"Tom Barrett's interest in governor's race signals weak field, vulnerable incumbent"

[elocs]

[link:http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/tom-barrett-s-interest-in-governor-s-race-signals-weak/article_93126f86-7805-5bda-927f-60d160453986.html|

"Last week’s revelation that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is thinking about challenging Gov. Scott Walker for a third time fueled two narratives about this year’s election — that the current Democratic field is weak and that Walker is vulnerable.

Jennifer Duffy, senior editor of the Washington-based Cook Political Report, highlighted the perception that the growing Democratic field does not include a stand-out candidate.

“That sort of sums it up,” Duffy said of Barrett possibly getting into the race. “Whatever evidence there might be that Walker has some vulnerability, you look at the Democratic side of the aisle and say, ‘Is there a candidate there that can beat him?’ Barrett’s contemplation of the race sends a message that ‘No, there’s not.’?”

Duffy and other national political experts who rate gubernatorial races say the Wisconsin contest “leans Republican,” meaning Walker has a better than 50/50 chance of winning a third term, even in what could be a Democratic wave election year."

This is not an open seat. My fear is that a crowded Democratic field without a stand-out candidate with good statewide recognition won't be able to beat Walker with his powerful and well funded political machine. Walker will just stand back and be governor while the Democratic candidates have at each other and he will hope people will just see it as better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
Frankly I feel more confident of the Democrats chances of taking the House than the Wisconsin governorship.

[Liberalhammer]

1. Barret No!

He has had his chances, please don't run. He bumbled the lead issue in the city, pretty bad case of incompetence.

[ewagner]

2. Excellent points...

I worked for and supported Tom twice before but can't do it again. I admire and respect him but we need a SUPER-STAR to beat Wanker...

We need to either find a yet-undiscovered Democratic superstar or create one from the field of candidates we already have.

[elocs]

3. "We need to either find a yet-undiscovered Democratic superstar"

Agreed, but that should have been done at least a year ago because there's only a little more than 6 months to the election. Walker has the power and the pulpit of the governor's office and he will use it to his advantage, will do things and say things that seem to make him more acceptable but once he is reelected it's a different story.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

4. How can there be a stand out candidate when theres not much chance to see them in action - wish

there could be some kind of forum or maybe whole series of debates NOW re: the future of this state.

The key is - dont let ANYONE define it as "having at each other." Instead, let us call it democracy in action, a lively vibrant thing that engages us and gets attention and gives us some information to go on so we can go to the polls with.

Thats exactly what I was hoping for during the recall and and last gov election. Instead - SOOOO disheartening to have the discussion be about who has the most money & who is ahead in the polls.

Not sure who would pay for such a thing. All I can say is I would be motivated to donate more $$$ to party if I knew it was going to fund this sort of thing.

[BlueWI]

5. Agreed

A field of contenders and a contested primary can be used to dominate the news cycle and promote the party. Plenty of press releases and public conversations about vision and the big picture are also helpful.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

6. YESSSS why can we not have that - kept thinking thats what the recall would be, and 2014 we had Mary

B anointed because she had a lot of money. Yeah a nice accomplished woman but.... one with a lot of money!

[BlueWI]

7. I think that Democratic Party supporters need to call for the bigger vision.

Maybe more of us should volunteer to work in a PR capacity for local and state candidates.