A Man of the People, A Private Party...

Cheryl Hentz has this story on her Eye on Oshkosh blog. She questions the legality of the 'private party' that Mayoral Candidate Paul Esslinger threw on election night. According to the discussion, the party was invitation only.

The because of the private party designation, Esslinger and the establishment allowed smoking in an area of the facility that would be non-smoking.

There is a debate on the blog about the legality of the smoking. I think this misses the point...

What candidate has a private party - invitation only - for election watching?

In the discussion, Kent Monte - Esslinger supporter, mouthpiece and private party co-host - describes the situation like this:

Invitation only meant just that, INVITATION ONLY. In order to assure that the party would remain that, we issued colored chips to anyone who wanted a drink from the bar. No chip, No drink.
...
This was a private party in a private area of an establishment. It was only attended by people that were personally invited. Nobody was allowed to get drinks without talking to one of the four of us so we were quite sure that it remained “private”. Even the photographer was the daughter of an invited guest.

That leaves no wiggle room. Mr. Esslinger threw an election night party that he made sure could not be attended by anyone except those he deemed worthy.

IRONY ALERT: In his statement to the Northwestern before the election, Mr. Esslinger had this to say:

In his second bid for Oshkosh mayor, Esslinger is not wavering from the themes that got him elected to the Oshkosh Common Council... giving voice to a segment of the population that he worries is too often shut out of the local political process.
...
"When I talk to people one of the first things they say to me is, 'Thank you.' Thank you for listening to the general public"
...
"I'm not on the city council to make friends, I'm not on the council to represent special interest groups. I'm on the council to represent all of Oshkosh..."

Just as long as they don't try to come to his party.

I have been in politics for a while, and I have never before heard of an election party with 'bars on the doors' to keep the masses out. I know for a fact that was not the case with Tower's party, or most of the Council candidates.

But, this really isn't a case of barring the door at the election night party. This is a pattern.

This is a candidate that wants to run on openness in government, yet signed a confidentiality agreement with the 5 River developer so he cannot tell his constituents about the personal discussion he had with them.

This is a person who says he fights for the taxpayer, yet had the city subsidize the road in front of his house.

This is a politician who supported and voted for the garbage fee in budget deliberations, yet campaigns against it at election time.

This is a council member who rails against the pay and job done by the City Manager, yet skips evaluation meetings to play cribbage and votes against bringing discussion of goals back on the table.

In the Northwestern interview Esslinger also stated:

"I think in the seven years that I've been on there, people are very attuned to what I'm all about," Esslinger said.

I'm sure they do, and that's why he came up short on April 3rd.

6th District Dems Go to Princeton!

Here's the press release:

Princeton to Host 2007 6th Congressional District Democratic Convention

OSHKOSH – The 6th Congressional District Democrats will hold their annual convention Saturday, April 21 at VFW Hall in Princeton, WI. Delegates will meet to elect officers, plan for the 2008 election cycle and pass platform and resolutions to be sent to the Wisconsin Democratic Party State Convention in Milwaukee, June 29 and 30. Invited speakers include Governor Jim Doyle, Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Congressman Steve Kagen, and Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke.

“We are thrilled to bring the 6th CD Democrats to Princeton this year,” said 6th CD Democratic Party Chair Gordon Hintz. “We believe it is important to present an alternative to our current Congressional representation that has brought us massive budget deficits and a war with no direction and even less accountability. People throughout the country trusted and supported Democratic Congressional Candidates in 2006, and we believe 2008 will be no different.”

Governor Doyle received more than 46 percent of the vote in the traditionally Republican 6th Congressional District in 2006, with the Green Party candidate capturing another 1.8%.

“We look forward to building the Democratic Party in the 6th District by challenging seats at all levels including the Assembly and Senate. We believe that people throughout Wisconsin support our issues -- from affordable health care to a responsible and accountable foreign policy and I look forward to the turnout this Saturday in Princeton.”

As an fyi... Doyle won the City of Princeton with 50.89%, Green got 46.53%

Doonesbury on Republican Family Values:

Tommy the T to Host Radiao Show with Don Imus?

Tommy Thompson has this to say to his potential Jewish voters:

Former Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson told Jewish activists Monday that making money is "part of the Jewish tradition," and something that he applauded.

Speaking to an audience at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington D.C., Thompson said that, "I'm in the private sector and for the first time in my life I'm earning money. You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that." Thompson later apologized for the comments that had caused a stir in the audience, saying that he had meant it as a compliment, and had only wanted to highlight the "accomplishments" of the Jewish religion.

Tommy then apologized with:

"What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that."

Here is a some good advice for Tommy in the future...

Many proud Wisconsinites may wish to apologize for the stupidity of our former Gov, however as I have pointed out before, he is no longer one of us. Virginia or Washington or wherever is welcome to have him.