets any votes.
Apr 17, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
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I am registered with Neiman-Marcus.
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