Barrett running for governor of Wisconsin

[ccharles000]

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett will announce he’s running for governor of Wisconsin Sunday, landing the White House political team its favored candidate in the race.

Barrett is one of Wisconsin's most popular politicians, and garnered national headlines recently when he defended a woman under attack, suffering serious injuries in the process. He also was one of the earliest and most enthusiastic supporters of President Obama during the presidential primaries.

After Rep. Ron Kind and lieutenant governor Barbara Lawton decided not to run, all eyes turned to Barrett. Obama’s political director, Patrick Gaspard, met with Barrett during the president’s trip to Wisconsin earlier this month.

Republicans have been optimistic about their chances in taking backing the Wisconsin governorship, and have two strong candidates competing for the nomination -- Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Rep. Mark Neumann.

Facing declining approval ratings, Gov. Jim Doyle (D-Wisc.) decided not to seek a third term earlier this year. Doyle narrowly defeated Barrett in the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1109/Barrett_running_for_governor_of_Wisconsin.html

[LTR]

1. Barrett would make a great governor

Has done a really good job of holding Milwaukee together. I'm guessing he was pushed hard into the race, since he's the best possible hope for the Democrats, and has a pretty impressive resume and high popularity. The White House likes him, since he was a big Obama backer in the primaries.

But, next to Doyle, anyone looks good. He's been horrible.

The Republicans in the race are a joke. Walker has egg on his face from trying to initiate that 'wheel tax', all the while bragging that he doesn't raise taxes. Got shot down by the supervisors. Neumann? He's a nobody.

I'm guessing Barrett will be the next governor of Wisconsin.

[3waygeek]

2. One might say he's

a lead pipe cinch to win.

[Dinger]

3. Barrett Has My Vote

But I still have a feeling Lawton was bullied out of the race. That being said, I always have like Tom Barrett. I made a huge mistake when I voted for Doyle.

[LTR]

5. I have gotten very, very close to actually declaring I'd vote for a Republican over Doyle...

...if he chose to run again.

That's how much I detest Jim Doyle. Made me almost miss Tommy Thompson. And that's a very bad thing.

[ClarkUSA]

4. Barrett has good political judgment and personal courage. He'd make a great governor...

... and would be a good Dem presidential prospect for 2016, if all goes well with his election.