A pretty insightful look at the Democratic primary for AG, from - TopicsExpress



          

A pretty insightful look at the Democratic primary for AG, from WisPolitics report to subscribers, republished here by permission: POLITICAL STOCK REPORT--A collection of insider opinion-- (Mar. 15-21) RISING: Susan Happ: That the Jefferson County DA won the backing of EMILYs List is no surprise to insiders. After all, the group helped recruit her to get into the AGs race. But sources tell WisPolitics that two AFSCME councils are poised to endorse her soon, and Dems say there are signs traditional party constituencies are betting a female prosecutor from GOP territory is their best hope at winning the open attorney generals office in November. To be sure, there are deep divisions among Dems over the state of the primary. Those backing Jon Richards campaign dont understand the rationale for a Happ candidacy, while those backing the DA cant comprehend how some believe Richards could win in November without any prosecutorial experience. Richards backers are quick to downplay the importance of being a prosecutor to run for the states top cop. They point to his long record in the state Legislature and are quick to tout the perception that he is running the most organized primary campaign on the Dem side. They also knock the foundation of Happs candidacy. Yes, shes from a GOP area, they acknowledge. But they question if shed even win her home county in a statewide general election and argue that she has no real base in the Dem Party since shes from outside Dane and Milwaukee counties. While Wisconsins AGs have been past prosecutors in recent decades, they are quick to point out that isnt the case nationwide as evidence it is not a prerequisite to run. Happ fans, meanwhile, stress whats fair and whats right are two different things. Voters, they say, see the AG as a prosecutor and lacking that experience is an impediment, regardless of how much they may personally like Richards. Whats more, they add while Richards has a liberal record in the Assembly that will please the base, it would also be ripe for Republicans to pick over for attack ads come general election time. Happ presents a law-and-order candidate who is the perfect vehicle to counter what Dems believe has a been a war on women in the state Legislature. Dane County DA Ismael Ozanne, the third candidate in the race, has prosecutorial experience as well, but operatives are watching to see if his campaign can take off after a staff shakeup earlier this year. Meanwhile, the EMILYs List endorsement should help Happ with fundraising, insiders say. Some caution Happ will have to prove her viability as a candidate to experience the full benefit of the groups backing. But shell get a boost on that front with the expected endorsements of AFSCME Councils 40 and 48, according to sources. Though public employee unions have been hurt financially by the guvs collective bargaining changes, they can still encourage members to head to the polls in a low turnout August primary. Some insiders are surprised by the looming endorsements, noting Ozanne filed the legal challenge to Act 10 and Richards was on the floor of the Assembly for 40-plus hours railing against the bill three years ago. That has some Richards fans wondering if the rank-and-file will follow leaderships endorsement knowing the history Ozanne and Richards have. Either way, some believe the key to winning the primary will be who can put together the best organization and who can raise enough money for a solid week or two of TV leading up to the August primary. No one really knows much about the three right now, they say. Thus, whoever can put the most compelling ad on TV will have the inside track to the nomination. Some Republicans believe Richards is the most likely candidate to emerge from the primary as the race stands today. But they also dont believe he poses much of a threat to Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel, who they say has more courtroom experience as a prosecutor than the three Dems combined. While Dems are jockeying for position, Schimel is running a textbook law-and-order campaign, touting the backing from fellow DAs and cops.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 14:16:36 +0000

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