Wisconsinites Draft Mike McCabe for Governor |
News - Articles for State & Local |
Written by GBP Staff |
Thursday, 04 May 2017 08:56 |
http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgPeople from all walks of life call on Blue Jean Nation's Mike McCabe, a non-partisan author and true independent, to step into the political arena and run for Governor in 2018. GREEN BAY - Looking for a new type of candidate to challenge Scott Walker for governor? That's what a grassroots group of 190 concerned citizens from all parts of Wisconsin and many different walks of life all say we need. On Wednesday, the group delivered a letter to Blue Jean Nation founder and president Mike McCabe, of rural Altoona, who they believe would be the ideal Candidate for Governor in the 2018 election. McCabe, 56, is the author of Blue Jeans in High Places: The Coming Makeover of American Politics and for 15 years was the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan watchdog group that specializes in tracking the money in state elections and works for reforms aimed at making people matter more than money in politics. He has been a frequent contributor and blogger on these pages. These citizens are tired of the procession of traditional Republican and Democratic politicians who they say have seized the levers of government in Wisconsin and are now being manipulated by those interested primarily in self-enrichment and personal power. "We need you to run because of who you are and where you are from," they say to McCabe in their letter. "Rural Wisconsin is in crisis, and the rural-urban divide is growing disturbingly wide. You are farm raised and have deep rural roots, so you have what so few of today’s politicians have, namely an understanding of rural life and the challenges small-town residents face and an ability to speak their language." The citizens believe Mike is "a public servant in the truest sense" and are asking him to run because "Wisconsin politics has grown corrupt and there is no one in our state who has worked harder for a longer time and done more to fight political corruption than you." Before joining the Democracy Campaign’s staff in 1999 and becoming its director in 2000, Mike worked for six years as communications director and legislative liaison for the Madison Metropolitan School District. He has run a statewide civic education program for the nonprofit Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. He also formerly worked as a newspaper reporter and as a legislative aide for three Republican members of the Wisconsin State Assembly. In his early years, Mike served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the West African country of Mali. While at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Mike co-authored Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America’s Heartland for the Midwest Democracy Network and while at the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance co-wrote The Framework of Your Wisconsin Government as well as a curriculum guide on state and local government for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. McCabe is a true independent and has shined light on the misdeeds of Republicans and Democrats alike. He has been speaking truth to power for decades as a nonpartisan government watchdog. When contacted for comment by the Green Bay Progressive on Wednesday, Mike told us that he "is interested" in a possible run for Governor and may try to put together a "campaign after Labor Day" should interest continue to grow. As of now, no money has been raised for the campaign, but Mike hopes to follow the "small individual donor" model used by Bernie Sanders when and if the campaign begins. **** A copy of the letter including a complete list of the signers is presented below: Wisconsinites Unite to Draft Mike McCabe for Governor Dear Mike, We strongly urge you to run for governor. Our reason is obvious: the levers of political power have been seized and are being manipulated by those interested primarily in self-enrichment and personal power. The actions of those who currently control the Capitol are extremely short-sighted as well as morally and ethically corrupt, and sap our state of its underlying strength and vitality. The people sense this, and are hungry for a different kind of leadership. You are the right answer. You are an upright man, not interested in self-enrichment or power for power’s sake, with a feeling for the needs of others and your country. We are aware that you would rather not run for office. With the landscape littered with professional politicians and career office holders, your understandable and admirable reluctance to run only makes you more appealing to us and enhances your viability as a candidate. Added to that, you are a natural leader, with a vision of what is right, a rare gift for putting that vision into words, along with uncommon sense about how to turn words into actions. Also, the timing is right. We need you to run because of who you are and where you are from. Rural Wisconsin is in crisis, and the rural-urban divide is growing disturbingly wide. You are farm raised and have deep rural roots, so you have what so few of today’s politicians have, namely an understanding of rural life and the challenges small-town residents face and an ability to speak their language. We need you to run because the major parties are broken and you belong to no political party. You are a true independent and have been speaking truth to power for decades as a nonpartisan government watchdog. For decades you have shined light on the misdeeds of Republicans and Democrats alike, and have blown the whistle on them without fear or favor. That makes you a public servant in the truest sense. That’s what Wisconsin needs now more than ever. We need you to run because Wisconsin politics has grown corrupt and there is no one in our state who has worked harder for a longer time and done more to fight political corruption than you. Truth is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity in our society, and no one in our state has demonstrated a greater devotion to truth telling than you and been more willing than you to speak the truth even when few want to hear it and some actively seek to silence it. Because of who you are, where you are from and what you stand for, we believe you will find a deep vein of support across the state. We know running would be a huge sacrifice for you and your family. But now is the time. Your state and country are crying out for the kind of leadership you would provide. Politics and government are fouled up, and Wisconsin has lost its way. We need a jolt to the system. Wisconsin needs you. Signers: Paul Linzmeyer, business leader De Pere Rick Adamski, farmer Seymour Mark Neumann, physician La Crosse Joe Mastalski, retired pharmacist Hazelhurst Ed Gorell, farmer Eleva Matthew Wiltzius, cook Stevens Point Rhonda Sitnikau, stylist Green Bay Phil Blazkowski, regional planner Janesville Stephanie Ortiz, domestic abuse prevention coordinator & Black Lives United, Green Bay Brian Gronski, farmer Suamico Masood Akhtar, entrepreneur Middleton Cory Schneider, insurance salesman Stevens Point Catherine Parker, librarian & town board member, Lake Tomahawk Corina Norrbom, physician Rothschild Casey Hicks, student Green Bay Jeanne and Dan Patenaude Butternut Ellen Johnson, nurse La Crosse Geraldine Hamm, wellness coordinator, Waupaca Dr. Paul Summerside, retired health care CEO, De Pere Roger Schnitzler, publishing company owner, Wisconsin Dells Ed Busby, IT technician & retired educator, Park Falls Nick Dutton, insurance agent La Crosse Monica Hofmann, nurse practitioner La Crosse Avery Van Gaard, landscaper La Crosse Avrum Lank, author & retired journalist, Whitefish Bay Ben Welch, animator Hortonville Jay Graff, military veteran & chauffeur service owner, Waupun Paul Ahrens, student Green Bay Dr. Thomas Wiltzius, psychologist Appleton Monica and Ken Golomski, retired educators, De Pere Katie Groves Sparta Jennie Black, resort owner Hazelhurst Ralph Knudson, retired family practice physician, La Crosse Dave Pauly, insurance executive Madison Mary Oldenburg, student La Crosse Hiroshi Kanno, retired farmer & World War II internment camp survivor, Wisconsin Dells Arlene Kanno, retired science teacher Wisconsin Dells Kathy and Chuck Ivey La Crosse Mark Scheffler, financial services manager, Appleton Ake Stroede Wausau Mike Ouimette, bartender Hazelhurst Rich Langan Green Bay Chuck Young, retired college professor, La Crosse Lynn and Nancy Utesch, farmers Kewaunee Steven Goschey, contractor Random Lake Ann Tyndall, chaplain La Crosse Nino Amato, senior citizen group leader & former utility executive Middleton Paul Willems, military veteran & publishing business owner Green Bay Joan Hauer, registered nurse Minocqua Kathy Lefevre, county supervisor Green Bay Tanner Klein, student Stevens Point Stephen Minnema, minister La Crosse Jim Snyder, realtor Arbor Vitae Jennie Kleven, physician La Crosse Judd Van De Hei, business owner De Pere Sara Bell, health care educator Fond du Lac Hank Roessell, retired police detective Hazelhurst Peter Gorski, grocery co-op employee La Crosse Deborah and Jim Kinder Wisconsin Dells Laura Grovogel, health care professional, Allouez Michael and Nancy Slattery, farmers Maribel Samuel Birenbaum, student Eau Claire Kris Edwards, project manager La Crosse Jeff Kane, gas station service Hazelhurst Phillip Marquart, data manager La Crosse Peggy Snyder, office secretary Woodruff Jenny Chevalier, independent business owner, Green Bay Adriel Denae, musician & arts organization leader, Appleton Curt Christianson, retired teacher Mercer Kris Molinaro, speech therapist Minocqua Cathy and Gary Simmons, retired teachers, Arbor Vitae Charlie Frisk, retired science teacher Green Bay Courtney Zambon, student Green Bay Jim and Jeannie Groskreutz La Crosse Jane Jacobi, registered nurse Minocqua Russ Kopp, tile setter Lac du Flambeau Jeannie Linzmeyer, arts business operator, De Pere Richard and Lisbeth Reynertson La Crosse Debra Kopp, housewife Lac du Flambeau Dmitri Martin Waupaca Dr. Robert Pyne, college administrator, De Pere Mary Kubinet, customer service representative, Woodruff Deborah Buffton, college professor La Crosse Joe Augitto, architect Hazelhurst Pete Angilello, school librarian Green Bay Vic Ouimette, chamber of commerce & county board member, Mercer Joy Olson La Crosse Kim Hilliker, retired radiologist Wausau Kyle Schneider, student Green Bay Kirsten Margitan, Spanish teacher Minocqua Mary Hilliker, registered nurse & yoga instructor, Wausau Sam Prahl, electrician New London Cole Piechowski, student Green Bay Dave Maki, insurance agent Lac du Flambeau Christine Rasmussen, accounting administrative assistant, Weyauwega Katie Schierl Neenah Vicki Vohs Janesville Margie Jessup, programmer analyst Milton James Crisco Wild Rose Thomas McGrath Wausau Chuck Johnston Fitchburg Marsha Gerlach, retired food service manager, Waupaca Larry Sleznikow, instructional technologist, La Crosse Carolyn Sleznikow, registered nurse La Crosse Rachel Teske, physician Onalaska Lowell Wickman, veterinarian Oshkosh Jill Wenzel New London Sharon Locklin, health training manager, Green Bay ILah Hartung, retired human services case manager, Janesville Maria Jenquine Waupaca Connie Weeks, retired teacher Milton Bruce LaRose, retired school administrator, Hazelhurst Dave Kropilnicki, retired school custodian, Waupaca Jim Crist Madison Dawn Broderick Waupaca Betty Kossik Green Bay Elizabeth Feil, continuing education seminar planner, Altoona Nicolette Collier New London Ursula Armstrong-Neisius, selfemployed former truck driver & postal worker, Redgranite Cliff and Carol Claus Woodruff Harvey Skjerven, forestry service director, Minocqua Colleen Skjerven, dog grooming service owner, Minocqua Rebecca Thieme-Baeseman Waupaca Vern Gosdeck, math teacher Sun Prairie Andy Teichmiller, business owner Woodruff Sharon Gosdeck, dental hygienist Sun Prairie Sue Teichmiller, physician assistant Woodruff Mary Dunphy, clinical lab specialist Minocqua Erv Teichmiller, minister, business owner & county board member Woodruff Lewis Kuhlman, city planner La Crosse Kevin Hundt, student La Crosse Tom Neubauer, retired business owner, Whitefish Bay Greg Bassett, handyman & retired optician, Hazelhurst Wendy Bassett, speech pathologist Hazelhurst Bart Hebert, physical therapist Woodruff Mary Hebert, secretary Woodruff Phil Carey Madison Chuck Bohmert, retired teacher Arbor Vitae Larry Caldwell, pharmacist Minocqua Pam Caldwell, church secretary Minocqua Richard Gee, retired power plant supervisor, Minocqua Donna Gee, retired teacher Minocqua Fred Locher, retired orthopedic surgeon, St. Germain Laura Locher, artist St. Germain Lori Mastalski, paralegal Amery Ken Mastalski, industrial quality control specialist, Amery Paul Fankhauser, farmer & former meat inspector, Madison Sharon Fankhauser, business owner Madison John Margitan, retired surveyor Minocqua Bonnie Margitan, retired teacher Minocqua Obbie King, web developer La Crosse Jim Jorstad, IT director Stoddard Jane Jorstad, retired elementary school teacher, Stoddard Mark Strohsahl, retired social worker Hazelhurst Barb Strohsahl, nursing educator Hazelhurst Dave Burton, assistant school principal & former corrections officer, Arbor Vitae Kathy Burton, small business owner Arbor Vitae Kay and Mel Hoff Lake Tomahawk Andy Binder, retired salesman Minocqua Julie Clark, retired realtor Woodruff Darlene Buraczewski, accountant Maribel Mike Buraczewski, nuclear power procedure writer and operator Maribel Dorothy Buraczewski, retired retail sales clerk, Minocqua David Asman New London Dan Stephens Madison Allen Pruitt, financial services representative, La Crosse John Small, village president & county supervisor, Marathon P.J. Early, administrative coordinator St. Francis Jerry Stepaniak Wauwatosa Charles Lee, retired professor La Crosse Dannette Lank, community volunteer Whitefish Bay Doug Chapman, business training administrator, Eleva Jacki Kossik Eureka Bradley Butterfield, English professor La Crosse Susan Crutchfield, professor La Crosse Rosie Brooks, stay-at-home cook and artist, La Crosse Robert Hughes Onalaska Nancy Heerens-Knudson, retired physician assistant, La Crosse Jessica Thill, educator La Crosse Carol McKy, business services Middleton |
Last Updated on Thursday, 04 May 2017 11:14 |