TPA is a Test for Mark Green
Let me add a few thoughts to Owen Robinson’s take on the TPA’s status.
First, Owen’s correct that GOP leadership failed to get a common-sense, uncomplicated amendment passed. We shouldn’t be surprised with State Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz because he could care less about limiting government (and his own importance). With Speaker John Gard it’s a case of being too concerned about one’s political future. Gard cares more about winning a seat in Congress than limiting government spending and power. It would have been better for the TPA if Gard would have stepped down as speaker; but that would have hurt his chance at getting Rep. Mark Green’s seat. In Gard’s political calculation he put his future ahead of the state’s. That shouldn’t be surprising if you view politicians like I do as fairly rational, self-interested participants in the political economy.
Second, the TPA can be saved. Even with the short amount of time left gubernatorial candidate Mark Green is the closest the Wisconsin GOP has to a leader. Schultz doesn’t give a damn about conservatives, Gard is too busy running for Congress, and party leaders Rick Wiley and Rick Graber are too often the two that can’t shoot straight. Only Green is in a position to build a unified front to get a tax limitation amendment passed. It’s conceivable his campaign could write an amendment that either limits state and local government spending or taxation that isn’t a Rube Goldberg document policy wonks, lawyers, and judges will argue over for years. As the flag bearer for the Republicans he could get Gard and Schultz to at least get a vote on the amendment.
If the TPA dies this year like I think it will I won’t put the blame on Green. I’m sure he assumed a GOP-controlled legislature could get something passed. The political situation is such that Green could really enamor conservatives. He would solidify his limited government credentials and have something tangible to hold against Gov. Jim Doyle. If the TPA goes down Green can use the issue in the campaign. For Green it’s a no-lose proposition.
Owen is right in the title of his post. “Leadership Does Actually Matter.” Mark Green has an opportunity to show the state he has the ability to lead by getting his party’s act together.
“Leadership Does Actually Matter”
The only real way to “Get the Party’s Act Together” is to get the RNC to hold party members accountable to the Party.
We never see any Republicans in any state house/senate or federal house/senate get their Politcal Party association revoked for being too far dissimilar with the RNC party platform.
It is about time we hold people to the Party Platform…
Until this happens, I wouldn’t put much faith in any politician that thinks he can get anything done.