Todd Kolosso is running against Jim Sensenbrenner

Yeah, it took me awhile to quit giggling also. Democrats have been throwing themselves on their swords ever since I moved here (and probably before that) trying to unseat the long serving Republican congressman. You’d think they’d learn.

Mr. Kolosso put out a press release recently (h/t WisPolitics.com) which declared,

“When the people of the 5th Congressional District vote for me in November,” said Kolosso, “they can be confident that I will honor my pledge to conduct myself according to the highest ethical standards and that I will not put personal profits over the interests of my constituents or my fellow citizens.”

I don’t want to tell Democrats how to campaign, but the last few challengers have tried to nail Sensenbrenner because of his stock holdings and it hasn’t taken.

Come to think of it, pretty much any thing any challenger has thrown at him has managed to unseat him.

Oh, well.

Now Nick Schweitzer says he would vote for Kolosso over Sensenbrenner, and Nick’s a very smart guy, but I don’t see the majority in the 5th CD doing it.

Kolosso for Congress site.

Sensenbrenner for Congress site.

Waukesha Carnival 02/08/2009

Welcome to this week’s edition. It’s gettin’ late and I have to work tomorrow, so let’s get to it.

First sad news, Darryl Enriquez at Waukesha FYI tells us about the Waukesha Freeman layoffs. One of those laid off was photographer and Waukesha blogger Byron Houlgrave, who shared the last picture he clicked for the Freeman.

Continuing in Waukesha city, Jeff reviews the fish fry at Michael’s Italian America Restaurant at Five Points Blog.

James Wigderson went to the Waukesha Common Council meeting and shares his thoughts with us at Wigderson Library & Pub.

Spiralling out a little, Linda Richter at Inside New Berlin finds the security cameras in schools unsettling and it’s not just the price tag.

At peterepublic, Pete Fanning drops by to remind us he’s still alive, just very, very very busy.

Kyle Prast at Practically Speaking reminds us that US Rep. Sensenbrenner and state Rep. Leah Vukmir will have several town halls. One is past, two are upcoming.

In posts about state news, Wisconsin Sen. Mary Lazich (chief aide Kevin Fischer?) points out at Conservatively Speaking that the Wisconsin Covenant program could be costly.

In a couple of miscellaneous posts, Curt Otto gives us the question to last week’s answer, or something like that. Any way it’s all over at Maple & Main.

Meanwhile, over at the Spring City Chronicle, Michael Phelps gets the Bonehead of the Week award. Pretty much a unanimous vote, I would say.

Then in posts on national issues, MommaBlogger takes time out to rant over that Florida case of the botched abortion at Homemakers Guide to the Galaxy.

Dan Deibert shows us how fast government can move when they want to, with pictures at The D Spot.

Alex has some thoughts about Republican votes and raises at A Little off Main.

At The Other Side of  My Mouth, Tim Rock has some thoughts on the Republican vote on the stimulus package.

Silent e tells us why Democrats are unpatriotic at silent e speaks.

Cindy Kilkenny has a two-parter over at Fairly Conservative on building our own stimulus package.

Dad29 points out that the American people seem to be understanding the ramifications of the stimulus package.

Whew, that’s it for another long one. As usual, if you have one you liked add the link in the comments below or e-mail me at thoughtfulconservative [at] yahoo [dot] com. Same for posts you’d like to nominate for next week’s carnival. It doesn’t have to be one of your own. Links to our archives and future editions can be found here.

Rep. Sensenbrenner

Renee Crawford ran into him at a function while in Washington and had this to say,

As we walking into the party, the first person I in the packed room was none other than F. Jim Sensenbrenner! What a surprise that was! You have to give him credit. Dude represents everyone in his district and whether or not he agrees with the democrats he represents, it was really a classy move for him to be there! On top of that, he was really friendly and in a great mood and we had a genuine discussion about voting rights that was interesting and important and I appreciated him taking a moment to spend with me letting me know his thoughts. More on that in another post on another day. Thank Sensy for your graciousness today of all days. It was noticed.

This seems to be the antithesis of what’s usually reported about Sensenbrenner and I thank Renee for graciously reporting this.

Fifth Congressional district forum notes

(Updated post to link to bloggers’ posts)

I attended the Fifth congressional district Republican forum featuring Rep. James Sensenbrenner and challenger Jim Burkee. Question: Why is it that I have only one chance to hear these two “debate” and why did I have to drive over a half hour to do so?

I saw steveegg (who also has audio) as I walked into the hall and Nick afterwards (a nice summary with some visual clues I couldn’t see from my obstructed position). I’ll update when they post. Jack Lohman was also there as shown by his comments here and I assume the West Bend Citizen Advocate was, too (yes, he has a couple of posts with pics). 8-29, 13:35 – Owen has audio and video posted also. Patrick McIlheran links and has some thoughts also. Thanks to all those who linked.

It was an overflow crowd I saw as I stepped into the room where the forum was held. Owen Robinson, the moderator and blogger at Boots and Sabers sat between Burkee and Sensenbrenner. Wisconsin Eye videoed the event (it’s posted) as did someone who appeared to be a supporter of Mr. Burkee. I didn’t see others though there might have been–my vantage point wasn’t ideal.

Each man was allowed an opening statement then Owen asked questions and allowed both men to answer alternately. He questioned them on an array of subjects and then asked questions submitted by the audience. He was only able to get through a few of the many questions submitted but the ones I heard were excellent.

Topics included controlling energy costs, illegal immigration, extending the Bush tax cuts, our heavy tax burden, the size of our Armed Forces, Russia-Georgia situation, and Iran. Audience questions delved into their core values, what they would target in budget cuts, eliminating the IRS, the Kyoto treaty, what they would do about trade and federal deficits, change in Pakistani leadership, and some I missed because I needed to field a phone call (it was on vibrate so it wasn’t THAT one). Then the men made their closing statements.

That’s it. No fisticuffs, no yelling and talking over (that I heard anyway)–just what a debate/forum is supposed to be.

It was only marred at the end when Mr. Burkee challenge Mr. Sensenbrenner to continue the forum. I felt that this was a cheap trick designed to only embarrass his opponent. I share his frustration somewhat, but that was the wrong place to broach the subject.

I came away agreeing with both men on some subjects and disagreeing with them on some. That’s normal. I just have to decide which is more important and vote that way.

Burkee says deck is stacked to protect incumbents

On the eve of the only forum taking place in Wisconsin’s Fifth Congressional District, Steve Jagler writing in  Milwaukee’s Small Business Times’ Biz Blog, gives time to challenger Jim Burkee who complains about incumbent advantages. To wit,

1. Burkee was not allowed to walk in many Independence Day parades. As an office holder, Sensenbrenner was.
2. Sensenbrenner has agreed to only one forum–tonight’s forum in Germantown. At least three others were turned down by Sensenbrenner and since he didn’t show, the forums’ sponsors dropped them.
3. “Individual supporters of a challenger’s campaign cannot compete with the war chest of thousands of dollars that the Sensenbrenner campaign has collected over the years from political action committees (PACs), many of whom represent out-of-state interests.”
4. Sensenbrenner’s district was gerrymandered to virtually ensure his perpetual re-election.
5. Burkee said he’s having trouble getting any acknowledgement whatsoever from the conservative talk show hosts in town.

Sensenbrenner’s campaign manager predictably dismissed these complaints as “whining.”

Well, maybe. There’s no doubt incumbents have advantages. And we could argue all day about whether the founding fathers intended lifetime legislators.

No Democrats are running. Robert R. Raymond of Shorewood is running as an independent. Haven’t heard much from him or about him, so the winner of the Republican primary will most likely be elected in November.

After being largely in the Sensenbrenner camp, I’m pretty much undecided right now. I don’t agree with either man fully (Do I ever?).

Maybe tonight’s forum will get me off the fence.

WI-5 congressional district Republican forum

Owen of Boots & Sabers fame will be moderating.

I’m going to make the trip to Germantown, I think, just in case there are fireworks. Jim Burkee is challenging James Sensenbrenner.