Wisconsin
Related: About this forumWisconsin’s governor faces a lingering campaign probe back home.
"So while Walker is not the only presidential hopeful whos been touched by an investigation back homethink New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with Bridgegate and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo with the closure of the Moreland Commissionwhat hes facing is unique. Part of it is the secrecy aspect of the John Doe law, which was intended to protect innocent citizens from the stigma of an investigation but which critics argue also leaves the process open to abuse, giving district attorneys too much latitude to conduct open-ended investigations with little oversight or protection of citizens rights to due process. A federal appeals court raised concerns last year that the law may infringe upon First Amendment rights.
Of course, those looking to take some sheen off the latest it presidential candidate should be warned theres been no smoking gun in the thousands of pages released to date. Whats more, after multiple document dumps covered by the Wisconsin media, Walkers responses to the investigations have been well-rehearsed at this point. Expect to hear the phrase partisan witch hunt when hes asked about them and for Walker to point out two judges ruled in the second probe prosecutors didnt have a case.
The caveat to that is the unknown. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in April in a case that will likely decide whether the second John Doeinto coordination between Walkers campaign and conservative groupscould go forward, and a decision is expected sometime this summer.
Rick Wiley, executive director of Walkers Our American Revival, suggested that political opponents would likely raise the issue behind the scenes in an attempt to bring it up without any fingerprints. But Wiley said the issue has been fully vetted in Wisconsin twice.
We will be judged on what he has done in Wisconsin and what he can potentially do for the nation if he chooses to run for president, Wiley said. There will be fist fights, and there will be knife fights. But at the end of the day, I dont think this will have an impact on the potential presidential primary.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/02/scott-walker-campaign-problem-115563.html#ixzz3TKOu3tSA
yourout
(7,534 posts)I have never seen such a collection of corrupt toadies on the bench(3 exceptions).
midnight
(26,624 posts)was submitted to the court. So I'm wondering how this will play out.
yourout
(7,534 posts)What conflict of interest. I see no conflict of interest.
AllyCat
(16,236 posts)Absolutely corrupt body.
midnight
(26,624 posts)American Crossroads linked to Karl Rove and one of the main Recall funders for Walker are Texas homebuilder Bob Perry, a conservative activist and major funder of 527s like American Crossroads and Club For Growth who also bankrolled the nefarious Swift Boat Veterans for Truth against John Kerry in 2004
Americans for ProsperityWisconsin Charles and David Koch funded 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization thats social welfare mission protects its tax-exempt status, which it blatently violated with bus tours and other astroturf activities during Recall season
Friends of Scott Walker funded mainly from large contributions from billionaires Richard DeVos, Diane Hendricks, Bob Perry, Jere Fabick, David Humphreys and others
League of American Voters a Washington DC-based group funded by the Charles R. Lambe Foundation with original funding from Charles and David Koch with leadership tied to Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council
Republican Governors Association linked to and largely funded by David Koch, formed a political action committee Right Direction Wisconsin
Republican Party of Wisconsin with offices shared by Koch-funded John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, links are also tied to Americans for Prosperity
Wisconsin Family Action Citizens for a Strong America gave almost a million dollars to this pro-life organization which may be involved in Americans for Prosperity (AFP)s absentee mailing scheme since its address was the same as the one used by AFPs Absentee Ballot Application Processing Center
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce it manages a 501(c)4 political action committee WMC Issues Council spending over $2 million during Walkers recall including producing political ads full of misinformation