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'Revolting' Development for Gableman

By Scot @ One Wisconsin Now - Mar 21st, 2008 at 12:51 pm EDT

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Category: Judicial Ethics

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Roundly criticized for his Willie Horton-style race-baiting TV spot, Burnett County Judge Mike Gableman got more bad news yesterday.

Dodge County District Attorney Stephen Bauer officially yanked his support for Gableman, citing the ad and calling the ad "revolting."

According to Bauer: "This is not a factual ad. ...This crossed the line. It was revolting, quite frankly. I do think it undermines the entire judicial system."

Editorial boards have begun weighing in on the ad as well and the news isn't good for Gableman.

Reader Comments

Be honest about the nature of the criticisms

By Publius Mar 21st 2008 at 6:32 pm EDT

It wasn't roundly criticised as racist except by extreme leftists. Three or four liberal bloggers does not a roundly criticised ad make...

If you are referring to the criticisms by the AP and former Justice Geske, then be honest and make note that their criticims were based on the horrible misrepresentations of the "facts" presented in the ad.

Do you always set these straw men up?

Re: Be honest about the nature of the criticisms

By Tim Rock Mar 21st 2008 at 6:49 pm EDT

I continue to be amused that extreme right-wingers like Publius cannot see the intent of this ad. Curious whether he thought the Willie Horton ad racist. That one was pretty roundly criticised, and not just by leftists. I see little difference between the two. Raise your head out of your feedbag, Pubby.

Keep up the good work, Scot.

Re: Be honest about the nature of the criticisms

By Publius Mar 21st 2008 at 10:04 pm EDT

Tim, you missed the point of my comment completely.

I think the ad made gross misrepresentations, but racist it wasn't. More likely, it was seen as racist by those who have been waiting for the opportunity to inject race politics into the campaign.

But the point of my comment was simply to say that the ad disappointed me as a Gableman supporter and that OWN does liberals a disservice in their advocacy of Butler by getting exercised over the race issue where none exists versus focusing - legitimately - on the questionable allegations made by Gableman.

By focusing on the race issue, you miss an opportunity to advocate the resume of Butler and make the campaign about issues. So be it, but know that by accusing Gableman of being racist and fearing the attack will work, then you denigrate the voters of Wisconsin that somehow they are racist as well.

Willie Horton hears a who? Who cares? I might care if he was on my ballot in two weeks, but he isn't. Dwelling in 1988 shows your inability to recognize the many accomplishments of blacks since then - including Justice Butler's. Blacks don't need a white guy like you or me to see racism at every turn to feel empowered and to have the cause advanced. Unlike you, I think blacks are better off without my feeling outraged.

But whatever helps you sleep at night, "Timmy"...