That's right. Gov. Scott Walker (R-FitzWalkerStan), king of the lying attack ad, is chiding others for running negative campaigns. Seriously.
Unfortunately, this isn't a real change in his attitude towards politics, but an intervention of sorts in the bitter rivalry in the Republican primary leading up to the election of a replacement for retiring US Senator Herb Kohl (R-Wis).
The GOP governor said last month that he would stay neutral in the four-way Aug. 14 primary, but would play the role of "referee" in case anyone got out of line. At a news conference in the state Capitol on Tuesday, he said he wished the candidates took a more positive tone in the increasingly nasty race.The current Republican candidates are:"I haven't dropped the flag yet, but it's getting pretty close," he told reporters. "I think there are four outstanding candidates in the primary and I think they would be well served, not just in the primary but in the general election, if they would stay focused on the differences between themselves and Congressman Baldwin because I think the differences are substantial and they're important."
Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (brother of State Senate Bully and Former Majority Leader Scott Fizgerald)
Businessman and hedge fund manager Eric Hovde
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann (frequent primary candidate in US Senate and Gubernatorial elections who keeps on losing in the primaries)
Former Gov. Tommy G. Thompson
The winner of the August 14 primary will face U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, who has no primary opponent and is currently leading all 4 Republicans in the current polls.
Walker has not endorsed any candidate yet and says he will announce only who he voted for AFTER the primary. Interesting to note that he said the same thing about the Lt. Governors primary in 2010 while information available from the John Doe Probe indicates that part of the unlawful political work done by his Milwaukee County Executive office aides while on the taxpayers dime was fundraising for one of those candidates (who ultimately lost the primary to Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch (Tea Bagger, FitzWalkerStan).
Of course, his irritation at other Republicans at attacking each other completely ignores the fact that he, himself survived the Gubernatorial primary in 2010 with the use of attack ads. No, Scotty, I haven't forgotten. I have a long, long memory.
If you would like to donate to Tammy Baldwins US Senate campaign, you can do so through Act Blue here.