Wisconsin Gov. Walker reveals violence, death threats in upcoming autobiography

Protesters angry with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's effort to break Big Labor’s financial hold on the state in 2011 at one point blocked his exit from a manufacturing plant, then surrounded his police cruiser while “beating on the windows and rocking the vehicle.”

The episode is one of several violent threats that the Republican governor and his family have faced, and which are detailed in his upcoming book “Unintimidated: A Governor’s Story and a Nation’s Challenge." The book, excerpts of which were obtained Tuesday by FoxNews.com, describes what was going on behind the scenes during his campaign to end costly collective bargaining agreements for most of Wisconsin’s unionized public employees.

The 2011 episode at the manufacturing plant happened about one month into his first term, after his government required unionized workers to contribute more toward their health-care and retirement benefits.

The bold mandate was part of his larger Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill that passed later that year to help reduce a projected $3.6 billion budget deficit.

Via: Fox News

Continue Reading....

CA: Tim Donnelly Proves There Is a God

Yes, ladies and gentlemen and especially fellow members of the media, Tim Donnelly is running for governor.

He may be a polarizing figure, but I believe he has already achieved a bipartisan consensus, at least among California’s Fourth Estate. And that consensus is: there is a God, and he loves us.

Before Donnelly’s official entry in the race, we were facing a snoozer of a gubernatorial election, with Jerry Brown certain to win re-election while facing maybe a nominal challenge from Abel Maldonado. We might have had to pay professional attention to such an election (I can’t call it a “race” or a “contest” and be accurate), but no one else would.

But now Donnelly is in, and, while we’re still facing a certain Jerry Brown win with no horse race drama, it won’t be quite so snoozy, since we’ll at least have one character in the race. And given the character of this character, we’ll be able to provide the public service of showing the total gap between his incendiary, attention-seeking comments and California’s 21st century reality.

He’ll rail against immigrant hordes, and we’ll be able to point out that net immigration to California has been zero for years and that immigrants are pillars of the community. (In many parts of Southern California, they’ve been here long than the native U.S. citizens). He’ll talk about a supposed lack of guns in the state, and we’ll point out the millions that are in hands of people who have demonstrated they shouldn’t own guns, Tim Donnelly among them. He’ll attack supposedly out-of-control spending, perhaps in press conferences held in a Sacramento decimated by years of government cuts and layoffs. He’ll rail against the oppressive dictatorship of the state and we’ll keep on writing stories about same-sex marriages and marijuana farms.

All the corrections would be helpful to the body politic. And Donnelly will keep offering opportunities in an interesting way that makes news. Heck, in announcing his candidacy, he promised to bring freedom back to California, which was surprising news since I hadn’t noticed its departure.

Via: California Political Review

Continue Reading.....

WHY CHRISTIE’S PERSONA WILL PLAY WELL IN THE REST OF AMERICA

Forget the acceptance speech. If you want an example of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s imposing political IQ, watch the nine-minute impromptu speech he delivered in Sea Bright a few days before the election. The impeccable populist instincts that make Christie such a formidable politician were all in play — authenticity, empathy, combativeness.

It’s the latter that is the most widely discussed aspect of Christie’s political persona. It involves the gruff New York-area politico with the disposition of a Teamster. This is a guy who will look you in the eyes when he calls you on your BS. It’s the guy who reacts to Warren Buffett’s pleas for higher tax rates by saying, “Yeah, well, he should just write a check and shut up.” It’s the guy who tells a pestering liberal law student that he’s an “idiot.” (“I mean, damn, man, I’m governor. Could you shut up for a minute?”) The guy who calls a former White House doctor, the one who suggested that he lose weight, a “hack” and, yes, tells her to just “shut up.”

Christie wants a lot of people to shut up. The right people, usually.

Will the bluntness work on the national stage? That’s the question a lot of people are asking. When he runs for president, will the average Minnesotan or Coloradan find this character refreshing? Boorish? Exotic?

Growing up in the NYC area, I am certainly familiar with the Christie type. And those with a similar upbringing will also recognize the cadence, the mannerisms and demeanor. Christie is the counter guy at the local deli who acts as if he’s doing you a favor — “Hey, guy, what do you need?” He’s busy. He’s got important things to do — or at least a lot more important than whatever you’re whining about. Attack is his default position when challenged.

Via: Human Events

Continue Reading.....

CHRISTIE: BIG WIN, BIG PLANS?

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie won reelection handily on Tuesday, defeating the largely token opposition of Democratic state Senator Barbara Buono.  With nearly all the votes counted, Christie had taken 60% to Buono’s 38%.  The results were in line with polls throughout the campaign showing Christie besting his rival by as much as 28 points, marking the first time since 1988 that a Republican had taken more than 50% of the vote in a statewide election in New Jersey.

Christie’s victory was total. CNN’s exit poll showed him winning a large majority of men (63%) and beating his female challenger among women voters by 15 points (57-42).  Christie took at least 54% of the vote in every age category and at least 55% in every income category except those making under $30K per year, in which Buono beat him by 2 points (49-47).  He won two-thirds of independents, an outright majority of Latinos (51%), took 21% of the African-American vote, and even commanded 30% of registered Democrats.

In his victory speech – given from a podium set in the middle of the audience and often times spoken directly into the camera – Christie staked his victory on competence.  He said people are tired of the bickering and fighting between the parties, and are looking for a leader who can bring the parties together to get things done.

Via: Human Events

Continue Reading....

Cuccinelli Beat McAuliffe 51% to 42% Among Women—Who Are Married

(CNSNews.com) - Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe defeated Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia’s gubernatorial election on Tuesday 47.9 percent to 45.5 percent (with 6.6 percent going to Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis), even though McAuliffe lost among women—who are married.

According to the exit poll published by CNN, Cuccinelli defeated McAuliffe among married women 51 percent to 42 percent, with Sarvis taking 7 percent.

Cuccinelli also defeated McAuliffe among married men, 50 percent to 44 percent, with Sarvis taking 6 percent.

Thus, according to the exit poll, Cuccinelli was the clear victor among married people (defeating McAuliffe 50 percent to 43 percent among this demographic), and was slightly more popular among married women than among married men.

However, McAuliffe won a 62 percent to 29 percent landslide among unmarried Virginians.

The Democrat was especially popular with unmarried women, defeating Cuccinelli among that group 67 percent to 25 percent, with Sarvis taking 9 percent. Among unmarried men, McAuliffe bested Cuccinelli 58 percent to 33 percent, with Sarvis taking 9 percent.

Via: CNS News

Continue Reading.....

**VA LIVE UPDATES** TEA PARTY: GOING TO BE 'VERY CLOSE'

Early reports from voters at two polling places in Virginia's gubernatorial election, one in Richmond and one in Lynchburg, indicate that as of 9:30 am eastern standard time, turnout has been just "a trickle."

A third report, from Rustburg in rural Campbell County, a conservative stronghold, indicates turnout is good there. At that location, Cuccinelli signs are highly visible and McAuliffe signs are not present.

Via: Breitbart

Continue Reading.....

Crist Files as Democrat to Run for Florida Governor

Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned Democrat, filed paperwork on Friday to run next year for his old job, according to the state's Division of Elections website.

Crist, who served as Florida's governor from 2007 to 2011, could not be immediately reached for comment. He has scheduled an event on Monday to announce his plans.

Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott will seek reelection in 2014 in what is expected to be one of the most expensive governor's races in the country.

With Republicans controlling every state house across the South, a Democratic gubernatorial win in Florida - the first in two decades - could significantly alter the political landscape in the run-up to the 2016 presidential race.

Crist, who abandoned the Republican Party after losing a U.S. Senate primary to Marco Rubio in 2010, has repeatedly criticized Scott, who opinion polls show ranks among the nation's most unpopular governors.

A Quinnipiac poll in June measuring a potential Scott-Crist match-up gave the newly minted Democrat a commanding lead over Scott, a wealthy former healthcare executive.

In recent weeks, Florida Republicans have kept up a daily drumbeat of Internet and media attacks on Crist, calling him untrustworthy and citing his change from a conservative Republican to a moderate Democrat.

On Friday, Florida Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry criticized Crist, who after his first time as governor decided to make his Senate bid.

"Charlie Crist has now officially filed to run for the position he once abandoned," Curry said in a statement. "When Florida needed Charlie Crist the most during difficult economic times, he ran away. If he really wants to be governor now, why did he quit the first time?"

Via: Newsmax

Continue Reading.....

CUCCINELLI CAMPAIGNS WITH SCOTT WALKER, RON PAUL

In the final weekend of the campaign for Virginia Governor, Republican Ken Cuccinelli has announced rallies with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former Congressman Ron Paul, among other Republicans. The Cuccinelli campaign has put its hopes for a come-from-behind victory in energizing base Republican and conservative voters. Walker and Paul both have unique appeal with voters Cuccinelli needs on Tuesday. 

Walker will attend two rallies for Cuccinelli on Saturday, appearing in Spotslyvania and Woodbridge, two Northern Virginia suburbs were the Republican needs a strong vote. Ron Paul will attend an evening rally on Monday, the eve of the election in Richmond. 

Libertarian candidate Richard Sarvis has unexpectedly polled strongly in the race, attracting around 10% of voters. According to polls, Sarvis is drawing more support away from Cuccinelli than Democrat McAuliffe. Ron Paul has a very strong following among Sarvis supporters and his appearance with Cuccinelli is meant to stem the tide of defections from the Republican. 

For most of the campaign, Cuccinelli ran a very conventional race. He downplayed his conservative positions and focused on more narrow Virginia-specific issues. After an exceptionally negative campaign, both he and McAuliffe have high negative ratings with voters. With turnout expected to be low, Cuccinelli is returning to conservative themes to energize grass roots turnout. 

On a conference call with reporters on Friday, Cuccinelli, at least twice, mentioned he was the "pro-liberty" candidate. He reiterated his early opposition to ObamaCare. He stressed that Obama's campaigning this weekend for McAuliffe made the election a "referendum" on ObamaCare. Cuccinelli is, at last, trying to nationalize the election. 

Via: Breitbart

Continue Reading.....

READ THE CHILLING NOTE SENT TO GOV. SCOTT WALKER’S WIFE

It’s no secret that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is intensely disliked by organized labor and Democrats.

Image source: Amazon

Indeed, the Republican governor’s opponents have made their feelings toward him very clear since he was first elected — especially during the state capital protests in 2011 and the defeated effort to have him recalled.

But if you thought the rhetoric aimed at Walker during the 2011 protests was bad, just wait until you hear his version of events included in his upcoming book, “Unintimidated: A Governor’s Story and a Nation’s Challenge” — particularly the chilling note that was sent to his wife.

State Patrol Capt. Dave Erwin, a former United States Marine, brought the governor a particularly eerie piece of hate mail during the protests that contained very specific information about his wife and children.

“[A]s I prepared to go out to the conference room for my daily press briefing, Dave came into my office and shut the door,” Walker recalls, according to a book excerpt published online.

“Sir, I don’t show you most of these, but I thought you ought to see this one,” the officer said.

The letter was addressed to Walker’s wife, Tonette. It read:

Has Wisconsin ever had a governor assassinated? Scotts heading that way. Or maybe one of your sons getting killed would hurt him more. I want him to feel the pain. I already follow them when they went to school in Wauwatosa, so it won’t be too hard to find them in Mad. Town. Big change from that house by [BLANK] Ave. to what you got now. Just let him know that it’s not right to [EXPLETIVE] over all those people. Or maybe I could find one of the Tarantinos [Tonette’s parents] back here.

Via: The Blaze
Continue Reading..... 

Democratic governor says 'chill out' over health care rollout debacle

Kentucky's Democratic governor says Americans need to "chill out" and "take a deep breath" over the disastrous rollout of the new health care law.

Gov. Steve Beshear said fixing the health care program "is going to take some time," but he believes it will eventually work.

"These plans and Medicaid are directed toward prevention and wellness, and that is the future of health care, and I think everybody knows it," Beshear said Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press."

Beshear appeared on the show with Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich to talk about the glitches that have plagued the implementation of Obamacare insurance exchanges that opened for business on Oct. 1. Few have been able to navigate the website and sign up, and many who have done so have discovered higher premiums and deductibles and limited choices.

Unlike Beshear, Kasich called the program a "disaster."

"The problem is Obamacare, it doesn't control cost," Kasich said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Secondly, it's going to drive up the cost for the vast majority of Ohioans. It threatens the ability of small business to grow beyond 50 employees."

Kasich said the troubled health care law rollout, combined with the recent government shutdownand the news that the United States has been tapping the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other world leaders "is a creating an issue of confidence in the minds of the American people and doubt with people around the world, which is really serious."

Beshear said the health care law will eventually succeed.

A third of those who will sign up for the new health care law in Kentucky, including those enrolling in Medicaid, are under 35 years old, a key demographic needed to help the new system function, he said.

"And that's what's going to happen all over this country," Beshear added. "People are going to sign up for this. It'll take us a while to get it in process, but I guarantee you, we're going to make it work because it's good for the American people, and it's good for Kentucky."

Via: Washington Examiner

Continue Reading.....

Hillary Clinton stumps for Terry McAuliffe

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Hillary Clinton made her first campaign appearance in nearly five years on Saturday to support Terry McAuliffe, her old friend who’s running as the Democratic nominee for governor in Virginia.

But for the media and the majority of attendees packed into The State Theatre here for the event, it was all about her.

She laid out a case for him that rested strongly on women’s equality, gay marriage and rejecting the “scorched earth” politics that have defined Washington over the past several months. Though she didn’t directly call out Republicans, it was clear who she was talking about when she said some politicians have been operating in an “evidence-free zone”, “do not believe in America’s progress” and are trying to “hijack” the future.

(Also on POLITICO: McAuliffe's bid to be taken seriously)

“There are times when none of us can sit on the sidelines,” Clinton told the crowd of more than 700 people. “And right now, here in Virginia, is one of those times. … The whole country is watching this election. Watching to see whether the voters of Virginia lead the way of turning from divisive politics [and] getting back to common sense and common ground.”

Via: Politico

Continue Reading,,,,

California: Gov. Brown Rejects Union Initiative Change

Governor Jerry Brown refused to go along with a labor unions’ scheme to swing the initiative process in their favor. Brown vetoed AB 857, a bill authored by Assemblyman Paul Fong and sponsored by unions, that would have required ten percent of the signatures gathered on statewide initiative petitions to be collected by non-paid signature gatherers.  The problem is that the bill defined non-paid signature gatherers to include members of non-profit organizations. Union members would qualify as non-paid signature gatherers. At the same time, signatures collected through direct mail would not qualify.

Gov. Brown recognized the gimmick in the measure. In his veto message, Brown wrote that the bill’s requirements would not “stop abuses by narrow special interests – particularly if ‘volunteer’ is defined with the broad exemptions as in this bill.”

The governor saw that a special interest was trying to take control of the initiative process.

But there was another reason for the veto besides the pure audacity and unfairness of the bill. Allowing unions to have greater influence over initiatives could result in some uncomfortable times for this and future governors.

Unions would drive their agenda through the initiative process when they couldn’t get what they wanted from the legislature.

Look how unions and their allies in the non-profit realm were pushing a tax initiative that the governor did not agree with for the 2012 election. He ended up compromising with the proponents to develop what became Proposition 30 to avoid their approach.

If AB 857 became law it would have increased the unions leverage in the initiative world. Do you think the governor wants that?

I take issue with one comment in the veto message. The governor writes that, “monied interests have historically manipulated it (the initiative process) at will.”  Money can usually manage to put a measure on the ballot but the record is clear that money cannot buy wins. Just ask PG&E and Mercury Insurance if they can win initiatives with more money.

However, I’ll agree with the governor that it’s worth looking at fair and just reforms with the initiative process. AB 857 wasn’t it.

Via: California Political Review

Continue Reading.....