Looking For An 8th District Candidate Part 3

Continuation with excerpts from the Appleton Post Crescent. Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Republican primary runoff forum with three republican candidates in Appleton sponsored by The Fox Valley Initiative on November 3rd, 2009. The candidates were Reid Ribble, Mark Savard and Andy Williams.

"They wanted to know how they would apply the constitution to their role. When is it acceptable to risk American lives? How are they different from politicians when they too accept campaign contributions from outside groups?" Republican candidates for 8th Congressional District make their early pitches at Appleton forum | postcrescent.com | Appleton Post-Crescent

Let's talk campaign money.

Ribble, who leads by having raised more than $130,000 in the race and the GOP has identified as a potential "Young Gun," said any candidate who is serious about winning next November has to raise enough cash to take on Kagen, who virtually self-financed his 2006 bid.

Savard will not use PAC money, will only take from individual contributors. That's a good stance to take but if he was to win the primary, he would end up taking some of that money and to make that comment could come back to bite him. It does take a lot of money to campaign today but conservatives will contribute to a good candidate. Look at New York 23d. * Ribble, said cash matters. Kagen received over 60 % of his campaign money from outside of the state. Ribble does have $130,290 in his fund through September. Most of his contributions are from outside the 8th district. It's seems some calling him a "Young Gun "are already leaning to Ribble because of the $130,000. Money will not buy my vote. If Ribble thinks he is the anointed one, he's got another thing coming. The Republican party better back off from tapping any one till after the primary. Do they want another Dede Scozzafava problem again? * Williams knows it will take a lot of money but thinks if he connects with people he will get the funding he needs (yea he will take outside money).

Williams, a lawyer, pointed out that businesses sometimes need to be allowed to fail. He said he wants to go to Washington to get the country back on the right track and when he is done, to turn over the job to someone who is like-minded.

Williams saying here he would serve two terms and bug out. As far as businesses failing, they should. We don't need to prop up private business. Will anyone talk about Ford compared to GM. One made a profit and one needs more money.

Ribble, who leads by having raised more than $130,000 in the race and the GOP has identified as a potential "Young Gun," said any candidate who is serious about winning next November has to raise enough cash to take on Kagen, who virtually self-financed his 2006 bid.

A little arrogant, don't you think?

Savard, an organic farmer, said he knew he wanted to run for office as soon as he saw the results of the 2008 elections, which Democrats dominated. He said the country is headed for dark times. He said he was energized by public involvement in the so-called tea parties conducted by groups like Steineke's, and voters have one full year to get power back from the Democrats.

You have to give Mark Savard credit. He did push the first tea party in Green Bay back on March 7th. How that works for him, time will tell.

Following the forum, David Stertz, a Clintonville resident and mechanical engineer, said he was still in search of his candidate.

"I just wish I could have seen more of a firm understanding of the principles of liberty," he said.

I think Mr Stertz had it right. The three candidates had a lot to say but a lot of specifis were left out. He was looking for some red meat and came away with a quarter pounder with no meat.

The forum's turnout indicated to Debbie Gates of Seymour that voters have real concerns and are determined to put up a fight in the midterm elections.

"They're seeing that the change (they got with President Barack Obama, a Democrat) is not what they wanted to see," she said.

Amen sister, but will we find a candidate to fill that void?

Savard said he wants to be the candidate that reforms the GOP from within.

To do that Mr Savard needs conservatives, to get conservatives you have to be conservative.

Williams and Ribble suggested auditing the Federal Reserve.

Nice sound bite but would they do it, could it be done? We can't even get a handle on auditing government waste now. Like I said, nice sound bite.

Steineke would not be drawn to say who would be the best candidate to take on the Democrats next fall.

"I'm reserving judgment. I'm interested to see how they respond," he said.

A young lady brought up social security. She was worried if she would even see it in her future. All three danced around the issue and left her hanging. A key voter group are young people. I guess candidates take the 18 to 24 crowd for granted. I sure wouldn't. One candidate starting talking about private Social Security accounts but didn't commit to her on that program. Mostly what was said the age for SS will have to be raised. With all the unrest and talk of revolt ( tea parties), now's the time to bring up private accounts. Anyone one with some guts?

Reid Ribble made the comment he is handing his business over to someone in his family on Nov 10th to focus more on the campaign. Let's see, Ribble is from Appleton. Kagen is from Appleton. Ribble is selling his business to family, Kagen sold his business to family. Ribble has a lot of money, Kagen has a lot of money. All just seems a little odd. Also odd, Ribble doesn't live in the 8th district. says by the constitution he doesn't have to. Not sure where he lives but it's not in the 8th. Interesting. Ok, let's just recap a few things from Tuesdays forum. * Didn't see or hear any conservatives there. If I had to pick one that was leaning conservative it was Williams. I was still disappointed with the three.
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Did anyone have an opinion on the Bush tax cuts that are to expire January 2011. Money to real people, I guess that's to difficult to discuss. * Heard no talk on jobs, tax cuts, some talk on less government but not much. Did I tell you I heard the word "JOB" only once the whole night. The private sector creates jobs, Jobs fuel this economy. Get rid of intrusive government and cut this economy loose. * Did I hear anyone give their stance on abortion? Are any of the three pro life? Were they afraid to say it? Must be out of the moderate hand book, don't bring it up unless someone asks. *
I was going to ask the question, would any of the three reach across the aisle to work with democrats in Washington. Not sure what they would say. If it was me, I would say they can cross the aisle and work with me. I was sent to Washington to work for the people not with liberal democrats and RINO's.
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Did anyone hit at Kagen on all the abuse, misquotes, over spending votes he has had in congress? Come on boy's. Let's focus on Steve Kagen, there's plenty you can tell the voters.
* There is supposed to be another forum in Green Bay sometime in January. Maybe by then we can find a conservative candidate that will stand up with specific ideas on job creation, Specific ideas on tax cuts. Specific ideas on how to get this country back on track. As of this morning there seems to be six people running against Kagen. What the heck, the more the merrier.
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Did I find a candidate to run against Steve Kagen in 2010?
No not yet.
Still looking.