October
2006
Police Come out Big for Sullivan with Billboard
The Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) is spending $20,000 in their efforts to rub out Tom Reynolds from the legislature and it's no surprise — Reynolds scored dead last on their legislative scorecard, meaning the West Allis senator is about as anti-cop as they come.
So the cops have two BIG billboards which show their support for Wauwatosa Alderman Jim Sullivan over Reynolds and they've chosen a somewhat clever way to show their preference by superimposing Sullivan's name over Reynolds'.
WPPA Assistant Executive Director Jim Palmer said in a matter of fact way, "when it became obvious that Tom Reynolds would have scored better (on WPPA's legislative scorecard) by simply staying home, we decided that we might as well do what we can to send him there for good."
Citing Reynolds track record for rhetoric over substance coupled with the senator's paranoia, Palmer added, “despite what Tom Reynolds will probably say, our decision to support Jim Sullivan wasn’t partisan, nor was it one made in a vacuum in Madison. We are supporting quite a few Republicans … In addition, our members in Wauwatosa and West Allis, and all throughout the 5th Senate District, just want a legislator who will work to protect and promote public safety, and someone in whom they can take some measurable degree of pride. Jim Sullivan has demonstrated his support for law enforcement as a Wauwatosa alderman, and we are confident that he will be an outstanding legislator.”
WPPA makes their endorsements for candidates based on the input of their members, candidate questionaires and voting records.
Jim McGuigan
Jim McGuigan, Watchdogging Campaigns, Watchdogging Criminal Justice
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Billboards eh? Outdoor advertising works afterall.
Billboards work for name or brand recognition. That’s all.
When combined with an effective marketing / ad campaign, billboards can be a piece of the pie.
So, does that mean Sullivan will support paying an officer’s salary even though that officer has been fired for misconduct, and they are appealing the decision in order to get the most out of the taxpayer coffers? MMMM, interesting?
They also work as a directional or a call-to-action. Much less fragmentation in billboards compared to TV, radio, print, etc.
John Q. Taxpayer,
We’re not likely to find out how Sullivan will vote on that one because the Republicans will retain control state Assembly this election.
Milwaukee Democrats, led by Barbara Toles and Tamara Grigsby, introduced legislation in 2005 to end payment of fired Milwaukee officers (currently the only officers in the state who continue to be paid while their appeals are pending) but Republicans killed the bill in committee.
Right now it’s at 59-39 with Scott Jensen’s seat still vacant. No way the Dems can pick up 11 seats, so the Assembly will remain a Republican show for at least another two years. Unfortunately, that means we’ll have to keep paying dirty cops.
John Q- that is the Milwaukee Police, the association that paid for the ad is the Wisconsin Police Association and is a totally different animal. I am guessing that Sullivan would vote to change the rule for the Milwaukee police since that is consistant with his local control and holding the line on spending history on the Tosa council.
Jim:
WPPA supports dems 80% of time. so lets take Palmer’s comments with a grain of salt. I imagine that those 14 of 60 republicans they support are more than likely un-opposed. Further, the WPPA is a union shop, and union shops couldn’t find their way to political independence if it looked them in the face. Union equals democrat, and that is why democrats can take unions for granted.
Milwaukee police and wisconsin police are not different animals.
Reynolds has become a little sketchy with all the debate stuff, but he does support some good ideas.
Are you suggesting JB VanHollen who they endorsed is unopposed?
The trend with the cops’ unions is they like to support incumbents and frontrunners. In state Supreme Court races they endorsed Shirley Abrahamson and Patrick Crooks, two judges with very different perspectives. They supported Diane Sykes, but will very likely support Louis Butler, the guy she beat (he was later appointed by Doyle), when Butler is up for election.
WPPA supported Tommy many times, as did Milwaukee cops and firefighters. And AFSCME too … He never ran unopposed.
Van Hollen could be described as a frontrunner. And Sullivan too?