Mark Belling broke this story this afternoon. He obtained a series of emails between state DHS employees and Steve Schultz, a reporter for the MJS. In the emails, it is pretty clear that not only are DHS officials taking political considerations into account as they move to take over a Milwaukee County department, but they are also coordinating the effort with Steve Schultz to try to do it in a way to paint Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in the worst light possible.
Couple comments…
1) Steve Schultz has disgraced himself.
2) It’s very clear that the state’s actions have everything to do with politics - specifically the upcoming governor’s race - and not with serving the people of Wisconsin.
Just SHOCKED, I say…</sarcasm>
I think Belling missed the point in that segment. The MJS is a liberal newspaper. That is their prerogative and it is certainly legal for them to spin news any way they choose. They may cooperate with political operatives as much as they like.
But isn’t there a law regarding performing political work while working on the taxpayers’ dime? Belling did not address that. Or does the law only apply to (R)‘s?
I believe that the idea of this being motivated by politics was kicked around on this very website and OCD’s like capper poo-pooed the idea.
Seth Boffelli is a long-time Democratic operative and no one should be surprised that he is politicizing DHS and its activities. Governor Doyle, if he wants to stay above this fray, should shit-can him, launch his own investigation into this and leave no stone unturned.
I wonder if there is a paper trail that leads from DHS/Timberlake to the East Wing and Doyle’s personal staff. Too bad Schultz can’t be trusted to track that down.
Many of these low and mid-level agency staffers work for both Governor Doyle and candidate Doyle. I suspect he’s got hundreds of agency workers who were nothing more than low level foot soldiers in previous campaigns.
So basically, you hand out a few flyers and get rewarded with a nice, comfy government job. Of course, that reward comes with a price.
Scott - This is unbelievable. The fact that a reporter would work with a state agency to make you look bad is disgusting. Stay strong - we need you in the Capitol.
Wouldn’t Doyle be guilty of using state resources for a political purpose.
I’d like to blame the Journal for something, but they have been living down to our lowest expectations for years and that makes it almost not worth mentioning.
Mark read a “response” from a Journal Sentinel editor that was lame. Tried to claim the reporter was only seeking a more complete story.
Wow, I can’t believe that there is a string of emails between a reporter and state officials over a news story.
That is about the biggest pile of nothing I’ve ever seen.