.#Wisconsin story. Scott Walker and Tony Evers facing off in #wigovdebate
Walker and Evers sparring over who plagiarized what. Walker, who introduced the subject, got off it quickly. Gets in a Tommy Thompson (popular former WI governor, 1987-2001) reference, and adds more in the next segment.
Tony Evers pledges $1.4 billion in new schools funding, including $600 million for students with disabilities. This sounds like a lot. #wigovdebate
On taxes: Walker, echoing his campaign ads, freaks out about all the taxes Tony Evers will raise. Evers argues Walker’s mania for state tax cuts has prompted localities to raise taxes to fund services previously funded by the state. #wigovdebate
Health care now. Scott Walker rages against Obamacare, but insists he supports pre-existing conditions protections Obamacare includes. He really does. Evers rips Walker for not expending Medicare, joining lawsuit to declare Obamacare unconstitutional. #wigovdebate
Notable how often Walker claims to agree with @Tony4WI on goals. Also how many personal stories he drags into his segments. #wigovdebate
Roads, last of the Big 4 (taxes/economy, education, health care, roads) of state politics to be covered in #wigovdebate — Walker repeating fear of Evers’ increasing taxes, says state roads not that bad. Evers...disagrees, emphasizing northern roads far from big SE WI projects.
We’re well into #wigovdebate when Tony Evers makes an allusion to Act 10 — Scott Walker’s signature initiative against public employee unions — accusing Walker of treating public employees like the enemy. Walker doesn’t come back on that.
Instate tuition for DACA recipients? Tony Evers is for it; Scott Walker says it would violate federal law, something Evers disputes. Walker says he’s for immigration into Wisconsin. Evers would have drivers permits issued to immigrants. #wigovdebate
Note: Wisconsin’s large dairy farms are heavily dependent on immigrant labor, with various levels of documentation. @Tony4WI is very strong on driving permits for immigrants as a safety issue. Walker repeats “we are a nation of laws” tagline several times.
Segment on drunk driving in Wisconsin (our laws here are beyond stupid; don’t ask). Evers calls for more money for treatment; Walker rejects making first offense DUI a criminal offense. #wigovdebate
Agriculture! Walker speaks up for Trump’s trade war, saying it opens Canadian markets for Wisconsin dairy. Calls on people to eat more cheese. @Tony4WI calls for state help to farmers to diversify. Neither man is really an ag guy. #wigovdebate
Disagreement on marijuana, with Evers for decriminalization & Walker saying law enforcement has told him legalization of the “gateway drug.” #wigovdebate
Tony Evers closes by saying he’s a career educator, not a politician, then expertly touches all his political points, including a #Brewers plug (they’re ahead 5-1 in the 4th). Walker smoothly runs through his own points — and asks people for their votes. #WiGovDebate
Quick #WiGovDebate wrap up: @GovWalker is a polished debater; he did nothing to hurt himself, though he was defensive on one or two points. But he’s trying to paint @Tony4WI as scary, risky. Wasn’t able to do it. Evers made all his points, avoided the trap of refighting...
...the 2011-12 battle over Act 10, was positive and unthreatening. #WiGovDebate was scheduled before the Brewers made the playoffs; not many people here watched. But clips will give @Tony4WI a slight edge in a year trending toward Democrats. That’s all. [end]
