Walker: Evers pathetic for using Lord’s name in vain
MADISON – Gov. Scott Walker on Monday verbally slapped one of his opponents, state Schools Superintendent Tony Evers, for saying he was “goddamn sick and tired” of Walker’s policies during a speech at the state Democratic Party’s convention.
“It’s pathetic seeing what has become of Tony Evers. He used the Lord’s name in vain this weekend — apparently to look tough at the convention,” the GOP governor posted on Twitter.
Evers’ campaign manager, Maggie Gau, shot back by saying Walker was desperate.
“Speaking of pathetic, look at how desperate @ScottWalker has become. He’s down four points to @Tony4WI and he’d rather play wordsmith than do his job as Governor,” Gau wrote in response, referring to an automated poll conducted by Evers’ campaign in May.
In his speech Friday, Evers said: “I am running for governor because I am goddamn sick and tired of Scott Walker gutting our public schools, insulting our hard-working educators and destroying higher education in Wisconsin.”
Evers is one of 10 Democrats seeking their party’s nomination in the Aug. 14 primary to take on Walker. All spoke Friday at their convention in Oshkosh to make their case that they’re best suited to take on Walker. At the conclusion of the convention,
WisPolitics.com announced former state Rep. Kelda Roys of Madison handily won its straw poll of whom convention-goers would like to see as their nominee. The straw poll is not scientifically significant, but is a good measure of the strength and organization of candidates’ campaigns.
The straw poll of 789 delegates, alternates and guests showed:
❚ Former state Rep. Kelda Roys: 184
❚ Firefighters union president Mahlon Mitchell: 93
❚ Schools Superintendent Tony Evers: 91
❚ Milwaukee businessman Andy
Gronik: 89
❚ State Rep. Dana Wachs: 89
❚ State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout: 83
❚ Campaign finance reform advocate Mike McCabe: 81
❚ Former state Democratic Party Chairman Matt Flynn: 71
❚ Kenosha attorney Josh Pade: 7
❚ Madison Mayor Paul Soglin: 1 Soglin’s performance raised eyebrows. Soglin and his campaign manager, Melissa Mulliken, did not cast ballots for him because they considered the straw poll meaningless, Mulliken said.
On Monday, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association announced it would host a July 27 debate but include just four of the 10 candidates.
It plans to include the four who do best in the next Marquette University Law School poll, provided they have each raised at least $250,000.
Scot Ross of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now said candidates should boycott the debate because all 10 should be allowed to debate.
“It’s not up to the broadcasters to decide who the viable Democratic candidates are,” he told reporters. “You can’t use one poll to determine who is viable.”