The Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG) announced it will file the paperwork today to begin the recall of State Senator Jim Sullivan. I was one of the first to write about this back in the middle of May, saying the CRG was overstepping by attempting to recall Sen. Sullivan under the week cover that he voted for the smoking ban.
Once they file the paperwork, they’ll need to collect 25 percent of the number of persons that voted in the last Governor’s election in the 5th Senate district. By my quick math, there were 71720 votes cast in the 5th Senate District for Governor in 2006. So the CRG would need to collect 17,900 valid signatures from residents of the 5th Senate District by Friday August 7th to initiate a recall election.
It goes without saying that’s a substantial number of signatures to collect within sixty days.
But beyond the process questions regarding this recall, there are two important points that need to be raised as well:
1.) If the CRG is going after Sen. Sullivan for his vote to ban smoking in Wisconsin businesses, why aren’t they trying to recall any other elected officials who did the same? The ban had bi-partisan support in the legislature after all. The answer is simple: the smoking ban vote excuse is simply a smokescreen to go after the the Democratic Sen. Sullivan, one of the top targets for the Wisconsin GOP in the 2010 elections.
2.) The person leading the charge against Sen. Sullivan, Bill Savage, is a paid legislative staffer to Republican Rep. Don Pridemore. Furthermore, Mr. Savage doesn’t even live in the 5th Senate district, but instead resides in Mequon. So one of the “leaders” of this recall won’t even be able to sign the recall papers himself. It’s hardly “representative” Government when you have a paid staffer of the opposite party who doesn’t even reside in the district threatening to recall an elected official!
Rep. Pridemore (middle), Bill Savage (right)
I’ll repeat what I said a month ago about Sen. Sullivan: He’s an engaged and effective representative for his district and it’s constituents. He’s one of the most genuine and open elected officials I know.
I personally look forward to not only watching this recall stunt fall flat on it’s face while continuing to highlight the increased irrelevance the of the CRG, but doing everything I can to get Jim Sullivan elected to another four year term next fall.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and sons Carter and Colton.
Dan you are misleading people again! CRG is not the one recalling. They help people out with doing. Someone contacts them about it and they help. Did you not learn anything from Chris of CRG comments before?
If you need help with what to do in a recall, you would contact CRG for help.
Man you just have it out for CRG! True colors come glaring through!
CRG filed the paperwork for the recall. Therefore, they’re the ones organizing the recall. I do remember what Chris said last month, but as I pointed out to him at the time, if CRG doesn’t wish to be associated with this, it shouldn’t be the group filing press releases or the paperwork to start the recall process.
It’s that simple.
Dan, Dan, Dan… Looks like you didn’t do your homework. So CRG did NOT file the paperwork! You are misleading, guessing or you are just lazy.
I don’t think you would sit down and have coffee with Chris in fear he might change your mind on him and CRG. Then what would you do? You would not want to second-guess your tunnel vision glasses you look through.
People that read believe what you write, but now many people will question it! I just wonder why so far others are not call you out on misleading titles and info.
Just because you don’t like a recall doesn’t make it not right to do! It is someone’s RIGHT to do one and fire the elected person if enough signatures (votes) (people) say so. It is one of the things on the left that truly scare them. It scares more on the left than the right, because the left lives in the realm of lies so much more of the time.
CRG has offered to sit down with any of the left and buy them coffee, yet none take up the offer. Why do you think that is? Isn’t the left the party of sit-downs and talk? The party that would rather use diplomacy than attack or is that all just empty talk?
CRG may not have filed the paperwork, you’re correct. As I point out however, CRG continues to file press releases for the recall and have “helped” out the process which Chris or anyone from CRG has yet to clarify.
As for your last paragraph, I am not the “left” and I don’t think Chris would say he’s CRG. He and I will work out his offer, but it’s a little silly to go bombastic like you are without knowing what’s going on behind the scenes.
What a ridiculous waste, regardless of who is behind it. If I had donated to the CRG, I would be pretty angry that my money is being spent on these stupid partisan games (although maybe that’s WHY I would have donated to the CRG?).
Dan, one thing to look out for… either the CRG is completely inept, or they do know how many signatures they need. Does the timeline coincide with any big conferences the CRG is involved in? Either they don’t know what they’re doing at all, or they actually do have a plan to get this many signatures. Or, thirdly, they’re just trying to get press.
“I’ll repeat what I said a month ago about Sen. Sullivan: He’s an engaged and effective representative for his district and its constituents. He’s one of the most genuine and open elected officials I know.” If that’s true than he should have no problem keeping his seat. If he is not, OR the constituents of the 5th district don’t like his stance on the issues, Mr. Sullivan will have to look for a real job.
To specifically answer your question(s):
1) Because he is a representative that voted for a bill that a citizen(s) didn’t like (a bill that affects everyone that owns a bar/restaurant, so it doesn’t matter who requested the recall) and they are acting on it. Does it “help” that his position is tenuous (at best) and there is a good chance he’ll lose? I’d be naive to say no, but hey, this is WI politics…..
2) State Senators vote for many, many things that affect people outside their district (RTA’s, tax increases, etc), so the fact that this is being lead by another politician’s aide AND more importantly – BAR OWNER, shouldn’t be (and isn’t to me) a surprise to anyone.
Personally I think that Jim Sullivan stance on the issues do not reflect my views. Does that mean I support a recall? No; he’s no Tom Ament. But, what the CRG is taking on, at the behest of Savage and others, is part of the voting process, and allows the citizens of the 5th district to either retain the person they voted in 2+ years ago, or get someone in there they feel is better suited for the job.
“So the CRG would need to collect 17,900 valid signatures from residents of the 5th Senate District by Friday August 7th to initiate a recall election.” Not if ACORN did it.
But this is a waste. Yes, they have a right to do so, but to recall a legislator over 1 issue seems kind of stupid.
This is especially a waste of time since Sullivan has always been upfront on his position/view of smokefree laws. He not only sponsored the Wauwatosa Smokefree ordinance when he was on the Tosa city council, he campaigned on the issue when running for the state senate. He not only did not hide it he made it front and center of his campaign.
For CRG to suddenly claim they are shocked, shocked I tell you, that Sullivan voted for the smokefree law is disingenuous at best.
You know guys, EB-1 recall filings are public documents. I know you do not like our ideology but please stop lying about us. I am certain you can find things we actually do if you want to grouse about us.
Neither the Doyle nor the Sullivan recall was filed by CRG. They were filed by citzens who asked for our educational assistance. If you check the PUBLIC record the only recall we ever filed was the Ament recall (a single issue recall unlike Doyle). What CRG does is educate people on the process (among many other educational items). They contact us and have to pass a 4-step review before they receive our help.
We also issue press releases for some groups we help because, frankly, we have the means and media list to do it. And, yes, because of our history they do get more notice that way.
Regarding the Sullivan group’s recall coordinator, let’s be real. It is not uncommon for any politician to hire any number of outside consultants who are not eligible to vote for the candidate. That selection is based on skill and passion for the job. Last time I checked nothing happens unless constituents sign the recall petition. It is disingenuous to dismiss the effort based on the manager.
America was built on competition and there are laws governing how to compete. Among the them are elections (hiring) and recalls (firing) and one of our missions is to make certain those laws are followed. Read your legislative history – that is EXACTLY what recall was created for despite modern misinterpretation that it is for high crimes. If you wish to keep a politician don’t vote to fire him. But don’t be so disingenuous as to suggest people should not embrace their consitutional rights. What next, deny their right to vote because you don’t like the guy they want to hire or they are single issue voters? To suggest that recall is an inferior right to elections is wrong. There are many more politicians who I don’t believe have the moral authority to run for election – but that is not how the law sees it.
Who knows what will happen in either recall. The threshhold for success is high. But, in the meantime, do your homework and get the facts straight. Compete hard – but by the rules!
Regards,
Chris Kliesmet
P.S. You could call us if you have a question. Aren’t you even a little bit curious? Heck, I’d even buy you a cup of coffee!
Chris, I am a business consultant, and while part of my job is to help companies through various processes, arguably the more important part of my job is to advise the client against doing things that are a waste of money, resources, and time.
Chris, Couple questions: who is it exactly that filed the EB1 today and what ‘help/education’ is CRG providing them, outside of doing press releases? Is the CRG in any way donating either financially or through in kind contributions to this recall effort?
Further, is the CRG currently working on any other recall efforts because of the smoking ban vote, or is the lone target a single Democratic State Senator?
As I said previously, I’m surprised that you’re surprised the CRG name gets associated with these recalls when the CRG name is plastered over everything that’s put out publicly. Today’s press release is not an exception to that.
If CRG doesn’t want to be associated with these recall efforts, then they shouldn’t be associated with the recall efforts! You can’t have it both ways, you know?
I have no argument with your statement about the right of average citizens to be involved in the election/recall process. We all agree on that. But the Citizens for Responsible Government isn’t a person, it’s a political action committee, correct?
As always, I really do appreciate your forthright and reasoned comments.
Chris, just wondering about the questions I asked. “Is the CRG in any way donating either financially or through in kind contributions to this recall effort?
Further, is the CRG currently working on any other recall efforts because of the smoking ban vote, or is the lone target a single Democratic State Senator?”
Any response?
So how much is Sullivan’s campaign paying you to write this crap? He and every other SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT should be put into rehabilitation camps!! I’m sick to death of guys like Barak Hussein Obama and Sullivan trying to take over MY COUNTRY. That goes for you to Cody. Either start acting like an American who loves his COUNTRY or move to FRANCE with all your other socialists!!!
Thanks for your insight as to why you and people who share your completely out of touch point of view hold a monopoly on what it is that defines what it is to be a “real” American.
Personally, I don’t give a rats*** whether CRG is involved or not in the recall. Mr. Savage, please, less time on ridiculous and time consuming recall efforts; more attention to your tavern. Begin “reform efforts” at home (which is either Brown Deer per West Allis property records or Hartford per West Allis police records) for the sake of the actual West Allis residents (and bona fide constituents of Senator Sullivan) who put-up with your nuisance tavern and absentee management. For example and illustration, per West Allis Police calls :
4-26-04 11:43 p.m. Female very intoxicated
4-26-04 10:15 p.m. Request for assistance remove drunk party from bar
8-9-04 10:32 Noise Complaint
8-14-04 2:26 a.m. Fight in front of bar
9-21-04 1:04 a.m. Possible underage drinkers in bar
11-17-04 1:25 a.m. Assault; subject was assaulted offender not on scene
1-19-05 1:57 a.m. Trouble call – Bartender denied problems and suggested that neighbors called police because some of the customers were loud and chair fell over 2-4-05 6:52 p.m. Suspicious Activity – Elderly man (who shall be nameless) had partially fallen into roadway walking home from Wild Bill’s; elderly man was extremely intoxicated.
2-13-05 9:48 p.m. Arrest for breaking a glass mug and striking ex-girl-friend in the head
3-11-05 4:43 p.m. Disorderly Conduct; report of victim being pushed by mother’s ex-boy friend
3-30-05 1:27 a.m. Trouble call: fight
11-12-05 2:52 a.m. Report of after-hours drinking
2-28-06 12:15 a.m. Suspicious Activity; person carrying a large white bag or substance; person Retreated behind residence; tenants did not admit to knowing the person.
6-4-06 12:55 a.m. Assault; bar fight female slapped in the face; both parties intoxicated
6-21-06 12:47 a.m. Assault; bar fight female slapped male; one male struck on head with liquor bottle by another male.
6-26-06 10:25 p.m. Request for Assistance; Man entered tavern “to collect” from someone; concern he may have gun; no gun found
7-29-06 9:34 p.m. Mother and daughter fighting
8-15-06 2:05 a.m. Suspicious Activity; woman laying on sidewalk with man standing over her; verbal argument; both have active warrants
8-25-06 12:34 a.m. Suspicious Activity; unknown w/m outside Wild Bill’s appeared highly intoxicated.
9-13-06 11:45 p.m. Assault; two females in fight outside tavern
1-18-07 12:56 a.m. Trouble Call; responded to call regarding six persons fighting;
Bartender denied any physical fight and was later overheard by W.A.P.D.
demanding to knew which of the customers called the f**k*** cops because
She can control everything.
4-18-07 10:08 p.m. Trouble Call; two parties fighting in the street; bartender denied anything inappropriate occurred inside the bar.
4-30-07 11:15 p.m. Party struck by husband
6-30-07 9:27 p.m. Disorderly Conduct; fight inside bar; suspect physically resisted officers
7-10-07 9:05 p.m. Disorderly conduct; victim slapped
11-12-07 10:07 a.m. Disorderly Conduct; fight in progress; suspects “highly intoxicated” and
Resisted arrest, several officers needed to restrain
12-6-07 2:00 a.m. After hours drinking
12-25-07 11:51 p.m. Bartender without license on person
1-09-08 2:52 p.m. Loud music
5-12-08 1:41 a.m. Trouble Call; fight in bar
6-1-08 12:58 a.m. Trouble Call; fight in bar
7-9-08 12:59 a.m. Disorderly Conduct; fight in bar flashing gang signs
8-16-08 2:44 a.m. Disorderly Conduct; investigation revealed victim struck in front of Wild Bill’s
9-13-08 11:26 p.m. Officer on patrol observed man and woman fighting
2-7-09 1:29 a.m. Weapons; women fighting and a possible gun
5-3-09 1:27 a.m. Weapons: Arrest for Felon in Possession of Firearm