Saturday, September 26, 2015

The Heartland Institute, its climate-denier senses working overtime, sez Pope is wrong on climate change


The Heartland Institute proudly promotes its contrary pose on its webpage.


Watchdog Podcast: Scott Walker is out of the race, the Pope is wrong on climate change.  (Watchdog.org., 9/25/2015)
Later, Sterling Burnett from the Heartland Institute stops by the program to take a hard look at the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis talks about wanting to help the world’s poor — a noble goal, for sure — but he also likes to talk about the need for environmental policies to stop global warming. The problem, Burnett points out, is that those environmental policies come at a high cost for the poor.

Related reading:
Toxic shock.  (The Economist, 5/26/2012)

Related posts:
The Heartland Institute proudly wears its badge of climate skepticism.  (6/20/2013)
Splashy full-page ad for a movie few want to see.  (9/20/2012)

Another State Street stalwart is closing its doors for good


For some reason -- I'll blame it on the weather -- I missed Steep & Brew in my original State Street stalwart inventory.


Photo by Retiring Guy

Steep & Brew on State Street to close after 33 years.  (Madison.com, 9/19/2015)
Steep & Brew was founded in a 144-square-foot space at 1148 Williamson St. where Ballering sold ground coffee but not cups of coffee. In 1982 he moved the operation to a 250-square-foot space in the 100 block of State Street before opening a full-fledged coffeehouse a year later in the 500 block of State Street.

Then and Now: A view from Bascom Hill


1978.  Saturday, August 26.  My first weekend in Wisconsin.



2015.  Thursday, September 24.  During a "then and now" campus photo walk.




Other Madison Then and Now posts:
Pinckney Street on the Capitol Square.  (9/23/2015)
Park Hotel/Inn on the Park, Madison Wisconsin.  (9/8/2015)
U.S Post Office and Courthouse/Madison (WI) Municipal Building.  (9/2/2015)
City-County Building.  (9/1/2015)
Veterans Administration Hospital. (8/27/2015)
The Red Gym:  When will the unobstructed view return?  (7/22/2015)
UW-Madison College of Agriculture.  (7/22/2015)
Wisconsin State Historical Society.  (7/21/2015)
UW-Madison Memorial Union.  (7/21/2015)
240 West Gilman.  (9/6/2013)
North Carroll Street between West Johnson and West Gorham.  (9/5/2013)
East Mifflin & North Pinckney.  (8/30/2013)

Scott Walker was already fading fast in North Carolina by the time he suspended his presidential campaign



The behinders in the 9/17-21 Elon University poll:
  • 4% - Mike Huckabee
  • 2% - Scott Walker, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, John Kasich
  • 1% - Rick Santorum
  • 0% - Bobby Jindal, Lindsey Graham

Related posts: 
Obviously, Scott Walker peaked way too early in North Carolina.  (8/19/2015)
Scott Walker is already yesterday's news in North Carolina.  (6/4/2015)

Ben Carson sacked for a 10-yard loss in New Hampshire



The behinders in the 9/17-23 CNN/WMUR poll:
  • 5% - Ted Cruz, Chris Christie
  • 3% - Rand Paul
  • 1% - Lindsey Grahaj
  • 0% - Scott Walker (note the starting date of the poll), Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum

Other stuff (red arrows added)


Related posts: 
Donald Trump is losing steam in New Hampshire.  (9/16/2015)
Donald Trump continues to rock New Hampshire Republicans' world.  (8/26/2015)
Speaking of panic, I see that Scott Walker is now in 8th place in New Hampshire.  (9/13/2015)
The latest from New Hampshire: Outlier poll or more evidence that Scott Walker's numbers are ebbing.  (8/11/2015)
Donald Trump cruises to another win.  (8/4/2015)
Trump stomps the competition in New Hampshire; Kasich moves up to tie Walker for 3rd
.  (7/28/215) 
Donald Trump surges into 1st place in New Hampshire.  (7/27/2015)
Jeb Bush Experiencing Some Serious Slippage in New Hampshire.  (4/16/2015) 
Big spikes for Scott Walker, Donald Trump in most recent New Hampshire poll.  (4/13/2015)
New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary voters are having trouble making up their minds.  (3/31/2015)
Another day, another New Hampshire Presidential primary poll.  (3/28/2015)
New Hampshire: Jeb Bush holds slim lead among crowded GOP pack in NBC News/Marist poll.  (2/17/2015)

Please give a warm welcome to our next speaker, Donald Trump


Our previous speaker.

Photo credit:  Facebook

As quoted in Refugee Crisis in Syria Raises Fears in South Carolina.  (The New York Times, 9/25/2015)

Another speaker claimed that "25 Syrian refugees are already living among them."  
None of Syria’s four million refugees have been resettled in this part of South Carolina in the last year, according to the State Department. Since May, a Christian nonprofit group, World Relief, has placed 32 refugees in the region, but most of them were Christians fleeing troubled countries like Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

About Jim McMillan:

State GOP disqualifies McMillan for District 36.  (GoUpstate.com, 4/5/2010)
After about two hours of testimony — during which McMillan admitted he didn't live in the district until March 31 — the committee deliberated for nearly an hour before deciding he “did not meet the constitutional and statutory requirements for filing,” said Joel Sawyer, interim executive director of the state party.

McMillan goes up against Allison again in House District 36 in western Spartanburg County.  (GoUpstate, 2/18/2012)
McMillan is co-owner and president of construction company McMillan-Carter Inc. and founder of Panacea Bio-Fuel Inc. He describes himself as “the true conservative in the race,” one who supports tax credits for families to send their children to private schools.

Jim got his butt kicked.



The Donald is likely to stir up the crowd.

Bertie McConnell Glotz (1931-2015) Warren High School Class of 1949



1949 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
1983 Warren City Directory

Once a very popular name for girls, 'Bertha' is now totally out of fashion.


Other class of 1949 members: 
Corrine Culbertson Ryan Shanshala.  (7/13/2015)
Nicholas Mangus II. (6/15/2015)
Teresa Nuhfer Sanden.  (4/13/2015)
Catherine Salapek Freeborough.  (4/10/2015)
Richard Sharp.  (3/22/2015)
Richard Hamilton.  (12/17/2014) 

Yes, folks, you won't see these moves on the floor of the U.S. House




Photo credit:  U.S. Congress

As quoted in Wisconsin Republicans praise Boehner for 'selfless' decision.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/25/2015)

Hmm.....where have we heard that 'responsibility to govern' shtick before?

Friday, September 25, 2015

Scott Walker is in a Gerry and the Pacemakers kind of mood


And that's unwelcome news!



As quoted in Walker says he'll be stay-at-home governor.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/25/2015)

Actually, I thought his extended absence chasing an impossible dream was the quality time for us.
Like a spouse returning home from a long trip on the road, the Republican governor said he believed the best way to prove he was committed to the remaining three years of his second term was to spend some quality time with his state and its citizens.

Sidebar:  "I'll Be There" was Gerry and the Pacemakers' 4th song to reach the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It debuted on December 12, 1964, and spent 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #14.

In my dreams, I imagine the Senate and Assembly Republicans making life rough for the Governor, turning the Capitol into a little....

Scott Walker to visit generous donors in Beaver Dam today



Walker to appear in Beaver Dam Friday.  (Beaver Dam Citizen, (9/23/2015)

Current gubernatorial role:  A 'meet-and-greet' with deep-pocketed donors.
Webster says Walker will be “out and about” in his role as governor in the coming weeks.  
 Apache Stainless Equipment in Beaver Dam will observe it’s 40th anniversary Friday.

The Foulkes -- in Duane's name, mostly -- have contributed just north of $64,000 to Republican candidates for office, with 15 of their 53 checks going to Scott Fitzgerald, current State Senate Majority Leader.

Catherine Donnelly Rice (1957-2015) Warren Area High School Class of 1965



1965 Dragon yearbook
Add caption

1967 Warren City Directory
  • Donnelly Kath [sic] sec Struthers Sinc (T) r707 Madison av
  • Donnelly Thos J (Evelyn A) h707 Madison Av
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Donnelly Thos J retd h707 Madison Av
  • Rice Cath D Mrs sten SW h707 Madison Av
  • Rice Merl A & Cath D; design eng SW r707 Madison Av

Catherine and Katherine are graphed here.

The #3 song on the Billboard Hot 100 when the class of '65 graduated.  (It reached #1 the following week, the Supremes' 5th single in a row to do so.)




Other members of the class of 1965:
Sharyn Steele Engle.  (8/30/2015)
Dennis Seymour.  (6/25/2015)
Alvin Whipple.  (6/17/2015)
Susan Johnson Wolfe.  (3/14/2014)

100 Years of Frank Sinatra: "Flowers Mean Forgiveness"


"Flowers Mean Forgiveness", certainly one of Sinatra's lesser recording efforts during this phase of his career, made its Billboard debut on February 25, 1956.  It spent 13 weeks on the chart and peaked at #21.  I have to admit this is the first I've ever heard of the song.



The song was composed by Al Frisch ("Two Different Worlds"), Edward R. White, and Max Wolfson.

These flowers at Glacier National Park may or may not symbolize forgiveness.

Photo credit:  Retiring Guy's dad

Other Frank Sinatra 100 posts:
"Our Love".  (2/14/2015)
"I'll Never Smile Again".   (2/15/2015)
"Fools Rush In".  (2/16/2015)
"Dolores".  (2/17/2015)
"Oh Look At Me Now".  (2/18/2015)
"This Love of Mine".  (2/20/2015)
"There Are Such Things."  (2/24/2015)
"Night and Day".  (2/26/2015)
"The Night We Called It a Day".  (2/27/2015)
Paramount Theater, December 30, 1942.  (3/2/2015)
Reveille with Beverly.  (3/4/2015)
"You'll Never Know".  (3/7/2015)
Higher and Higher.  (3/8/2015)
"People Will Say We're in Love".  (3/10/2015)
The Shining Future.  (3/17/2015)
"I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night".  (3/19/2015)
Step Lively.  (3/20/2015) .
"Saturday Night (is the Loneliest Night of the Week)".  (3/21/2015)
"You'll Never Walk Alone".  (3/23/2015)
"Oh What It Seemed to Be".  (3/24/2015)
Anchors Aweigh.  (3/26/2015)
"Day by Day".  3/27/2015)
Till the Clouds Roll By.  (3/29/2015)
"Always".  (3/30/2015)
It Happened in Brooklyn.  (3/31/2015)
"I've Got a Crush on You".  (4/3/2015)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".  (4/5/2015)
"It Only Happens When I Dance With You".  (4/7/2015)
The Miracle of the Bells.  (4/9/2015)
The birth of Tina.  (4/11/2015)
The Kissing Bandit.  (4/16/2015)
"Some Enchanted Evening."  (4/19/2015)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game.  (4/22/2015)
"The Huckle Buck."  (4/24/2015)
On the Town.  (4/28/2015)
A blowup in Houston.  (4/30/2015)
1st television appearance.  (5/3/2015)
"The Frank Sinatra Show".  (5/5/2015)
"I'm a Fool to Want You".  (5/7/2015)
"Mama Will Bark".  (5/10/2015)
Double Dynamite.  (5/13/2015)
Frank and Ava get married.  (5/15/2015)
Meet Danny Wilson.  (5/19/2015)
"I Could Write a Book".  (5/24/2015)
His Final Recording for Columbia Records, "Why Try to Change Me Now?"  (5/28/2015)
A new musical era with Capital Records.  (6/2/2015)
Filming begins on From Here to Eternity.   (6/15/2015)
"I've Got the World on a String".  (6/20/2015)
"Young at Heart".  (6/21/2015)
Songs for Young Lovers.  (6/22/2015)
Best supporting actor Oscar.  (6/28/2015)
Swing Easy.  (7/4/2015)
Suddenly.  (7/10/2015)
"Three Coins in the Fountain".  (7/16/2015)
Young at Heart (the movie).  (7/26/2015)
"Learnin' the Blues".  (8/5/2015)
Songs for Swingin' Lovers.  (8/12/2015)
Not as a Stranger.  (8/17/2015)
"Same Old Saturday Night".  (8/24/2015)
"Love and Marriage".  (8/28/2015)
Guys and Dolls.  (9/2/2015)
The Tender Trap.  (9/9/2015)
The Man with the Golden Arm.  (9/16/2015)
"(Love is) the Tender Trap.  (9/22/2015)

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Scott Walker wants to party like it's 1904


And get down and dirty in the process.


Scott Walker backs GOP plan to overhaul civil service system.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/24/2015)
In 1905 — a time when the country was still moving away from blatant political patronage jobs — Wisconsin's civil service law passed under then Gov. Robert M. La Follette with the original slogan of "the best shall serve the state."

And here's why Scott Walker is comfortable with this change.

Related post:
Scott Walker in back in Wisconsin ..........with a VENGEANCE!  (9/24/2015)

Scott Walker is back in Wisconsin ..........with a VENGEANCE!


And to think we could have Penny Bernard Schaber in the State Senate instead of this mannequin.  (I'd go with the 1st synonym under #1.)

Photo credit:  State of Wisconsin

As quoted in Scott Walker backs GOP plan to overhaul civil service system.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/24/2015)

The ultimate red herring
Just three days after ending his presidential run, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sought to reassert his conservative credentials Thursday by backing a proposed overhaul of the state's civil service system for 30,000 employees, saying its safeguards against political patronage in hiring and firing state workers need to keep up with the times and the crush of retiring baby boomers.

My guess is that after this summer's humiliation, as shown in the line graph below, Scott Walker is in the mood for some indiscriminate crushing.


"Ask yo' mama!"


Yes, Andy, we had every right to be alarmed.

A long list of people with more time on their hands now that Scott Walker has suspended his presidential campaign




Scott Walker's presidential campaign staff:  paid and volunteer.  (Not necessarily a complete list.)

At the head of the table
  • Michael Grebe, Campaign Chariman
  • Rick Wiley, Campaign Manager
  • Ed Goeas, Senior Advisor
Political
  • Matt Mason, Political Director
  • Danny O'Driscoll, Deputy Political Director
  • Wells Griffith, Deputy Political Director
  • Gregg Keller, Senior Advisor on National Conservative Outreach
  • Gary Marx, Senior Advisor on National Conservative Outreach
  • Diana Banister, Senior Advisor on National Conservative Outreach
Communications
  • Kirsten Kukowski, Communications Director
  • AshLee Strong, National Press Secretary
  • Matt Connelly, Traveling Press Secretary
  • Stacy Day, Regional Press Secretary
  • Lauren Fine, Press Assistant
  • Josh Falzone, Rapid Response
  • Andrew Snow, Photographer
Research
  • Heather Smith, Walker Research Director
  • Amy Leedecke, Research Director
Policy
  • Andrew Bremberg, Policy Director
  • Kristin Jackson, Domestic Policy Advisor
  • Mike Gallagher, Foreign Policy Advisor
  • Robert C. O'Brien, Foreign Policy Advisor
  • Jim Talent, Senior Advisor on Foreign Policy and Defense
Digital/Data/Tech
  • Mark Stephenson, Chief Data Officer
  • Mike Ozckowski, Chief Digital Officer
  • Darren Bolding, Chief Technology Officer
  • Justin LoFranco, Content Director
Finance
  • Colleen Coyle, Finance Director
  • Jenny Drucker, National Finance Consultant
  • Alex Lawhon, National Finance Consultant
  • Susan Lilly, Fundraising (question mark next to name)
  • Todd Ricketts, National Finance Co-chair
  • Jon Hammea, National Finance Co-chair
Other national staff
  • Joe Fadness (running ballot access program)
  • Tom Evenson, Personal Aide
  • Aly Higgins, Personal Aide to Tonette Walker
  • Ben Ginsberg, Senior Advisor and Outside Counsel

Iowa staff
  • David Polyansky, Senior Iowa Advisor
  • Josie Peterson, State Director
  • Eric Woolson, Strategic Advisor/Iowa Communications Director
  • Carlos Cruz, Eastern Iowa Regional Victory Director
  • 99-county Iowa Leadership Team (volunteers, I assume)

New Hampshire staff
  • Andy Leach, Senior New Hampshire Advisor
  • Liz Christofferson, Senior New Hampshire Advisor
  • Michael Bir, New Hampshire Day-to-Day
  • Kayla Berube (unspecified)
  • Co-chairs (volunteers?)
    • Cliff Hurst
    • Phyllis Wolfe
    • Chris Woods

South Carolina staff


As quoted in Scott Walker's campaign manager defends spending.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/23/2015)

And it's true!  The campaign had no problem spending -- [blowingthrough cash with a staff of about 90 people and payroll in the hundreds of thousands of dollars a month.

Related post:
Scott Walker's poll numbers wreak havoc on campaign manager Rick Wiley.  (9/18/2015)

The uncompassionate Rick Santorum



As quoted in Santorum backs deportations to fix immigration crisis.  (Des Moines Register, 9/23/2015)

And Rick considers himself a Christian.

Related posts:
Dear Bobby Jindal and Rick Santorum. To stay strong, you first have to be strong.  (9/23/2015)
Rick Santorum's quixotic quest for an Iowa caucus victory.  (9/2/2015)
Rick Santorum: You ain't goin' nowhere in this presidential race.  (5/28/2015)
Walt Rogers hitches his star to a political flameout.  (5/17/2015)

The new Calgary Public Library




Video text:

What do you think of when you see word library?

Stacks of books?

Isolated study corners?

The librarian's shhhhhhh...

But the new library is the centre of our community.  It is place for learning, discussion, invention, and action.

It's a place where anyone and every Calgarian can be a part of something.

BIGGER

The NEW Calgary Public Library stands for UNLIMITED possibilities.

It's about the way ideas IGNITE in our minds and how those ideas GROW and EVOLVE when they are SHARED with others.

It's about seeking ANSWERS to the questions we ask and WONDERING more.

Let's DISCOVER together and make the BEST library in the world.

Related link:
Calgary Public Library:  New Central Library
New Central Library groundbreaking expected in September.  (CHQR, 7/26/2015)

Know the law: Breastfeeding in public




Wisconsin state law on breastfeeding summarized



Perhaps the variants spellings indicate that we still have a way to go in dealing with this issue:
  • NCSL - breastfeeding
  • Wisconsin State Statutes - breast-feeding
  • WCBS - breast feeding

UPDATE: Eric Anton on Scott Walker's Presidential campaign: Crisis? What crisis?!


More pearls of wisdom from Eric Anton.


As quoted in Scott Walker says he will serve out his term as governor, has no interest in Cabinet job. (Madison.com, 9/24/2015)
Anton said Walker also told donors he’s considering whether to seek a third term as governor but hasn’t decided if he’ll do so.



Original 9/18/2015 post starts here.

Photo credit:  Real Estate Weekly

As quoted in The heat is on Scott Walker's presidential campaign after second debate.  (Madison.com, 9/17/2015)

Well, Eric, let me help you out here.

Iowa:  From 22% in February to 5% in September.

New Hampshire:  From 23% in April to 2% in September.



South Carolina:  From 18% in February to 3% in September.



Florida:  From 22% in February to 2% in September.

And nationally:  From an average rating of 19.5% on May 1 to 4.0% on September 14.

ALEC waterboy Chris Kapenga belatedly celebrates Constitution Day


September 17, 2015

You will, however, no longer find this statement on Kapenga's Twitter feed.

September 23, 2015

Chris Kapenga sides with Ben Caron on Muslim comments.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/23/2015)

And Kapenga refused all interview requests to explain himself.  

Which for the time being leaves him in the 'drop dead' crowd.



Related posts:
ALEC Waterboy Chris Kapenga wins state senate special election.  (6/25/2015)
Chris Kapenga, ALEC waterboy, keeps himself busy.  (5/1/2015)
Chris Kapenga, ALEC waterboy, is at it again.  (12/11/2014) 
Of course Rep. Kapenga hasn't drafted a bill; it's already been done for him.  (12/4/2014)
Speaking of plagiarism: The Kapenga chronicles.  (9/22/2014)
Meet Chris Kapenga, ALEC's waterboy.  (2/18/2014)

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Then and Now: Pinckney Street on the Capitol Square


Then.  Based on the cars in the photo, I'd say mid-1950s.

From Retiring Guy's postcard collection

Now.  No more angle parking.  But room for outdoor seating.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Then.  From the 1955 Madison City Directory.




Other Madison Then and Now posts:
Park Hotel/Inn on the Park, Madison Wisconsin.  (9/8/2015)
U.S Post Office and Courthouse/Madison (WI) Municipal Building.  (9/2/2015)
City-County Building.  (9/1/2015)
Veterans Administration Hospital. (8/27/2015)
The Red Gym:  When will the unobstructed view return?  (7/22/2015)
UW-Madison College of Agriculture.  (7/22/2015)
Wisconsin State Historical Society.  (7/21/2015)
UW-Madison Memorial Union.  (7/21/2015)
240 West Gilman.  (9/6/2013)
North Carroll Street between West Johnson and West Gorham.  (9/5/2013)
East Mifflin & North Pinckney.  (8/30/2013)

Dear Carly Fiorina. Polls go up, polls go down, as I recently heard someone say



The behinders in the 9/20-22 FOX News poll:

  • 5% - Chris Christie
  • 4% - John Kasich
  • 3% - Mike Huckabee
  • 2% - Rand Paul
  • 1% - George Pataki
  • 0% - Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal

Related posts:
Scott Walker down to zero in latest Republican primary poll -- behind Rick Santorum, no less.  (9/20/2015)
Ben Carson closes the gap with Donald Trump in latest Republican primary poll.  (9/15/2015)
Scott Walker joins the bottom feeders in latest national Republican primary poll.  (9/14/2015)
CNN/ORC poll gives Scott Walker a pity-pat, lifts him out of behinder bin.  (9/10/2015)
Scott Walker slides to 3% in latest national poll; has 8th place all to himself.  (9/3/2015)
Scott Walker is likely to BLAME CANADA for his latest poll showing.  (9/1/2015)
Donald Trump maintains his lead, Scott Walker continues to slide in national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (8/27/2015)
Donald Trump maintains a sizable lead in latest national Republican Presidential primary poll.  (8/18/2015)
Donald Trump maintains his lead in national polls; Scott Walker is yesterday's news.  (8/16/2015) 
Trump continues to ebb, Fiorina surges in latest national Republican Presidential primary poll.  (8/12/2015)
Running up to Thursday's FOX News GOP debate, Donald Trump continues to run the poll table.  (8/4/2015)
A hot bat: Donald Trump goes 10 for 11 in July.  (8/3/2015) 
Another day, another 1st place poll finish for Donald Trump (9 and counting).  (8/3/2015)
Donald Trump continues to run the poll table: 8 in a row.  (8/2/2015)
Trump wins 6th national poll in a row.  (7/30/2015)
In his last 5 'starts', Donald Trump is 5-0 in national Republican presidential polling.  (7/27/2015)
Trump wins 4th national poll in a row; Walker closes gap.  (7/23/2015) 
Trump takes his 3rd national poll in a row.  (7/20/2015)
Donald Trump takes 1st place in consecutive national polls.  (7/17/2015)
On day 2 of Scott Walker's presidential campaign, a just-released Suffolk University/USA Today poll has Donald Trump in 1st place.  (7/14/2015)
Monmouth University poll casts a pall over Scott Walker's presidential candidacy announcement.  (7/13/2015)
Scott Walker leads in Iowa Republican presidential polling, but nationally it's a different story.  (7/1/2015)
Republicans' 2016 Presidential primary preferences look like a bunch of scribbles when graphed.  (6/22/2015)
Has anyone else noticed that Scott Walker peaked 2 months ago in New Hampshire? (6/14/2015)
Same as it ever was, pretty much, in latest Fox News poll.  (6/3/2015)
The latest CNN/ORC Republican presidential primary poll likes the Florida boys.  (6/2/2015) 
5-way tie in latest Quinnipiac Republican presidential primary poll.  (5/28/2015)
Republican presidential candidates find little elbow room in latest Fox News poll.  (5/16/2015)
Latest Public Policy Polling (PPP) numbers keep Republican candidates in a jumble.  (5/14/2015)
The Florida Boys leave Scott Walker in "show" position in latest Republican presidential horse race poll.  (5/5/2015)
Tracking the national Republican presidential primary polls.  (4/3/2015)
Scott Walker tied for 2nd with 'Dunno' in latest CNN/ORC poll. (3/19/2015)
Don't know/no answer/somebody else/won't vote leads latest Quinnipiac Republican Presidential primary poll.  (3/6/2015)
Someone else/no one, Ben Carson have best 1-2 punch in Public Policy poll.  (2/24/2015)
On the merry-go-round: Mike Huckabee takes the lead in the latest Republican Presidential preference poll.  (2/18/2015)

Dear Bobby Jindal and Rick Santorum. To stay strong, you first have to be strong.


And I gotta tell ya, guys, the two of you have been consistent bottom feeders.


Jindal, Santorum: Not dropping out despite Walker's comments.  (Des Moines Register, 9/23/2015)
Following the exit of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker from the presidential race, both former Sen. Rick Santorum and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said they plan on staying strong in Iowa.

Both are doing slightly better, on average, in Iowa:
  • 3.0% - Bobby Jindal
  • 1.5% - Rick Santorum
Walker dropped out of the race when he was at a 4.5% average.

Longtime Walker adviser is the bearer of very bad tidings



As quoted in Final hours:  Scott Walker, inner circle realized money not there.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  (9/22/2015)

Fractured fairy tales
Longtime adviser John Hiller, the treasurer of Walker's gubernatorial campaign, told talk show host Charlie Sykes on WTMJ-AM (620) Tuesday that he ate dinner with Walker at the governor's mansion on Monday night after the announcement.

Related posts:
Dear Alex Costellanos. Overall, Scott Walker lived to fight another 3 days as it turns out. (9/22/2015)
The tweeting life of Liz Mair.  (9/22/2015)
Donald Trump offers Scott Walker a pity-pat.  (9/22/2015)
Tighten up your seat belts, folks; Mark Graul advocates more of the same now that Scott Walker is back in town.  (/22/2015)
Remember when Scott Walker thought Marco Rubio would be his ideal running mate?  (9/21/2015)
And the difference, for Scott Walker, was a rapidly shrinking donor base.  (9/21/2015)
Scott Walker press conference at Edgewater Hotel: Please join me, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul, John Kasich, Chris Christie, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki, and Jim Gilmore.  (9/21/2015)

Scott Walker, the Gambler



As quoted in Final hours: Scott Walker, inner circle realized money not there.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/22/2015)

Unfortunately, everyone else was playing chess in 2015.
Speaking about the benefits of that 2006 decision, the husband of Walker's Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), said Tuesday.

Donald Trump, Ben Carson take hits in latest Iowa Republican caucus poll


The remaining candidates in the race have Walker's 5% to fight over.

The top 5

The behinders in the 9/18-20 (Friday-Sunday) Public Policy Polling poll:
  • 6% - Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee
  • 5% - Scott Walker (who announced the suspension of his campaign on 9/21/2015)
  • 4% - Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal
  • 2% - John Kasich
  • 1% - Rick Santorum, Chris Christie
  • 0% - Lindsey Graham
Other stuff:
  • Walker's 55% favorable/21% unfavorable ratings gave him an early advantage in Iowa but became increasginly meaningless as his campaign faltered and stumbled during the summer and eventually collapsed on Monday.  (Yes, I'm editorializing here.)

More campaign news from Iowa: 
Scott Walker puts all of his eggs in one basket.  (9/18/2015)
Scott Walker tumbles to 10th place in latest Iowa caucus poll.  (9/11/2015)
Scott Walker reduced to fighting for Trump's and Carson's crumbs in Iowa.  (9/6/2015)
Will Walker's Presidential campaign survive until then?  (9/4/2015)
I gotta tell ya, Jamie, Rick Perry is nowhere near the battlefield.  (9/2/2015)
Rick Santorum's quixotic quest for an Iowa caucus victory.  (9/2/2015)
Dear Jeff, You might want to talk with Luther Olsen about Scott Walker.  (8/22/2015)
The Iowa bloom is definitely off the Walker rose.  (8/13/2015)
Dear Kathie Obradovich, the Rick Perry and Bobby Jindal study halls are over.  (8/11/2015)
Jeb Bush joins the "Behinders" in latest Iowa poll.  (8/11/2015)
Once again, Trump bests Walker in Iowa.  (8/10/2015)
Donald Trump leapfrogs over Scott Walker to take huge lead in Iowa
.  (8/3/2015) 
Donald Trump threatens Scott Walker's lead in Iowa.  (7/27/2015)
Scott Walker treads water in Iowa Republican presidential caucus polls.  (7/11/2015)
Donald Trump places 2nd, behind Scott Walker, in latest Iowa Republican caucus poll.  (7/1/2015)
Scott Walker maintains lead in Iowa Republican presidential caucus polling.  (6/15/2015) 
Likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers are still groovin' on Scott Walker -- but not nearly as much as they were in February.  (6/4/2015)
Scott Walker finishes 1st in latest Iowa poll, but his best numbers are more than 3 months behind him.  (5/31/2015)
Rick Santorum: You ain't goin' nowhere in this presidential race.  (5/28/2015)
Kristina, 27, like the idea of Donald Trump running for President.  (5/23/2015)
Will the results of the August 2015 Iowa straw poll embarrass Republicans again?  (5/21/2015)
The Iowa straw poll, a slow death by many small cuts.  (5/21/2015)
Dreamboat Dixie channels Heart.  (5/17/2015)
Hey, Tanya, if you like Carly Fiorina, you'll love Scott Walker.  (5/17/2015)
Walt Rogers hitches his star to a political flameout.  (5/17/2015)
This Saturday, Republican presidential "wannabes" descend on Des Moines for "the fourth major, multi-candidate cattle call of the caucus campaign".  (5/14/2015) 
Jeb hurts Iowans' feelings.  (5/13/2015)
Pandering to social conservatives, Scott Walker and his buddies continue to box themselves into a corner.  (4/26/2015)
Let the intramural sniping begin.  (4/26/2015)
Reporter shares his sharp, blunt, candid assessment.  (4/26/2015)
'Veteran Republican Strategist' sez goodbye to Scott Walker the day after 'hello'. (3/18/2015)
Clothes make the man: The Iowa Caucus edition.  (3/18/2015)
Liz Mair stars in Scott Walker's 'Les Miz'.  (3/17/2015)
Motor runnin', Scott Walker gives a shout-out to these Iowa communities.  (3/9/2015)
Scott Walker serves up a helping of red meat to audience at Iowa Agriculture Summit.  (3/8/2015)
The insignificance of the Iowa caucus.  (3/7/2015)
Scott Walker is already booked, naturally, for the last weekend in April.  (3/3/2015)
Quinnipiac poll: Scott Walker is the Tea Party favorite among likely caucus-goers in Iowa.  (2/26/2015)
Mike Huckabee retakes Iowa lead, Walker falls to 3rd in NBC News/Marist poll.  (2/17/2015)

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: Wisconsin's FY15 Annual Report on Economic Development



WEDC awards increase as job creation numbers fall.  (Madison.com, 9/23/2015)

Republican lips are sealed.
Republican lawmakers on the WEDC board did not respond to a request for comment. Sen. Rick Gudex, Fond du Lac, chairman of the Senate Economic Development and Commerce Local Government Committee, is hosting the first of a series of meetings on economic development Thursday in Oak Creek after the WEDC board meeting. The discussions are open to the public, but participation is limited to invited business and economic development leaders.  (emphasis added)

Rick Gudex press release (red arrows added)

Murder by hatchet: Lede of the day


Waukesha man charged with hatchet slaying of friend. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/22/2015)
A 57-year-old Waukesha man told police he never thought killing a man with a hatchet would be so noisy.
It gets noisy at the 3:08 mark.



Sidebar:  The double album Ummagumma by Pink Floyd debuted on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart on January 3, 1970, where it spent 27 weeks and peaked at #74.  The album was certified gold (500,000 copies sold in U.S.) in February 1974 and certified platinum (1,000,000 copies sold in U.S.) in March 1994.

The furiously vibrating spin cycle of our very own Rebecca (of Sunnybrook Farm) Kleefisch



As quoted in Kleefisch says Wisconsin benefited from Wisconsin's presidential run.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/22/2015)

Actually, Rebecca, here's what we have seen 'just below the masthead' of late.  



In general, the headline below will be the primary take-away from Walker's ill-fated presidential run, "...one of the more spectacular collapses of a campaign over a two-and-a-half-month period in polling history,”  according to Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School poll.