Obey wants Walker recalled, even if he has to run against him

[a kennedy]

One of the most venerable names in Wisconsin Democratic Party politics isn't ruling out coming out of retirement to run against Governor Walker if the governor is recalled. Mike Simonson reports.

After 42 years as northern Wisconsin’s U.S. Representative, Dave Obey decided against running for another term and retired in January. But now, he’s angry enough to get back into the ring if Walker is recalled.

"What he has done to crunch education and what he has done to strip workers of their legitimate bargaining rights is bad enough.”

But Obey says new Republican-backed Voter ID laws are even worse.

“When you start putting up barriers to peo ple casting their votes at election time, you are going right at the guts of democracy and I think it’s outrageous.”

But Obey isn’t his own first choice. He hopes retiring U.S. Senator Herb Kohl or Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett run instead of him.

“Sometimes you don’t get what you prefer in politics and in that case I would have to think about it.”

Recall petitions against Walker could begin November 15 with an election as early as next spring.

More than half a million signatures will be needed to trigger a recall election.

http://www.businessnorth.com/kuws.asp?RID=4074

[dembotoz]

1. to have obey on the tickey would be an answer to prayer

and i don't pray much.

[postulater]

2. A big time challenger would help spark interest in the recall.

[midnight]

3. Glad to hear some names being discussed... The logistics are nuts for Mayor Barrett, but I would

like to see him win the Governor's seat...

[undeterred]

4. Glad Obey is up for it, but he and Kohl deserve their retirement.

Barrett lost to Walker - running him again is a terrible idea.

It should be Feingold or Erpenbach.