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March 31, 2005

Journal attack piece plays loose with facts (again)

James Hopson, publisher of the Wisconsin State Journal, recently wrote an editorial titled "Don't Let Progressive Dane Dominate City". The editorial, which did commend PD's organization and volunteer structure, seemed to suggest
that certain PD officials were not legitimately elected because of low voter turnout in local elections. Vicky Selkowe who is a PD steering committee member, responds to Hopson's off base charges in this editorial.

John Nichols of the Capital Times also wrote an excellent point by point analysis of Hopson's editorial and we suggest you read the entire editorial by clicking here. Nichols drives home his point with the following snip:


If voters think that George Bush is a great president and that Tammy Baldwin is a rotten member of Congress, they will definitely want to back the State Journal's slate of candidates.

On the other hand, voters who are not fans of Bush and who think that Baldwin better represents their values might want to consider the PD-endorsed candidates that the State Journal is actively opposing. They are: District 1: Lisa Subeck; District 5: Robbie Webber; District 10: Chris Kratochwill; District 12: Brian Benford; District 13: Sarah King; and District 15: Lori Nitzel.

Progressive Dane must also set the record straight in response to the allegation that certain city council officials aren't legitmately elected. Click the link below to read an in-depth analysis.

Hopson writes:
In elections in which few registered voters go to the polls, PD can win by cornering a surprisingly small percentage of the universe of registered voters. Let's look at some results of the 2003 Madison City Council elections:

-Council President and PD stalwart Brenda Konkel's winning vote total represented about 20 percent of the registered voters in District 2.

The Facts:
Konkel has the highest number of votes of anyone currently on the council. She received 2004 votes in 2003. She also had the highest number of votes of any elected city council official for the years 1999, 2001 and 2003. It should also be noted that the district overwhelmingly rejected the ugly campaign tactics of candidate Erik Minton, who was endorsed by the State Journal.

Hopson writes:
-PD alder Robbie Webber got 13 percent in District 5.

The Facts:
Webber got 60.37% of the vote in her district- far greater than most members of the council.

Hopson writes:
And landslide Austin King rolled into office by winning the support of 6.5 percent of the voters registered in District 8.

The Facts:
King got 65.38% of the vote in his district and he is currently endorsed by the State Journal!

Come out and vote on Tuesday April 5th and support candidates who support your values.

Posted by prodane at March 31, 2005 09:09 PM