Knilans might need a place to stay. You know Ryan won't let you guys in.

Staying right there in the basement eh?

No, Brotherkoch. I'll be staying right here. I may be one of only a few voices crying in the political wilderness that Janesville is, pointing the way to economic sanity, but I won't be driven out of Janesville by political bigots who seem to think that Janesville is for Democrats only.

onedayatatime, did they say where the $4000 came from? Someone must have made up the difference through another source?

What would be interesting is to see if she would have won, if she hadn't had the title "Democrat" next to her name and Joe with "Republican" next to his name.

It is becoming more and more, less about the name in bold and more about the small title next to that person's name. People are voting for parties not people.

I really wish our society wasn't so partisan politics driven and more like our not-for-profit organizations or charities where everyone comes together because they can see the greater good when people set aside their differences and roll up their sleeves.

Billn. Time to go shopping for real estate in Waukesha?

wis, we are talking about WI here, not FL. Try to stay on topic if your attention span allows.

No, Ms. Kolste didn't ride any coattails, but hard work wasn't what swept her into office last Tuesday either. The 44th is loaded with folks who'll vote for anyone with a "D" next to their names. Remember, this is the district that fell only about 500 votes from returning Mike Sheridan to office even after he'd so thoroughly disqualified himself by dating a lobbyist who had a business interest before the assembly at the same time.

The hard work that Ms. Kolste put in came during the primary campaign. That's when all the door to door handshaking really paid off. Once she won the primary, the die was cast.

As long as Ms. Kolste toes the Democrat party line, doesn't break the law or make a complete fool of herself she can stay in the Assembly for as long as she likes. We don't demand much from our Assembly representatives here in the 44th, as long as they vote the way the Democrat party leaders tell them to that's enough.

916, the exit polls showed that the recall race was neck and neck on party lines; the votes that put Walker over the top were the independent voters who didn't like the idea that a governor could be recalled because he did something the people didn't like; they thought he should be given a full term and if the people didn't like him then, they could vote him out of office but not before his full term was up. It was all over the papers - you can look it up.

"Wisconsin voters had strong opinions on the merit of recall elections. Sixty percent told exit pollsters that recall elections are only appropriate when there has been official misconduct, and another 10 percent think such elections are never appropriate. Just 27 percent of Wisconsin voters supported holding recall elections for any reason.

Minds were made up about this race long ago. Remarkably, just 8 percent of Wisconsin voters decided on their candidate in the last few days; more than nine in 10 made up their minds before that."

donnaw..if your are interested in what the Affordable Healthcare Act actually does for small businesses....
http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/document...
"Value: All plans (regardless of grandfathered status) will have to report the proportion of their income from premiums that are used on medical care and quality improvement. If this amount (called the Medical Loss Ratio or MLR) is less than 80%, small businesses and individuals enrolled in the plan will receive a rebate." http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8...
Channel 3 had a segment a few weeks ago where one small business owner received a $4,000 rebate check from his insurance company because of this provision in Obama care.

Congrats Deb, I know you will listen and compromise with the constituents......unlike Joe

I think Joe just figured out that Sheriden lost last time--he didn't win because people just love him--that's what puppets get , maybe master walker or the real masters--koch bros. will have some entry job a parrot could handle.

wislady, you are the ignorantest commenter that these comments have ever seen. The Florida redistricting was a GOP map. And the GOP map couldn't even save Allen Tea Party West.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-...
.
Florida Governor: Rick Scott (R)
Florida Senate Majority Leader: Mike Haridopolos (R)
Florida Speaker of the House: Dean Cannon (R)
.
It's a 3-R joint. Allegedly, it was the GOP in Florida that did not want Allen West to keep his seat, at least, according to this easily dismissed far-loony-left source:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/0...

dtb

You are aware that when the dems are in power, as in Florida, they draw the lines to their advantage also. Perfect example, West.

joe the "tool" fell out of walkers pocket....thanks joe

Eagle1, apparently some people do devote a lot of their life to politics and over-the-top zeal. During the final week before the election there was a "3 alias" person that would paste dozens of web links to promote his opinions. Finding the links must have chewed up half his morning.

Do you people really get this excited about a politician that will probably not do anything, this is not a knock on Deb it is reality, she is a member of the Assembly, big deal. I am always baffled by people's over the top praise/hatred of politicians, do you give up that much of your life to these people you get that excited about them winning or losing? If that is true and this goes to Dems and Republicans we are up S creek because the individual spirit of America is dead. Lovely

"Scotty vilified himself by trying to pass things that are unconstitutional the liberals had nothing to do with that."
--Before we start calling legislation unconstitutional, let's give the state's high court an opportunity to determine whether or not it is......

Walker won the recall election because, "many people that didn't think he should have to face a recall for less than criminal violations"?? That has to be the joke of the day! You don't seriously believe that......do you?!? If yes, please don't ever label anyone as being delusional--because there's that saying about people in glass houses.........

Don't be deluded 916. The results in WI were in large part due to the fact that the repubs redrew the lines to their advantage. How else do you explain the repub majorities vs. voting for Obama and Baldwin? And remember what put Walker over the top in June was not a mandate from the right but the many people that didn't think he should have to face a recall for less than criminal violations.

Congratulations, Deb! It's nice to see this city support the superior candidate.

Republicans and Democrats....until we can get rid of them from the top on down the law-abiding, working class will continue downhill until there are none left.

916-Scotty vilified himself by trying to pass things that are unconstitutional the liberals had nothing to do with that. I have noticed while the campaigns were going on Scotty was kind of laying low. Hoping for one of his "good ol' boys" to get elected. Sorry not this time. I admit that Obama isn't the greatest president ever but he is still doing good things and he is not going to leave people in the cold like the others would have.
God bless all and have a great day! :-)

Wow......So much hate and bitterness on display from our compassionate liberal friends! In case some of you haven't noticed, the majority of Wisconsin's voters do agree with the path that Walker is taking the state down. As evidenced by the fact that every branch of the state government, the executive, legislative and judicial, have been placed under republican control, is telling of the direction the state's residents want our state to take. It would be nice if some people give Walker, the republicans and their reforms a chance rather than vilifying from the outset.......Hope and change for Wisconsin beginning in 2012!!!!:)

No Show Joe can get in line with the rest of the people trying to get one of the 20K [sic] jobs he helped create.

I am confident that Deb Kolste is going to be an outstanding voice for the 44th district. Sure, Deb is a democrat and is very much in line with the many ideals of her party (but so are upwards of 60% of the 44th district). However, Deb is a very level headed individual that is going to listen to everyone and do what is in the best interest of the majority of her district. She will not simply fall in line with all of her party’s ideologies. She is a very intelligent woman that is going to continue to do great things for this community. I could not be happier for her and more importantly our district.

Is Fedup trying to escape the home ?

Way to go Deb This Was about Deb not others abd since you Opened the can I will add to it.
bleedingheart keep bleeding And if you would go and read the *affordable healthcare bill* YOU MIGHT LEARN more then the lies that you were fed by your candidates as many di and knew the TRUTH and that is why Obama and Biden are still here. Donnaw you still cannot GET IT The plan majes it so all PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HELTHCARE AND THE THE HEALTH PROVIDERS CANNOT BILK THE PEOPLE Go read the truth of it before you spit your lies about it Maybe then you can tell the Truth, I thought the LIARS got voted out.... http://www.healthcare.gov/law/index.html...
Congrats Deb Kolste, OBAMA?BIDEN

So long, Joe Knilans - we hardly knew ye (but that was apparently enough for us, party-line Walker lackie that you proved yourself to be!).

bleedingheart...Obamacare covers EVERYTHING if you're a democrat, an illegal alien or on unemployment, or if you need birth control. But not if you're a senior citizen, a working guy or gal who doesn't need welfare, or a small business.

bleeding_heart, in Wisconsin, elected officials are not eligible for unemployment (some states do offer it, though). Good question.
https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui201/b7201.ht...
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Congratulations to Rep.-elect Kolste! Janesville will now be represented appropriately by a proud liberal who will protect workers rights, education, and health care, instead of doing dirty work for the rich and comfortable. I'm sure, by the way, that one of them will throw Joe a bone, as he's been such a well-behaved puppy for them.

No more "amendments" to Act 10 from rubber stamps for Socott Walker. Deb better represents the majority here in Janesville, Joe fooled a lot of people last time, never happen again. Now if we can just change how we elect school board members in Janesville we can have our entire community back. It is encouraging to see so many other communities pass referendums in the area, good to see some folks still care about great schools and investing in them.

ifiriledtheworld- fed up or winterstinks - back on signing up yesterday under a new name. Clever.

Sure, Kolste is a "Nice" person. She is simply a bleeding heart liberal. She will vote with the Dems. Pure and simple.

I'm disappointed with you, Deb. you should have stayed in the nonprofit sector where you could do good; not enter the political arena where you will do harm.

I agree with Ms. Kolste- she did not ride anyone's "coattails" to win this election. She won it with hard work and a record. She also won it,in part, because her opponent described himself on the " As Goes Janesville" video as a "tool" when talking to the 5.0 leaders. No one wants a public representative to be a " tool" for anyone. Very poor choice of words on his part but I think based on his accurate feelings at the time.They used him. They can hire him.

Serious question - Are ousted politicians eligible for unemployment? Not so serious questions - Are companies desperate to hire individuals with backsides full of bedsores? Will Obamacare cover the treatment for said bedsores?

Don't worry Joe! You can have one of the 250,000 jobs your buddy Scotty Walker is creating. See you at Walmart!

Told ya so Joe
You and Wynn bought into whatever Walker wanted. Now sacrificial lambs to enhance Laudenbach's district with the redistricting you both swore secrecy to. Only to be thrown out like a day old gazette. Who has your back now.
LMAO

"Thanks Joe, Now Go."