Let the 2008 General Election Season Begin

Thursday, September 11, 2008 6:15 AM CDT

Since this is being written before the results of the Sept. 9 Primary Election are known, it allows time to comment on the recently completed Democratic and Republican Party Conventions.

Like many, my first reaction is “thank goodness those conventions are finally over!”

My favorite comment about the November election can be credited to Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Herb Kohl who, in a visit last week to southeastern Wisconsin, let it be known he figures whether the winner is Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, or Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee, the nation’s capitol is likely to see an increased level of bipartisanship. Many hope the senator’s positive forecast is correct.

Already there is some indication the candidates are capable of the spirit of bipartisanship. Here’s the joint statement the two issued on how they would mark the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks seven years ago:

"On Sept, 11, 2008, we will join together to mark the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at Ground Zero.

"All of us came together on 9/11 - not as Democrats or Republicans - but as Americans. In smoke-filled corridors and on the steps of the Capitol; at blood banks and at vigils - we were united as one American family. On Thursday, we will put aside politics and come together to renew that unity, to honor the memory of each and every American who died, and to grieve with the families and friends who lost loved ones.

“We will also give thanks for the firefighters, police, and emergency responders who set a heroic example of selfless service, and for the men and women who serve today in defense of the freedom and security that came under attack in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pa."

Both campaigns are suspending their televised political ads for that one day.

History books

History books published after the Nov.4 election will note that a change in U.S. Presidential elections occurred on that day. That’s because citizens will have elected either the first African American as president or they will have elected the first woman as vice president.

While historians are no doubt best qualified to eventually interpret either scenario, comments immediately following Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin being named as the vice presidential candidate on the Republican ticket were shocking in my estimation. Similar questions were not posed to the Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Joe Biden of Delaware.

“Who wrote her speech? If elected, who would take care of her children? How could she possibly work at such a demanding job without neglecting her family? What would this mean to her special needs five-month old baby boy?”

And perhaps the most unforgiveable n the suggestion that her experience in local and state government couldn’t be meaningful!

(I’m not going to comment on the rush of words about her 17-year-old daughter except to note it wasn’t just panelists or bloggers or callers that were eager to discuss the topic n I heard a well-known late night anchor lead his program with a question about the 17-year old n that’s when I turned off my TV set.)

First of all, ALL presidential candidates and it’s my belief that extends to vice presidential candidates as well, have speech writers. Ted Sorenson, speech writer for President Kennedy, has just published a book called “Counselor” about those various activities.

Participants in a recent C-Span roundtable on speech writing included top speechwriters for Democratic and Republican Administrations that extended from Kennedy to the present day. The program can be accessed on the C-Span website.

When it comes to juggling farm chores, family, community and career job responsibilities, probably no one does it better than farm women who often do all of these and more. Many of these women manage to serve their communities on PTAs, as 4-H leaders and even on local governmental boards and commissions. And, speaking with first-hand knowledge, these women do write their own speeches! Has anyone ever questioned if they were disqualified because of their workloads?

Quite the opposite n it’s pretty well known that the busiest people are often asked to take on additional tasks.

Thanks to President Kennedy, children with special needs (they were called retarded then) moved into the spotlight and today public schools offer special education classes to answer these needs. There are Special Olympics and other community-sponsored programs to assist families.

Unable to resist repetition, I’ll say it again n there is probably no better experience for higher office (or just for continuing to serve in local offices) than to serve on a village board, city council or school board. This isn’t hearsay n I’ve attended some of those local meetings that lasted until 1:30 a.m. and the temperature outside was 20 below. (It’s probably a lot colder than that in Alaska.)

Mercury Rule

Despite objections by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, the Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank rejected further rule modifications on mercury emissions to the environment.

The rule, which was developed to meet Gov. Jim Doyle’s directive calling for a 90 percent reduction in those emissions, has been sent to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

Although this committee has the ability to hold up the rule permanently or for up to a two-year period, no one appears to be anticipating such action. That’s because the committee’s membership is split with five Republicans and five Democrats and a tie vote means the rule would go into effect. It would take six votes to place a hold on the rule. The committee could take no action, or it could schedule a hearing on the issue.

The Assembly committee had been reluctant to impose regulations on the entire state, when most air quality violations usually take place in southeastern Wisconsin.

If the Joint Committee does not act by Aug. 20, the rule will proceed to go into effect.

Under the rule, utilities would be required to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2051.

Voter Registration

It’s pretty clear the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), enacted after the 2000 Presidential Election, is far from being problem-free. HAVA requires states to keep voter registration lists and verify information with drivers license or social security databases. It was supposed to be in place by Jan. 1, 2006.

In fact, last week a test comparison of the Statewide Voter Registration Act (SVRS), designed as a check on HAVA effectiveness, found significant failure.

Using numbers of six members of the Government Accountability Board (GAB), it was found four of the six members failed the initial data cross-check.

The differences were not major n but they point out how minor contrasts can cause problems. In the GAB member check, things that did not exactly match included differences in the first and last name or middle initial and, in one case, a member’s birth date did not match.

Capitol Notes:

- Not much media attention has been given to a DNR report listing 170 Wisconsin municipalities that reported a Sanitary Sewer Overflow in June. No doubt rain and flooding were the contributing factors. Yet it’s hard to imagine there wouldn’t have been major headlines if 170 livestock farms had violated their WPDES permits during a similar time period.

- State Rep. Louis Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point) received the Legislator of the Year Award for 2008 from the Wisconsin Rural Water Association.

- Remember Sept. 15 is the last day for Wisconsin residents in 30 disaster-declared counties to register for disaster help. After this date the three-month application period (during which people could sign up for assistance because of property damage from June and July storms) will be closed. On-line registration is available at http://www.fema.gov or the toll line hotline 800-621-3362.

- What will the weather be like this winter? The Farmers Almanac suggests it will be colder than normal. Regardless of how low the temperatures go, one thing is for certain. Heating costs will be greater.

- September is “Preparedness Month” in Wisconsin with observances planned in several communities around the state. It might be a good time to check your emergency supply list/kit and be sure its contents are not exceeding expiration dates.

- Fall begins on Sept. 21.

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