In a desperate bid to retain power, the Wisconsin GOP hatched a plot to run fake Dem candidates in that state's recall elections.
Chris Bowers wrote last week about the secret tapes that exposed the plot, see his post here.
The dirty tactics are not surprising, because as Chris noted then:
This isn't surprising, given that this is a Republican Party led by a Governor who discussed planting violent troublemakers in the protest crowds back in February and March. They are quite open to planting fakes, double agents, and useful idiots into Democratic spaces if they think doing so will help Republicans.
At least now we know the names of the fake Democratic candidates.
The Journal Sentinel reports:
In letters obtained by No Quarter, local Republican Party officials are encouraging their GOP colleagues to collect enough signatures to get a fake Democratic candidate on the ballot in each of two upcoming recall elections.
The spoiler Democrats, who are identified by name in the letters, would run in the Democratic primaries for the seats now held by Republican Sens. Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac and Luther Olsen of Ripon.
Both of the fake Democrats have a history of giving almost exclusively to major Republicans.
"We need to make sure Democrat challengers face primaries to allow our Republicans time to mount a campaign," Dan Feyen, chairman of the 6th Congressional District Republican Party, wrote in the letter to "fellow conservatives" on Friday.
Fake candidate #1:
John Buckstaff, who is retired, has a long history of giving modest amounts to Republican candidates, including Walker and Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.
Fake candidate #2:
Rol Church
Church, who is retired, made five small donations to Walker during the last gubernatorial campaign. He's also given to Van Hollen and a handful of other Republicans.
Reached Sunday, he was coy about his party affiliation.
"Stay tuned," he said. "It will all be announced soon."
The real Democratic opponent to Randy Hopper in the 18th Senate District is Jessica King.
The real Democratic opponent to Luther Olsen in the 14th Senate District isFred Clark.
The GOP will resort to this kind of deception to keep the majority of voters in Wisconsin from having their way. This 'anything goes in politics' attitude is an all out war on the middle class.
They can keep their fake candidates. We have enough of our own 'fake' Democrats in congress, we don't need any of theirs.
Diary edited to include names of the 'real' Democratic candidates in Wisconsin. Hat tip to ruleoflaw.