Hey the beer summit worked for Obama after his making silly comments, perhaps this will work for mike tate and his people too.

jcommon, I'm actually not at all surprised that so many Wisconsinites pin their hopes on this "summit" and feel that having our elected officials imbibe alcohol and eat ground up animals encased in animal intestines is somehow going to help our legislative process. Good luck with that.

I guess brats and drinks for votes is the only way you can get democrats out.

poobah,
This is the start of Walker trying to get everyone to work together. If you can't even make an effort for something like this, how do you expect them to make progress anywhere else. These politicians represent their constituents, and should make every effort for those said constituents. But of course you don't care about that, party politics must be more important for you.

There have been numerous job fairs held throughout Wisconsin this past year, where have you been?

It would have been more productive to have had the democrats working with the governor this past year, rather than against him. Walker continued to work with business owners to create jobs, democrats spent their time and money working against creating jobs.

I would like to know if they are going to place this on their time sheets for travel and meals. It sounds like it is a personal invite since it includes the families of the lawmakers.

Wislady, it's wrong when either side does it. The maps should be drawn up to benefit the people of Wisconsin and be as equal as possible, not either party.

916, we are still last in job growth in the country. A jobs special session to address this issue would be great. I think it should be noted that Doyle and the Dems could have pushed through public employee union contracts before the end of the last session but they waited. They went on record saying that they would allow the newly elected officials negotiate the contracts. I don't think that the current assembly/senate/gov would do that.

Also, they could have compromised on lots of things in Act 10. It wasn't black and white. No bill is a one line of legislation, there are a lot of sections. The dems offered amendment after amendment that were voted down without any discussion.

"I also believe that anyone not attending this event should be voted out in the next election."

Voted out of office for NOT attending a beer bash. Only in Wisconsin.

I hope they have sauerkraut for the brats. Nothing like sauerkraut on a good brat. Do you think they'll cook the brats in beer first and then grill them???? There is just so many variables. I can't wait to go. I'll give you all a report later on how it went.

concerned..."the democrats wanted compromise back in February and March of last year but they were told that there would be no negotiation"
Yes, they were--Because the issue was black and white. The Republicans(apparently along with the majority of the state's residents) wanted to do away with collective bargaining for public workers unions, the democrats demanded that it be retained. The Republicans had been given the power to push their legislation, while the democrats no longer had the power to push theirs. How would you have introduced compromise into this situation? Collective bargaining for 1/2 the year and then removing it for the second half??:)
I also agree--and laugh at--the fact that now the liberals are condemning the Republicans for their unwillingness to compromise. All of the things that they have introduced legislation for the democrats have shot down for nearly a decade during Doyle's reign. Now the shoe is on the other foot.....Finally!:)

concernedwi........I'm still trying to figure out what legislation is so critical that you would suggest Walker call a special session to take care of it??

Look back to the redistricting done previously, that ended up in the courts also. it generally benefits the party in power, nothing new here.

http://search.legis.wisconsin.gov/result...

Did they decide on what brand of brats their making???? I'll bring the potato salad and baked beans. Maybe to keep the state surplus at an even higher level they should grill hotdogs and have Old Milwaukee to keep costs down. I hope every one can get along and have a wonderful day.

BTW,
I also believe that anyone not attending this event should be voted out in the next election. I am very disappointed that Steve Nass will not be attending that's for sure. This could actually be a start to actually working on what is good for the state and not worrying about what is good or bad for your particular party.

Wislady, this is a PR stunt plain and simple. Real compromise will be reached during a legislative session. And yes Lehman's district will be gone because of Maps that a Republican legislature redrew them.

If Lehman is declared the winner, he will only hold the position for a few months. He will have won a district that no longer exists due to redistricting.

Jc, the democrats wanted compromise back in February and March of last year but they were told that there would be no negotiation. As they are the minority, it is up to the majority to show they want compromise and to work together.

Funny how the dems now want the republicans to "reach across the aisle" Usually, the loosing party are the ones who have to compromise. Democrats had the chance to compromise back in January, but instead decided to try a recall election. Well, that failed. The winners happen to be the taxpayers and voters of Wisconsin. I suggest that maybe the loosing side should start to compromise because you don't have much else left to do.

If democrats want to prove they are "reaching across the aisle" to work with Walker, then Pocan, Erpenbach, and Roys need to step up to the plate and attend the event today.
In light of the upcoming congressional races that Pocan and Roys are involved in, today will be very telling. Can they put differences aside and work for everyone in Wisconsin? I believe Tammy Baldwin will attend.

Wislady, I am fairly confident that Lehman will win even with a recount. And in my world it is possible. He is going to be governor until 2014 and halting any proposed legislation until then won't do anyone any good. I've worked with people in my job that I couldn't stand on a personal level. But sometimes you have to do things you do like to get a job done. In your world, can you see Walker working with those radical democrats that fled the state and have caused all of these problems? Or should he just take this as a mandate and push his agenda without budging?

Judas gave up Christ for a few coins. Walker hopes to buy the Dems with a Brat and a Beer.

concernedwi

No session needed. Lehman has not been declared the winner yet.

And in your world, is it possible for democrats to work with the governor?

birdman..thank you!

RAF, any bill that is rushed through is a bad thing. The public as well as the legislators should have time to fully digest any proposed bills because it's never as simple as this is a bill to do A but buried inside is a provision to do B.

Wislady, if the Republicans held the majority it can almost be guaranteed that a special session would be called. The dems having the majority in the senate blocks a rubber stamp to anything proposed. Having a special session over the summer, where debate and compromise would have to be made to pass any legislation would show that Walker is really willing to reach across the aisle and work with the dems.

Starbuck, you are another example of those awful extremists...from BOTH sides of the aisle...who have so little real world experience that they make comments such as “...nazi...”, “regime”, “minions”, and so on.
. . .
Visit Europe, Starbuck, and see the death camps. See the slave labor camps. Visit Budapest and see the Danube River memorial to the political victims: Lined up on the wall, forced to remove their shoes, and then shot into the river. Go to the Terror Museum a few blocks away, Starbuck, and see what ACTUAL totalitarian police state is about. Visit the torture chambers there, with the truncheons and electric shock devices still in place...in small tiled cells with floor drains so the blood could be more easily washed away.
. . .
Visit Oslo, Starbuck, and see the execution site of union leaders whom the real Nazis shot in order to make an example. Visit Trondheim and see the tall Gestapo headquarters building there, preserved so that we might all remember. Notice the bars on the upper windows, Starbuck. The tortured prisoners were so tormented they chose to leap from the high windows to their death. Until the Nazis...gee, you must really love that word, Starbuck...barred the windows so the terror would be total!
. . .
Until you do, Starbuck, you spew only putrid, hateful rhetoric. And ignorance. You should be ashamed.
. . .
Had you spoken, or written as you do under the Swastika, the Arrow & Cross, or the Hammer and Sickle, you and your family would have been disappeared. And those who were shot right away were the lucky ones.
. . .
You can look up these places and things on line, Starbuck. Do it. Maybe you’d give our American political process, its participants, and supporters a little more respect.

I still laugh at all the posters, mostly from the left isle, that claim the fleeing 14 were doing the right thing slowing down the process. Stating things like ensuring all have their say or all should have input or at least read the bills are important.

Funny how most of these same people never expressed this view when the last state legislature and the then gov rushed through a budget in under 36 hours that had more than 1 billion in new taxes and fees. Many of the same were silent over the heathcare bills that were rushed through with hundreds of pages when the then speaker of the house stated it had to get passed so people could see what was in it [my paraphrase of that wonderful speech].

"The 14 Democrats fled a lynching"
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More of the great liberal civil tone...

I've heard that in a continuation of his recent legislative initiatives, Walker will be demanding that those attending his beer bash contribute a minimum of 20% to the cost of their beer and brats. Attendees will be provided with an autographed Walker 2014 yard sign to use as a place mat.

I would like to know who is paying for the shindig. Is the event at his personal residence or the Governors Mansion?

concernedwi

So a few of the dems are going to continue their protesting ....but then believe the Legislature or Walker should call a special session for them (assuming the get the majority). Now why would they do that? If Lehman is declared the winner, the majority is in name only since there are no sessions until after January.

Big surprise there! He NEVER wants the Media any where he is. Might just say or do something that will make everyone see what he really is all about!

If Walker wants to extend the olive branch, he needs to do more than a beer and a brat. I don't really care who comes to this get together from either side. The truth will be shown through actions not words. Chris Larson put out a statement that he isn't attending and if the governor wants to show true bi-partisanship he should call a special session while the Democrats hold the majority.

2cents, I read an opinion that said that open meetings laws wouldn't be in effect if business isn't discussed. The opinion also said that the supreme court ruled that open records laws don't apply to the state government so even if politics are discussed there isn't a violation.

I will stand with the people who stayed in Wisconsin and did their jobs.

Thank you, Governor Walker and the republicans who have remained strong despite the death threats, protests, and assaults on their families on a daily basis.

It is far easier to run across the state line and claim you are doing it to help the democratic system.

A bill that has 62 hours of straight debate is hardly "under-the-table - without meaningful debate, discussion, input from all"

So, democrats, show how much you want to compromise....tomorrow will be very telling.

Walkers ilk cares not for open meetings laws.

I thought when a quorum is together it is considered a open meeting unless posted closed? I could be wrong but just a comment. Oh, but maybe no one will talk politics. AHEM

One added comment - My point in saying that I felt the "14" represented me by supporting democratic process was this:

I believe that the first responsibility of any elected official is to ensure that the process of government is open, fair, and un-rushed, and that all interested parties have ample opportunity for input and due consideration before final decisions are made. This duty supersedes - or should supersede - any partisan interests.

Right-on, PanamaRed, whe you said "The 14 Democrats fled a lynching, not an invitation to be heard."

I felt very much represented by the 14...... and I think they represented all of Wisconsin in the sense that they were supporting democratic process. In the long run, it's in nobody's best interest for an administration to push important and high-impact bills like the budget bill through almost under-the-table - without meaningful debate, discussion, input from all, and a willingness to compromise at least a little.

I agree that elected officials - regardless of party - are supposed to represent the interests of us all, not just a slight majority that might have voted for them. Yet this administration (so far, at least) has acted as though the nearly half of the state that opposes them does not even exist. When I see some real dialog between the parties and some evidence of willingness to compromise on the part of the Gov and his followers, I will believe that we have returned to some sort of proper government. Maybe it's coming. I'll give the benefit of the doubt for now.......but I'm not holding my breath.

"Did you call out the 14 that fled the state in the same way?"
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funny tiredofhearingit. The 14 Democrats fled a lynching, not an invitation to be heard. What could be Nass's justification for skipping out on Walkers invitation for trying to get past the bipartisanship?

Democrats/public sector unions will be busy finding a way to claim that public sector workers had contracts that cannot be altered. They never had contracts with the taxpayers who are footing the bill because taxpayers were never represented at the bargaining table. The socalled "contracts" were made between the public sector unions and public sector workers: both benefactors! This, in and of itself, makes the contracts null and void.

If I were him, I'd close everything to the left leaning media, always.

Speaking of brats, Nash and Pocan are acting like a couple of them. Would it help heal the wounds of Gazetteexta.com posters if we held a bi-partisan party to track down Pocan and Nass, tar and feather them, and toss them over the fence at the Governor's bash? We could call ourselves the "Brat-Busters".

When ya got a rep, and he won't do right,
Who ya gonna call... Brat-Busters!

If your senator, is acting like a schlepp,
Who ya gonna call... Brat-Busters!

I ain't afraid of no pol.

I heard the two of them will be busy hosting a chicken summit in Rockford, Illinois.

PanamaRed - that's almost funny. Did you call out the 14 that fled the state in the same way? In your own words.... "were elected to represent ALL the citizens in their district."

Funny how times have changed.

Recall Nass & Pocan!

are they having Johnsonville or Klements brats??? That could be a deciding factor on who shows up at the cookout. Wonder what kind of beer they will have????? Hmmmmmm.

"I expected much more from Mr. Pocan. On the other hand, this type of childish behavior from Mr. Nass is not surprising."

So Pocan isn't acting childish, but you think Nass is? What's the difference?

So how do you classify Erpenbach (the leader of the 14 flee baggers),since he also is not attending?

Unless someone has a prior committment (not a made up one), they should all attend.

Mr. Pocan and Mr. Nass were elected to represent ALL the citizens in their district. The basis for their decisions are supposed to be about what is right for the people they represent. BOTH need to come to terms with what it is to be an adult instead of spoiled children. I'm sure we can find someone else willing to do their job. I expected much more from Mr. Pocan. On the other hand, this type of childish behavior from Mr. Nass is not surprising.

support_local_racing got it just right about reasons to be there.

Both should attend!

Nass and Pocan both need to attend.

Hey Nass and Pocan; This is why you were elected, DO YOUR JOB!

Without the media there nobody will feel the need to posture and pretend for the media. Perhaps without the glare of the lights they can actually start accomplishing something together. One can always dream, I guess.

Figured the press wouldnt be invited. It's typical of the nazi style state run by walker.

Sent Rep. Pocan an email:
.
I am not in your district, but, as a fellow democrat, I would urge you to attend the brat summit. You suggest that nothing good can come out of sharing a brat and beer with your colleagues. I disagree. If Gov. Walker is extending an olive branch with no ulterior motives in mind, it is surely a good thing. On the other hand, if this is an underhanded attempt by Gov. Walker to make it only LOOK like he’s willing to be a bipartisan leader, *it will be apparent to everyone*. That’s not a bad thing either.
.
The only bad move here is not going and giving everyone the impression that YOU are the one not willing to move forward.

Nass and Pocan must attend.

I am glad the media will not be there. And I am disappointed in Steve Nass and sent him an email stating that. I am in his district. As someone else said, let's put on our big boy (girl) pants and get along. Enough with the back biting!

LOL, dado4.

"Mom, Mr. Nass is looking at me"!

Huge disappointment in Nass. Way to let the healing begin. Mr. Pocan, please define the meaning of "find more meaningful results"?

I certainly hope Tim Cullen attends.

They have to start somewhere, unless you are one of these two.

Of course the media won't be allowed - Walker might say something they would hold him to later.

"And Republican Steve Nass says he won't go because of comments made by Democrats over the weekend critical of Walker." - sounds like the childish behavior continues on both sides.

Maybe a texas cage match WOULD be a better way to solve the problems. Put the Assembly, Senate, Cabinet, Gov .& Lt. Gov in a steel cage with a ladder and some folding chairs and whoever is standing at the end gets to be in charge. No holds barred and no recall of the winner.

Hopefully, they can all just have a nice, friendly day and relax. No media....good. The media has caused a lot of the problems over the past two years. Anything for a story....facts be darned.

"Mommmmm...Sen Pocan is on my side of the table!"

Steve Nass' attitude is disappointing. Of course some Democrats are going to lash out right after the hugely embarrassing recall loss. Winners need to be magnanimous, Steve. Not petty. Leave the pettiness to Mr. Pocan. I hope the Governor leans on him a bit in the hopes of changing his mind.

Inviting the media to this would be the same as inviting sharks to a goldfish convention...
Good for him.

Good!
No posturing.
No posing.
Just do it.
Be men and sort it out.

Well.....seems like bi-partisanship is doing GREAT !! No Republican spoke any ill words of President Obama or Mayor Barrett during the last State Republican Convention !!! CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER.....and thank you for the report Steven Nass.