Doyle Uses Taxpayer Funds For Politics

Um… how is it legal for Governor Doyle to use his taxpayer-funded official website to publish a press release about him addressing the Democrat convention?  Isn’t that a purely political event being advertised with taxpayer funds? 

Hat tip Charlie Sykes.

1. Likely because Doyle was invited to speak in his capacity as Governor of Wisconsin.  Note how his office only talked about what Governor Doyle was doing there and quoted the convention website to discuss the theme of the day.  There’s nothing illegal about informing people of the governor’s activities, which is what this release is doing.  Consider it a preemptive open records release of his Tuesday calendar.

   It must be hard to be Charlie Sykes, to be smart enough to know what is going on and yet to have to wake up every day and treat your audience like they’re completely stupid in order to remain relevant.  This is a total non-story and anyone with half a brain knows it.

   When the Doyle office starts cranking out the literature and sending people out during the day to knock on doors, let us know.  That’ll be something to get worked up about.

   Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 26, 2008 at 2221 hrs




2. The Governor’s schedule, just like any other elected officials schedule, can be kept in the Governor’s office for both official and political business.  This is clearly defined under state law, and for practical purposes would be hard to argue against.  Anything kept as a state record is a matter of open records under Wisconsin law.  A press release is simply one of many ways in which the Governor may make this particular piece of informaiton public.

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2221 hrs




3. If it was just his schedule that would be fine, but this little gem steps over the line
   

   “Millions of Americans are struggling to get by. The failed policies of the last eight years have betrayed the country’s values and left an economy out of balance. Barack Obama believes a strong economy is unattainable with a weak middle class. Tuesday’s Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack’s concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity.”

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2248 hrs




4. Simply outlining the topics at the event.  Nothing anywhere near out of bounds.

   One of the advantages when people elect you to office, you get to keep telling people your ideas

   Posted by on August 26, 2008 at 2259 hrs




5. There’s no express advocacy in that quote either.  It’s just saying some nice things about Barack Obama.

   I’d agree with you if the release said “vote for Obama.” But it doesn’t.  Politics is always at its most annoying and most worthless when people get hung up on crap like this.  Nobody cares.  There are more important things to discuss.

   Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 27, 2008 at 0050 hrs




6. Since I operate under similar ethics laws, I have to agree with the RS and Lefty; simply stating the schedule is not a violation.  It does skirt the letter and intent of the law, but most watchdog groups are going to shrug this off with a “Whatcha gonna do?” and move on.

   As for my comment on Sykes’ blog - the link was down at the time and I hadn’t seen the release until this morning.  Having seen it, the release is pretty tame, especially in light that many Cabinet Secretaries and political appointees will be St. Paul next week.  If Doyle’s office was asking for votes or money, then all hell should be breaking loose.

   Posted by Kevin Binversie on August 27, 2008 at 0451 hrs




7. First Michelle Obama’s job and now this.

   Oh well keep throwing it against the wall...something will stick eventually.

   Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 0626 hrs




8. Why? Because that’s the rule the incumbents established for themselves. Think Tommy Thompson. Think Jim Sensenbrenner. See
   http://tinyurl.com/biztimes

   Posted by Jack Lohman on August 27, 2008 at 0731 hrs




9. Weak, Owen, weak!  Wake us up when you catch the Governor keeping people on the state payroll whose SOLE job is to shake down lobbyists for money.  That was done by a Democratis legislator (who was a lawyer and had to know better) and the Republican Assembly Majority Leader, and they both did jail time for it.

   Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 0746 hrs




10. Though in a clarification, how do the lefty commentors feel about Doyle using state resources to out and out lie to the public…

    Like say on the reality that there actually was a Budget Deficit in 2006 pending and he had his Budget Director intentionally fudge the books until after Election Day when suddenly - BAM! - there was a budget hole that needed fixing?

    And Jack Lohman, you’re talking about “Franking” I assume you crackpot?  Been allowed since day one of the Republic, a gift given to us by the British.  Nothing like taxpayer-provided re-election materials as a means to “communicate” to those back home what you want them to think you’re doing.

    Posted by Kevin Binversie on August 27, 2008 at 0822 hrs




11. And no, I’m NOT talking about franking. WHAT in the world would have sent you in that (stupid) direction?

    But if you want to talk about “taxpayer-provided re-election materials,” let’s talk about the current moneyed political system which the conservatives embrace. And if you can’t connect the dots, I’ll try to explain it to you.

    Posted by Jack Lohman on August 27, 2008 at 0835 hrs




12. At the very least, the link to the Dem convention should be removed from the state-supported Web page.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 0916 hrs




13. I am agree with your all opinions given by you in your post.Thanks for sharing this in your post with us.Waiting for your next post like this.i was looking fortthis type of site.i gonna bookmark it.keep it up.

    Posted by iphone ringtones on August 27, 2008 at 1102 hrs




14. #13 is spam.

    Posted by Jack Lohman on August 27, 2008 at 1121 hrs




15. Gee, ya think?

    Posted by Owen on August 27, 2008 at 1125 hrs




16. Now he’s sent out his Dem convention speech on state letterhead and crafted by a state employee.  Is that okay? 

    Anyone?? Recess Supervisor??

    Hello??

    http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Aug08/aug27/08 27doyleconvention.pdf

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1234 hrs




17. Can’t decide if that is different.  I’d have to think about it some more.  Interesting he never says “vote for Obama” in there anywhere, although he does say his family endorsed Obama and supports Obama.  But I’m going to guess this is still within the letter of the law.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1333 hrs




18. I don’t think so.  Nowhere in the law does it detail the exact wording of what constitutes “advocacy.” It’s subject to interpretation.  I challenge anyone to read that speech and tell me that it’s not advocacy.

    Posted by Owen on August 27, 2008 at 1340 hrs




19. If you asked the audience at DemCon, I’m sure they’d think it was.  Otherwise, what’s the point of inviting him to speak?

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1353 hrs




20. It’s not just the blatant endorsement of Obama, but also his blatant “rejection of the McCain campaign.”

    Nothing to think about - it’s clearly illegal to use state letterhead, resources (the computer to craft it), and the state employee used to write this partisan, political speech.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1413 hrs




21. The press release may have been a close one, but the speech text was clearly over the top.

    I wonder if our fine AG, what’s-his-name, will do anything about it.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1419 hrs




22. Sorry Pelican Pants, I slept in today.

    Whether one likes it or not, Governor Doyle is giving this speech in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Wisconsin.  He’s not appearing as private citizen Jim Doyle.

    As Kevin mentioned in an earlier post, there will be hordes of Republican Cabinet secretaries at next week’s convention in St. Paul.  If Condoleezza Rice speaks, for instance, are we to pretend that she’s simply a former concert pianist and research fellow from Stanford?  Of course not.  She’s the Secretary of State.  And if she were to encourage people to vote for John McCain, she’d be doing that in her capacity as Secretary of State.  One can’t separate the title from the person.

    If we were to follow the opinions of some here to a logical conclusion, it would be an abuse of public trust for an official to allow their title to be used when endorsing a candidate.  But candidates do that all the time, and it’s beneficial to the public, who would otherwise have no idea who many of those people are.

    If I were Doyle, I would’ve had the campaign staff write the speech, and forward it to the Governor’s office to be released.  Of course, there’s also no saying that isn’t what occurred.  The simple act of releasing an official speech from the Governor’s Office isn’t illegal. 

    So for those of you who want to get your panties in a knot about this, I’d suggest that instead of complaining without any facts, you first get off your ass and go to the phone.  Dial (608) 266-1212, and ask the Governor’s office who wrote the speech.  If it was the campaign office, you’ve got nothing.  And even if it wasn’t, know that you are wasting your breath.  Some of you are making Mike McCabe look reasonable right now.

    Also, I think #14 is spam.

    Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 27, 2008 at 1503 hrs




23. I’m not steaming about him giving the speech.  What I am steaming about is the following:

    1.  Official state letterhead was used a political purpose.  Not only does the Seal of Wisconsin appear, but also the office location of ‘Room 115 East, State Capitol’. 

    2.  A state employee - Carla Vigue - wrote a politcal speech for her boss.  Her name appears on the state letterhead as the contact person. 

    3.  A political speech and a link to a political Web site has been added to the official, taxpayer funded site for the Governor.

    4.  I checked out post #14 and now I’ve got some sweet Rihanna ring tones.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1532 hrs




24. A state employee - Carla Vigue - wrote a politcal speech for her boss.  Her name appears on the state letterhead as the contact person. 

    Actually that just makes her the contact person for this press release, it doesn’t hold that she wrote the speech.  I don’t know how those duties are delineated in Doyle’s office, but it is highly likely that someone else wrote the speech, or as RS said someone from the campaign side even, and Carla Vigue is the media contact for anyone looking to get a comment or more information.

    There is really nothing here.  The DNC convention is a media event.  The Governor of the State of Wisconsin making a speech at this media event is a media opportunity for Doyle.  After taking more time to think about it, I just don’t see the problem here.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1550 hrs




25. Okay, whatever.  I’ve been told to effectively shut up.  No, I get it now.  I’ve seen the light. 

    Whatever.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1555 hrs




26. And that’s what we should focus on, Mr. Pants.  Not on what divides us, but what unites us: the desire for all Americans to have the funky sounds of Barbadian pop diva Rihanna playing on our cell phones.

    I think I’m going to go download “Disturbia” right now, in the name of our newfound unity.

    Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 27, 2008 at 1557 hrs




27. Whether one likes it or not, Governor Doyle is giving this speech in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Wisconsin.  He’s not appearing as private citizen Jim Doyle.

    Let me throw this out there and see what y’all think…

    I would argue that there is no such thing as “Private Citizen Jim Doyle” because he is an elected politician. BTW I will also state that this goes for ALL POLITICIANS not just Doyle…

    It is well known that Police Officers, are not considered “off Duty” just because they are not in uniform, and as such are held to a higher ethical standard than your average wage earner. ( Remember John Bartlett and the failed I was off duty when I kicked the crap outta Frank Jude Jr. defense?)

    In Jim Doyles and every other politicians case I argue that each and every time they have contact with the public, whether on the phone, in the Capital rotunda, in Denver, or anywhere else he may appear outside the confines of the Governors mansion, he is representing the people of Wisconsin in an official manner.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1729 hrs




28. Good point, MJC.  Conversely, consider this: couldn’t every act of an elected official be considered campaigning?

    Newsletters, ribbon cuttings, legislation itself...?

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 1738 hrs




29. Re #15.  Duh!!!

    It was a flag so our astute moderator could eliminate it and avoid clutter. But the dunce instead chose a smart-ass remark. Go figure.

    Posted by Jack Lohman on August 27, 2008 at 2048 hrs




30. Jack,

    If I had deleted the comment, then you would have been comment #13 and people would think that you were referring to your own comment.  I can accommodate, if you like, but I thought I was doing you a favor

    Posted by Owen on August 27, 2008 at 2122 hrs




31. Owen, I don’t care what you do with your blog. I thought I was being helpful, you chose to make a smart comment. So be it. Do it your way.

    Posted by Jack Lohman on August 27, 2008 at 2127 hrs




32. seriously?  this is an issue.... wow… wow… wow. wow…
    the Governor spoke in capacity as Governor of Wisconsin.

    Posted by on August 27, 2008 at 2218 hrs




33. In response MJC (27) and Publius (28), this is exactly why the rules about campaign work are so sketchy in many areas.  Legislative staff routinely whore their bosses out for activities that barely have any legislative significance whatsoever.  Is it really a vital legislative function to dole out pompous citations on fifteen-dollar plaques to Eagle Scouts, or for the institution to spend over a hundred thousand dollars every two years to mail out Blue Books with leggies’ names plastered all over them?

    This is part of what gives incumbents an advantage.  They constantly get to give out taxpayer-supplied crap to their constituents in order to buy a little goodwill.  They conveniently send their newsletters out at the last possible second allowed before elections, so that their taxpayer-funded “update” can also serve as their first big campaign piece.  They cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in man hours every year forcing drafters with law degrees to put together stupid bills that will never pass simply because a constituents suggest them.  “Lookee me, I drafted a bill to deal with your issue.  Now will you stop calling my office?”

    Democrats, Republicans, you name it, they’re all guilty as hell of exploiting the institutional advantages of the office to help further their re-election.  But the question is, what can we do about it?

    The job of a legislator is inherently political, and as Publius notes, to suggest that you can somehow parse all of the duties of legislators and staff into black and white categories is preposterous.  Certainly, some things are easy - fundraising out of a legislative office, for instance.  But a lot of it will always be murky.  The question is, is it better to hem and haw and sweat that gray area, or should we just focus on things that are ultimately more important to voters?

    I’m not sure there’s a right answer, but that’s the reality of the situation when you work in the Capitol.  Everything you do, from responding to constituent mail to drafting bills to the events you send your boss to on the weekends, it’s all ultimately geared towards one goal - getting your boss re-elected.

    Posted by Recess Supervisor on August 28, 2008 at 0203 hrs