I have to apologize in advance, but I'm sick of the infighting over who should be the candidate for governor of Wisconsin...I don't like Kathleen Falk any more than some of the rest of you, nor do I like the fact that WEAC threw their support behind her before any other candidates besides Kathleen Vinehout had declared. In fact, I find it embarrassing and shameful that a major union in our fight threw their weight behind ANY candidate at this point in the process before their own union members or the movement had its say. However, we have to realize that SCOTT F'IN WALKER is our target. We are already falling prey to the extremist GOP talking points...union leadership, balancing the budget, collective bargaining, property taxes, etc. It's time for us to take some ownership for our roles in the movement, and not let the Repugs dictate what we determine is important on our side. We will not agree on every issue, and, in fact, many of us will fight tooth and nail over various issues. I find that to be healthy and to be expected when our over one million strong people's movement is made up of such a wide array of organizations, communities of interest and individual viewpoints. But, we have to remember to stay united to the core. After all...that's what got us here.
I'm not saying that we have to agree over everything or cow tow to various groups' best interests that we disagree with. I just feel that if we divide ourselves now...we will invariably divide ourselves when it comes to the real election, and we will lose. The Democratic primary should be about a choice over whose vision we see leading our state FORWARD. Let us encourage every potential candidate that has even a fuckin' inclination to run, to throw their prospective hats in the ring. That way, and ONLY that way, we will possibly see the choice of the people to challenge the fascism that has overtaken our state house...and more importantly, OUR HOUSE!! I have run into many people since last Saturday's kick-off rally at the Captiol, who have been inspirational in the movement, and look forward to touching base with many more over the course of this week's "One Year Longer, One Year Stronger" events. We must remember, it's the Uprising's first birthday...and I hope to see it figuratively stuff it's face as full of unified cake as humanly possible. We MUST keep our eyes on the prize. Our state's future is dependent upon this...Solidarity & FORWARD!!