[David] Bowen has been a solid progressive legislator... We have no doubt that he’s sincere...I've known Ben Wikler since he was a kid, so I'm biased, but it seems obvious to me that if Democrats want to really fight in Wisconsin, they have a magnificent opportunity in Ben.
Yet we think [Ben] Wikler is better positioned to jump-start the party.
He comes to the competition as a nationally recognized organizer and strategist. Working with MoveOn, he earned wide acclaim for the leadership role he played in defending the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, for his savvy advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees, and for the work he put into building the base of support for Democrats running in states across the country in 2018. A veteran grassroots campaigner for Russ Feingold and Tammy Baldwin, Wikler was an early and engaged supporter of the efforts last year to elect Evers, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and other Wisconsin progressives.
Wikler’s a skilled social media communicator with 110,000 Twitter followers, a pioneering podcaster, and a tireless organizer. He’s been at the center of efforts that have beaten Trump and the Republicans in some of the toughest fights of the past few years. This year, he’s made himself a statewide presence in the chair’s race, joining a powerful ticket that includes running mates Milwaukee County Supervisor Felesia Martin, who is bidding for first vice chair of the party, and former Fox River Valley state Senate candidate Lee Snodgrass, who is running for second vice chair.
Wikler has ambitious plans to ramp up organizing immediately, to employ social media with maximum effectiveness, and to turn the volume up on progressive messaging. “I believe in the power of grassroots activists," said Wikler. "The stakes in 2020 couldn't possibly be higher. It's time to supercharge our party in every corner of the state to fight for our progressive agenda, defeat Trump, and win Democratic victories up and down the ballot."
May 29, 2019
Maybe it will all come down to the leadership of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin.
So pay attention to this big decision, about which the Capital Times has taken a position.
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we believe that a better organized, more strategic and technically savvy state party could have found the 22,749 votes that were needed to deliver Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton.
Yeah. They needed to look harder for them. Perhaps they could've been found in the trunk of someones car? Or maybe in the city morgue?
Anyone associated with the democrat party is an enemy of freedom.
Ben Wikler wants to import more illegal immigrants.
Ben Wikler wants to overturn the 1st and 2nd amendments.
Yeah nice kid.
After the latest state decided to give their presidential votes to California and New York; I heard someone interviewed say "why should an important election be left to a few battleground states?" In guess because battleground states address different from just California and New York, or rather NYC and LA with backup from Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago.
I think Wisconsin and Michigan will be key. They would do well for themselves to act as such.
I'm sure lots of people thought Eric Swalwell was a great kid too.
OK, that's bullshit. I'm pretty sure everyone who ever met him (including maybe even his mother) knew pretty quickly that he was a total douche.
The full Venezuela.
Yay Ben! And he’s not shy about saying (in so many words) Trump is unsuited to be President in so many ways.
“Anyone associated with the democrat party is an enemy of freedom.”
Consorting with the enemy...
Ehh, Wisconsin is so important...Montana not so much. I'm envious!
But at least there's more room for us amateurs to get involved here. Low stakes and all.
... if Democrats want to really fight in Wisconsin, they have a magnificent opportunity in Ben.
I agree. With Ben, the Democrats would have a magnificent opportunity to fight against the common good.
Women always go on whether he seems to mean well. Idiocy is no barrier.
a better organized, more strategic and technically savvy state party could have found the 22,749 votes that were needed
Seriously! how fucked Up were the Wisco dems? 23,000 votes is WELL within the margin of fraud
Inga...Allie Oop said...
Yay Ben! And he’s not shy about saying (in so many words) Trump is unsuited to be President in so many ways.
Notice the constant blanket statements. The ways Trump is unsuited cannot even be expressed because Democrats cannot be honest about what they want.
Democrats want the government to spy on their political opponents.
Democrats want open borders.
Democrats want lower wages.
Democrats want higher taxes.
Democrats want free everything that other people pay for.
Democrats want to remove the first and second amendments.
Ben Wikler and Inga are terrible people.
Inga...Allie Oop said...
“Anyone associated with the democrat party is an enemy of freedom.”
Consorting with the enemy...
That is what Joe Biden did with China and Ukraine.
Consorting with the enemy... cntd...
That is what Obama did with Iran, Russia, and China.
It will be fun to watch the conspiracy between the Obama administration and numerous foreign intelligence agencies in Britain, France, Russia and others to spy on American citizens be declassified over the coming days.
Italy just fired the heads of several intelligence agencies for working with Obama to unseat Trump.
I am sure Ben Wikler will strongly condemn this foreign interference in our election and the traitors in our country that worked with them.
There is a reason China supports the efforts of Ben Wikler.
Ben Wikler wants to sell the US out to the globalists.
The It will all come down to Wisconsin theory again.
The Bill Buckner of politics.
23,000 votes is WELL within the margin of fraud
That margin already includes maximum fraud. At least by 2016 standards...
Of all the delights that came from Election night 2016, the idea that those Madison protesters from a few years ago are part of the Party that utterly failed the Left and ended Hillary's dreams of the Presidency is one of my favorites. They were crying then, and they're still crying now. Warms my cold little heart.
Above I should've said "State Party".
"...savvy advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees..."
I wonder what that actually entails. It's one of those special lines used to describe a favored politician saying nothing, but using keywords to make him sound noble and...smart!
Anyone know what his work with immigrants entails? Open borders? Sanctuary cities? Is that the savvy advocacy? Curious people from Florida want to know.
“Ben Wikler and Inga are terrible people.”
I’d much rather be considered a terrible person by an extremist loon than be considered a good person by someone so divorced from reality.
Temujin said...
Anyone know what his work with immigrants entails? Open borders? Sanctuary cities? Is that the savvy advocacy? Curious people from Florida want to know.
We all know what it means. They just can't be honest about what they want.
It is time for the charade to end.
These are terrible people who want to do us harm.
rehajm replied to my statement that...
23,000 votes is WELL within the margin of fraud
saying... That margin already includes maximum fraud. At least by 2016 standards...
Ah yes! the old fashioned 2016 standards! ha ha ! Those were the days!!!
Now; the New, Improved 2020 standards . . .
Inga...Allie Oop said...
“Ben Wikler and Inga are terrible people.”
I’d much rather be considered a terrible person by an extremist loon than be considered a good person by someone so divorced from reality.
Inga supports democrats/LLR's spying on their political opponents.
"Wikler has ambitious plans . . . to turn the volume up on progressive messaging."
Oh must we?
mifsud according to chris blackburns link, was promoting the arab spring and doing the counter terror and countering violence extremism in the 2011-2012 period, mind you both goals are at odds with each other,
Democrats now control Illinois, Governor and State house. What they have done in the past six months increased
gas taxes
water taxes
internet streaming taxes
grocery bag taxes
health care provider taxes
beer, wine and liquor taxes
car registration and licensing taxes
cab taxes for using services like Uber/Lyft
hotel taxes
cigarette taxes
sales taxes
parking tax
RTA tax
They are presently working to double the state income tax on high earners and business.
Yes, just don't call Democrats "Tax and spend liberals", it hurts their feelings. Truth does hurt, you know.
I’d much rather be considered a terrible person by an extremist loon than be considered a good person by someone so divorced from reality.
Everyone here considers you to be a terrible person. Are we ALL extremist loons? LOL
You know the saying:
"If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole." - Raylan Givens
All politics are local. No comment.
“Are we ALL extremist loons? LOL”
Well, to be perfectly honest...yes, some more than others, but mostly yes at this point.
The fact that you see everyone as 'extremist loons' shows that you are the problem, Inga. You see others as divorced from reality, because you left reality long ago. Seek help.
The snarling bitch who thinks all Republicans are guilty until proven innocent calls the rest of us extremist loons.
Light the damn fuse already.
“The fact that you see everyone as 'extremist loons' shows that you are the problem, Inga”
There are millions that are not extremist loons, but very few of those comment here.
Inga...Allie Oop said...
“The fact that you see everyone as 'extremist loons' shows that you are the problem, Inga”
There are millions that are not extremist loons, but very few of those comment here.
That is because we don't get banned here.
If I go to leftist hangouts like Mother Jones I will get banned. Because leftists cannot deal with the truth.
Leftists can only be comfortable in places where they can shut up their opponents. It is what you do. Everywhere leftists have control they silence their political opponents. Twitter. Facebook, College campuses, google, corporations etc.
You cannot be honest about what you are and what you want. You are a fascist. You are a terrible person who wants to hurt her enemies just like everyone who supports the democrat party.
“You are a terrible person who wants to hurt her enemies just like everyone who supports the democrat party.”
Repent! Says the loon. Repent Ben, repent Althouse!
Oh Lordy, it’s becoming comical.
The USA isn’t the only Country who is electing the “he’s not our sort, Dear” candidates. I wonder what it means?
If I go to leftist hangouts like Mother Jones I will get banned. Because leftists cannot deal with the truth. <
Yes and Patterico admitted that 85% of his readers left after he got severe TDS. Inga and Ritmo troll here because Ann allows other opinions, no matter how bereft of logic and history.
Nadler was on TV this morning droning on about how they are going full Inga. Good luck !
Oh Lordy, it’s becoming comical.
Inga sweetheart,
It has always been comical with you.
Some of us get a kick out of seeing how persistently dumb lefties are. I can tolerate it in small doses.
Thanks for the laughs.
Inga...Allie Oop said...
“You are a terrible person who wants to hurt her enemies just like everyone who supports the democrat party.”
Repent! Says the loon. Repent Ben, repent Althouse!
Oh Lordy, it’s becoming comical.
Why do you want to disarm us?
Why do you want open borders?
Why do you support spying on the Trump campaign?
Why do you believe people who disagree with you are guilty until proven innocent?
Why do you want political opponents silenced?
Can you post a single substantive thing? You haven't posted a single intelligent substantive thing yet. You can't post a single honest statement about what you want. You can't honestly say what democrats want.
Not one single thing.
I'm not really familiar with either person as I'm not a Cheesehead. Is Bowen more left leaning and anti-establishment than Wikler? Based on some references in the article it does make it seem like Wikler seems more establishment friendly and not as left leaning. If that is the case, then Wikler would probably do better. Traditionally the left does the best when it works for incremental gains. It is usually leftward overreach that turns people away from Democrats and towards Republicans, or at least not for Democrats.
Winkler's slate is the same as Hillary's. So Ann why do you think the Dems ( your party) will have a better chance with him when the Dems platform will be the same old same old?
Is it because he knows how to be "slicker" with the new type of mass media? Is it because he is a Harvard man ( probably got in because his father is a faculty member) or is it that your just sentimental and would like to see you son's boyhood friend get the nod.
Some how you haven't gotten it through your skull that Trump won because of his policies! Progressive liberalism is dying. The accrued failures of the progressive liberal slate over the last 60 years have shown to be abject failures, even to us stupid deplorables . In fact watch out when the blacks and hispanics come to that realization which seems to be the case according to recent polls. Then all you will have is that little group of elite professionals of your neighborhood with all your luxuries all alone. The death of Progressive liberalism is shown by Sander's and AOC's ascension.
their model is soglin, the castro lover, however he's probably too moderate, like the red guard thought mao didn't quite get it right the first time,
Inga agrees with the "dumb bitch" today. Noted.
And Ben is eating up Mueller inventing legal standards and calling Barr a liar.
https://twitter.com/benwikler
I'm sure he will bring "creativity" to the vote in WI
I find the CV utterly disqualifying, but then, I'm not a Democratic Party wacko.
It is one of the reasons why I read this blog, just to see if the left has any coherent arguments. I gave up on Washington Monthly when they banned any comments from anyone who disagrees. Ditto for "Mother Jones." Interestingly, I was NEVER allowed to post a comment there. I guess they had a list.
The left does itself a disservice when it bans disagreeing comments. I used to comment at HuffPo sometimes. Now, no comments at all. I used to have some interesting LA Times columnists when they allowed comments and emails to authors. Long gone. Maybe that is why they did not see Trump coming.
...for his savvy advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees, and for the work he put into building the base of support for Democrats running in states across the country in 2018.
In other words, he doesn't work for his constituents, i.e., voters, but prefers to waste his time and other's money on people who he hopes will become voters and constituents. I sincerely hope he fails in that regard and that the prize goes to someone who cares about his or her fellow citizens. He can't win just because you know and love him, Althouse.
Ben Wikler
Verified account @benwikler
7h7 hours ago
Profoundly vile.
Trump Administration Separates Some Migrant Mothers From Their Newborns Before Returning Them to Detention
Already, this year's arrivals are here in the parks. Difference is -- in years past: men with women, healthy worker types, friendly enough and English speaking. Now?
If they congregate in the parks, jimbino will be stoked.
@Althouse, based on his CV I peg young Mr. Wikler as an extremist. You persist in remembering him as an idealistic teenager, but that doesn't seem to be who he is today.
Profoundly vile.
Trump Administration Separates Some Migrant Mothers From Their Newborns Before Returning Them to Detention
I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. So I think this was really blown out of proportion."
Is that what Wisconsin moderates and swing voters want?
Leftist taking points about how Trump, who’s crushing it on the economy, isn’t suited for the job?
I heard they were looking for boring and truthful.
I am not a member of any party. I’m not rooting for either side to win. I just think Ben will do a fantastic job. He’s super smart, energetic, and I’d like to see what he’d do with the power. He’s paid his dues.
"I’d like to see what he’d do with the power."
Now, THAT is a scary sentiment.
"I'd like to see what Comrade Stalin would do with the power."
"I'd like to see what Col. Chavez would do with the power."
"I'd like to see what Sec. Mugabe would do with the power."
"I'd like to see what Chairman Arafat would do with the power."
"I'd like to see what Chairman Mao would do with the power."
I can tell you what Wikler would do: he'd undo all the progress that Wisconsin made under Scott Walker. He'd put the public employee unions back in the driver's seat. He'd make sure that the GOP never gets another chance to run things in Wisconsin. He'd cheer on the John Doe investigations. Everything in Wisconsin would be centralized, slowed down, litigated, and equitized (not equalized--equitized. We don't need no stinkin' equality. That's a trap.)
He'd turn Wisconsin into stagnant fen.
People like Wikler need to be kept as far away from power as possible.
The left does itself a disservice when it bans disagreeing comments
Fine by me. I prefer my enemies kept blind and ignorant.
Are we ALL extremist loons? LOL
Inga: Well, to be perfectly honest
So you weren't being honest before? But now you are?
Inga: yes, some more than others, but mostly yes at this point.
Dear, the term "extremist" is an endpoint. Like "dead". You can't be "more" dead.
Inga: but this one goes to 11!
I’d like to see what he’d do with the power.
Careful what you wish for.
He’s paid his dues.
Not hardly likely! The HVAC guy fixing furnaces on sub-freezing days or air conditioners on steamy 90 degree days like today has paid his dues. The lineman fixing a downed power line in the middle of pouring rain has paid his dues. The EMT keeping a crash victim alive until the ambulance reaches the hospital had paid his dues. A professional agitator not so much.
Trump is leadership. The rest of these fruit cakes are just pulling their panties up their ass.
The big question for a Democrat is, "Is he sane ?"
Not many positive results,.
"we believe that a better organized, more strategic and technically savvy state party could have found the 22,749 votes that were needed to deliver Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton."
Doesn't matter if Hillary won't show up and campaign.
Go Ben!
Sounds like an exciting political battle between the Left and the ......Left.
"He's paid his dues.
What does this mean exactly. That people can only hold a political position if they have been active with an organization long enough. This hasn't worked out spectacularly for the Republicans. I'm thinking of John McCain's and Bob Dole's ill fated presidential runs. And it was something that AOC spoke out against in the Democrat party, and while I don't share her politics, I think she is right on this matter. Political parties as institutions need to be more responsive to their voters and constiutents, not to their administrative employees and bureaucrats.
Now if by paid his dues, it means something more to he has worked a long time in the field, so he is familiar with the issues already, won't need much on the job training, and won't make many rash or radical changes, then that I can get behind.
"they have a magnificent opportunity in Ben"
Progs can stage a coup, devastate the culture, encourage the foreign invasion, engage in lawfare for years in WI--but not to worry, get a proggy prog in charge and they'll have a "magnificent opportunity," not least with the "biased" Althouses.
So it goes.
I just think Ben will do a fantastic job.
When you hire someone you must first be clear what the job entails.
The most fantastic fish in the world is a terrible tree-climber.
Even if it’s paid its dues.
Hillary paid her dues.
Kept Bill from being removed from office by not walking out on him.
Kept Barack from having to deal with her by flying around the world accomplishing nothing.
Kept Jim from having to indict her by claiming she didn’t know what it meant to wipe a hard drive.
Unfortunately the voters of Wisconsin didn’t want to see what she’d do with the power.
Prof. Althouse notes that Wilmer has 110,000 Twitter followers. I am not in Twitter, but doesn't that translate into about 10 real people.
"I’d like to see what he’d do with the power." Now, THAT is a scary sentiment. "I'd like to see what Comrade Stalin would do with the power.""
Not an appropriate analogy. He is not seeking govt power, which is imposed on all of this. He's seeking leadership within one party, trying to help its candidates get elected. We the people still have the power in the election and he isn't running for office. The questions of what he will do about about how to campaign, how to communicate, what to communicate, etc. I think he'll do that very well and I want all political campaigns to be done well, so we the people can exercise our power better.
Althouse--
Anyone who reads these comments knows that I am a fan of yours. As sometimes happens in the course of human events, we don't always agree. I understand that you are a longtime friend and admirer of Ben Wikler, whom you have known since he and your son were in school together. I, too, have many wonderful friends who are Democrats. But this is different. This is about someone grasping for political power.
My joke was intended to point out that sometimes people who get political power surprise in unexpected and awful ways. Stalin started out by being effective within the Bolshevik party, and we know how that turned out.
Ben Wikler may be the best our country has to offer, but since he has gone into political practice, he has palled around with some shady elements of the Democratic Party--specifically MoveOn.org. I am sure that Ben is wonderful, but MoveOn is awful. And I never much cared for Al Franken's smart alecky rhetoric and smear tactics.
So, good luck to you in Wisconsin. Don't do what we have done here in Illinois.
The questions of what he will do about about how to campaign, how to communicate, what to communicate, etc. I think he'll do that very well and I want all political campaigns to be done well, so we the people can exercise our power better.
So how will you respond if he runs a campaign that demonizes the Republican candidates as stupid evil racist fascists who want to oppress women and destroy the environment? You know, like Democrats always do.
Gahrie said...
"So how will you respond if he runs a campaign that demonizes the Republican candidates as stupid evil racist fascists who want to oppress women and destroy the environment? You know, like Democrats always do."
With approval because he will, of course, have the best of intentions.
Ann Althouse said...
"I am not a member of any party. I’m not rooting for either side to win. I just think Ben will do a fantastic job. He’s super smart, energetic, and I’d like to see what he’d do with the power. "
What a laff riot that is! The last thing WI needs is another Democrat with 'power'. Hey, why not just hire the newly retired Mr. Mueller?!
Not an appropriate analogy. He is not seeking govt power, which is imposed on all of this. He's seeking leadership within one party, trying to help its candidates get elected. We the people still have the power in the election and he isn't running for office. The questions of what he will do about about how to campaign, how to communicate, what to communicate, etc. I think he'll do that very well and I want all political campaigns to be done well, so we the people can exercise our power better.
Lololol.
Bullshit.
He’s part of the vote harvesting party for starters.
The IF ONLY party second.
His work record third.
And so on and so on.
Obama only wanted to help.
That the lawyer thought the Amendments were negative rights and didn’t allow him to “help...” so he sought to destroy under the guise if “help.”
Good intentions are the worst. Road to Hell and history and all that.
He doesn’t want the power.
No he only wants to help shape the King.
Lololol
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