The “Citizens for Responsible Government” have announced they’ll be managing yet another recall election in their quest for relevance post-pension scandal. This time, they’re going after Sen. Jim Sullivan of Wauwatosa.
You may ask: was something as bad as tax evasion or a criminal complaint that would solicit the recall of an elected official?
Of course not! In the CRG’s opinion, simply voting a on a piece of legislation – a smoking ban that has bipartisan support – they happen to disagree with is enough of a reason to undertake the serious business of a recall.
Of course, it also helps that Jim Sullivan is a Democrat.
A CRG Network representative says the group filed notice with the Government Accountability Board today that it will explore recalling 5th District Sen. Jim Sullivan over the Wauwatosa Democrat’s support for the statewide smoking ban.
CRG said it was approached by an independent group of tavern owners and citizens and their grievance includes “the destruction of property rights and the dishonest method being used to push through legislation to implement a statewide smoking ban.”
Sullivan said those who move immediately to a recall when they have a disagreement with a legislator are “fundamentally disrespecting” the process of electing representatives.
“I understand the concerns of individual bar owners … but the problem here is the CRG people,” Sullivan said. “It’s a band of misfits and malcontents choosing this as an opportunity to take advantage of derailing the political process.”
CRG’s Orville Seymer said the group would likely file the actual recall in about a week or so, beginning the 60-day clock to collect the signatures.
Jim Sullivan is an honorable man and has served with his constituents well over the past three years. For a group to come in and say that he should be recalled because he’s simply supporting a piece of legislation that has broad support is not only hubris at it’s best, but groups like the CRG at their worst.
Acts like this only go to prove the absurdity of the “Citizens for Responsible Government” and their increasing irrelevance in Wisconsin politics.
It should also be noted that one of the main “citizens” in favor of the recall and it’s spokesman, tavern owner Bill Savage, is a legislative aide to Republican Donald Pridemore of Hartford. Here he is with Rep. Pridemore (middle) on the right:
It will be interesting to see how Rep. Pridemore votes on the measure and if his own legislative aide will lead the charge to recall his boss as a result.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and son Carter.
“I understand the concerns of individual bar owners … but the problem here is the CRG people,” Sullivan said. “It’s a band of misfits and malcontents”
Hmm, they are also citizens who are doing somethig legal. I may disagree with the recall effort, but the dishonorable senator is also wrong for calling citizens who disagree with him as misfits and malcontents.
You can still be a malcontent while being a citizen and while doing it legally Dan. Plus, what Ed said.
I’m not saying they are not malcontents- they probably are. However, for a sitting Senator, it seems rather unseemingly for him to call citizens out like this in public.
In a representative democracy we elected public officials, through regular elections, to represent the people.
These are the types of extreme actions that continue to make the republican party, and its local manifestations, more and more irrelevant. Instead of dealing with the tough issues and addressing real problems, they want to go around threatening elected officials.
I hope Orv and his ilk take this a step further, run for office themselves and/or continue push out moderate and reasonable republicans all while making the repub party even more of a fringe movement than it is today.
Tom Reynolds is associated with CRG:
(Former) “State Senator Tom Reynolds held a public town hall meeting recently at the … He’s the head of Tosans for Responsible Government (A CRG affiliate).” – from watchdog website.
That’s all one needs to know to verify Mr. Sullivan’s comments.
Ed W.
Milwaukee
Tom Reynolds has nothing to do with Tosans oro Responsible Government, that PAC is headed up by Stan Zurawski and myself. Sullivan lied his way into office with the help of people like you.
Gretchen Schuldt lied about Tom Reynolds using campaign donations for his personal use. The DA confirmed that. Sullivan, not only is worthless as a state senator but is a confirmed liar and surrounded by people like Ed. W.
First off, I’m proud to have supported Jim in his 2006 campaign and will be proud to support him again in 2010, especially in light of the kind of over the top rhetoric groups like yourself seem intent on utilizing.
And The tosans had “nothing to do with Reynolds”? Really? I’d beg to differ…
Nothing to do expect being on the receiving end of over $1,600 in campaign donations from Tosan’s for Responsible Government in 2002.
Nothing expect that you personally contributed over $1,500 to the campaign of Tom Reynolds in 2002.
If you’re going to make things up, you should at least make sure it’s not about something as traceable as campaign contributions.
Considering Sullivan was very upfront during his election campaign on his views of smoking bans and sponsored the Wauwatosa smoking ban when he was on the city council, I do not see how this recall is justified. A recall should not be used because you do not like how someone votes on one piece of legislation.
Why are the Assembly Republicans sponsoring a recall of a State Senator?
Helping someone get elected and saying that they are part of the leadership is inaccurate.
While we are not past of th recall effort ,we will support it and expose the lies of Sullivan and people like you to the electorate and they will understand.
Just keep saying everyone is a liar(!) while everything you claim gets factually torn down. That will totally make it come true.
You said TRG had “nothing to do” with Reynolds. I pointed out that in fact both you personally and the organization had something to do with him to the tune of several thousand dollars.
In your opinion, that makes me a “liar”. And that’s one reason why no one takes you seriously.
Dan:
Just to set the record straight.
1. CRG has started one recall in its 8-year history – the Ament recall. Since then we only provide pro bono consulting on how citizens can legally engage their government. Recalls certainly get all the press – but there is much more we do. We did not start this recall and our opinion is meaningless – it is the citizens’ opinion that counts. The heavy lifting is left to the citizens who contact us. Perhaps our detractors have a problem with providing consulting on how to do a recall. How about public defenders? Any problem providing pro bono legal consulting to alleged criminals?
2. There is no recall of Sullivan at present. We met with a group of citizens that called us. They have formed a recall exploratory committee only. No one is out collecting signatures just yet. This is much ado about what, at least at this point, is nothing.
3. Read your State Constitution. Elections are for “hiring.” Recalls are for “firing” and not to be confused with impeachment. It is a citizens right to hire OR fire for ANY reason. Recall is not an inferior right to election. Keep in mind it was turn of the century progressives who put recall in place. It was DESIGNED to be used in situations where any group of constituents loses trust in their representative – not for the commission of illegal acts or lies.
I really do not understand what all the commotion is about. All recall does is ask a question – it does not automatically remove anyone. It takes an election to answer the question and the answer may well be to keep the incumbent.
Recalls are self-limiting and really consist of three separate polls. If the recall is unpopular it won’t attract enough circulators. If it is popular enough to attract circulators it may not be popular enough to attract the necessary signatures. Finally, even if it obtains the necessary signatures it still needs to garner a 50.1% vote – and the first two polls cost NOTHING!
Why are some citizens afraid to let other citizens ask a simple question – unless, of course, the motives are partisan? Funny, no complaints about 9 to 5’s use of direct legislation. Were they also a bunch of “malcontents and misfits” who “fundamentally disrespected” the legislative process? They passed legislation with a poll of a mere 15% of the electorate. The shoe fits much better on the other foot doesn’t it! We may not agree with the outcome but CRG will defend their right to engage government as well. THEY took action – which is more than we can say of some people.
Regards,
Chris Kliesmet
P.S. Yes, we are fiscal conservatives and yes, we are about action over talk. But, next time, call us first to get ALL the facts. We believe in being as open as we want our government to be. Heck, we’ll even buy the beer. Like it or not, we really ARE all in this together. We better find a way to make it work! Let’s talk. Might make for an interesting blog post.
P.P.S. By the way, we endorsed Tom Reynolds’ OPPONENT George Christianson – A DEMOCRAT – at his first election.
Chris,
As always, I appreciate your opinion and level headed reply. You bring up some valid points which I agree with you about. At the end of the day though, it was the CRG who filed the papers with the GAB.
Thanks again, and we’ll talk to you soon.
Nice job Chris!
Obviously that helped him.
People said that Tom Reynolds was head of TRG and he has nothing to do with TRG, only the recipient of some donations.
A lot of truth is going to come out about what a crooked liar Sullivan is, he lost his law license, that means something.
The gloves are off on this one and it is going to be tough as we expose Sullivan for the liar that he is.
You’re the first one to bring up anything about Reynolds being “the head of TRG”. As for the rest of your comment, I’ll simply stand by my previous comments I made about you and TRG’s involvement.
Ed W. made the statement about Reynolds heading up TRG and he quoted that idiot Jim Mcguigan. Thank God for CRG by keeping these crooked legislators honest.
This whole recall business is silly! The election is two years away. Why waste the taxpayers dollars? In fact, Mr. Savage should spend his time cleaning up his West Allis Tavern, which is one of the worst in the City. In terms of aesthetics it’s an ugly disgusting building probably among the top 15 ugliest buildings in West Allis and police contacts. Don’t even talk to me about the apartments upstairs. However, Mr. Savage doesn’t need to fret about his tavern, building, etc. and its effect on the neighborhood. HE LIVES IN BROWN DEER!!!!!