Doyle holds big financial lead over potential GOP rivals

[Freddie Stubbs]

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. - Almost two years away from a re-election bid, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle reported $2.25 million in the bank on reports due Monday, giving him a sizable advantage over his potential GOP rivals.

On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Mark Green of Green Bay converted just less than $1.3 million from his federal account to a state campaign fund last week, and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker's campaign said he had about $100,000 in his war chest.

Walker said Doyle's tally was no surprise, and he jumped into the race so early in part to begin building the campaign account he said will be necessary to take on Doyle.

"I don't think we need to be anywhere near overtaking the governor, but we've got to be closing the margin," Walker said of his fund-raising efforts for the next year.

more: http://www.gazetteextra.com/govrace020105.asp

[rodeodrive1]

1. Smart, he could be vunerable

That's why TT will run for the Senate.

[gizmo1979]

2. It won't last once repugs decide on who they

are going to run they'll catch up real fast.

[rodeodrive1]

4. True

However, unless it is TT running for Gov, the others will have a very hard time raising the cash. Word is he will go for the Senate, as Doyle will have a lot of money, and a united Democratic party behind him, so it may be a moot point. I don't think the others can raise the big bucks.

[Dying Eagle]

3. that why we must work hard for the Gov.

Donate time and money as often as possible. We need to work local to expand nation wide. The revolution starts now.

[Broca]

5. My observations

My observations: Gard has already bowed out but it looks like Mark Green will run for sure and I agree if TT runs it will be against Kohl for the US Senate. For governor Ed Thompson will run again by the sound of things and the Green Party is likely to take a bigger percentage whoever they run. I put some time and effort into the Doyle campaign, however, he has forgotten or perhaps never had any real environmental commitment and I will not do so again. A few months ago he even had his picture on the front page of some newspapers as he shoveled dirt at the ground breaking of the Weston 4 coal-fired plant near Wausau. And Doyle continues to antagonize farmers and landowners in the northern half of the state with his support for the Arrowhead-Weston transmission line. I predict it will be the third parties that inadvertently decide which of the two major parties wins the race by pulling votes from one or the other.

[rodeodrive1]

6. Excellent post, Broca

Is it true that Ed Thompson is going to get into the race again? He skewered the last one, lol. One thing for certain, if Ed runs, there would be no way TT would run against his own brother. He would have a much easier time knocking out Kohl, who is ripe for the picking. If your scenario pans out, and it might, God knows WHO would win. Probably Doyle, by default, since he would have the money, and that Green is such a lightweight, but I wouldn't be too certain. Neither Doyle or Kohl have the rock-solid group of fans that Feingold has. No one really cares.... except the hardcore, if they win or lose, and Doyle HAS pissed a lot of people off.

[Broca]

7. Re. candidates for 2006

Ed has a website up an running for the governor spot and he is going through the motions:
http://www.edthompson.com/

Marty Reynolds will not be running with him this time from what I hear.

Doyle's budget fix again takes $53 million from rate payer conservation money to balance the budget. Again, not a popular move among consumers paying this money for better conservation measures. It has become a tax paid on your utility bill to balance general budget problems.

[rodeodrive1]

8. OHMYGOD, he is!!!

You can bet dollars to donuts that Tommy will not enter the race if Ed is in it. And Ed is a SPOILER, any way you look at it, and has a following. That means Kohl is screwed, as Tommy can easily raise the money.