Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates Meet in Debate
On Friday, August 6, 2010, Republican gubernatorial candidates Scott Walker and Mark Neumann participated in the first of three pre-primary debates. WTMJ, the state’s largest media conglomerate, hosted this debate from the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Milwaukee. Jeff Wagner, the moderator of the debate and host of the popular Jeff Wagner Show, asked questions pertaining to the candidates’ platforms, their views on critical policy issues, backgrounds, and their vision for Wisconsin’s future.
Despite Wagner’s questioning, the candidates generally failed to provide exhaustive answers on the intricacies of their platforms or the goals for improving the quality of life in Wisconsin. While the debate clearly delineated the fundamental differences in campaign styles, backgrounds and personalities of the two candidates, it lacked substance and failed to demarcate the substantial differences between Walker and Neumann on seminal policy issues like property taxes, business development and job creation. Wisconsin voters who tuned into this debate walked away with greater knowledge of the candidates’ backgrounds and personalities but insufficient information on the candidate’s vision for Wisconsin or their platforms.
The outcome of the debate was a draw. Neither candidate was overpowering or clearly delineated the fundamentals of their vision for Wisconsin’s future. Neumann, unlike his opponent, discussed his revolutionary tax cut proposal and his plan for job creation. Scott Walker’s response to answers pertained more to what he has already done as Milwaukee County Executive than what he intends to do if elected governor. The Wisconsin electorate, however, value personality, demeanor, and candidate familiarity. Both candidates vying for the Republican nomination are affable, experienced, articulate and highly personable, all of which make the voters’ choice difficult.
Most policy analysts contend that Scott Walker, the GOP-endorsed candidate will easily win the September 15, 2010 primary, due mainly to the fact that he has the county parties and the patronage of the state Republican hierarchy. But the primary election poses one potential disadvantage for the Walker campaign: anyone can vote in the Republican primary. Wisconsin is one of just 15 states that rely on an open primary structure to select its candidates. Open primaries do not require voters to declare a party affiliation when they register to vote. Thus, Wisconsin primary voters have the option to vote for either party.
The 2010 GOP primary is poised to become one of the most epic melees in Wisconsin political history. National media attention is honing in on this battle between two titans. Never before has victory in November been as important for Wisconsin conservatives.
The final two debates between Walker and Neumann will be held on August 14th and August 25th and will be broadcast on WTMJ.
The Wisconsin section of the Weekly Political Forecast is authored by PAI’s Political Analyst.
