Knilans camp mum on debate details
Photo 
Joe Knilans
Photo
Debra Kolste
JANESVILLE — The manager for Rep. Joe Knilans' Assembly campaign said Monday that Knilans has another "campaign-related event" that forced him to withdraw from tonight's forum with Deb Kolste, the Democratic challenger for the 44th District seat.
The Janesville chapter of the League of Women Voters, Forward Janesville and JATV were sponsoring tonight's forum. The local league, however, learned late last week that Knilans was "overbooked" and unable to attend.
Campaign manager Tyler Wenzlaff on Monday returned a Gazette phone call to Knilans.
Given several opportunities, Wenzlaff refused to specifically identify the event that created the conflict.
When asked for the event's location, Wenzlaff said he was unsure and would have to check Knilans' schedule and get back to a reporter, which he didn't do Monday.
"I don't know why people are making such a big deal of this," Wenzlaff said. "Joe has four other head-to-heads with Deb."
Knilans, the Republican incumbent, agreed to participate in the forum Aug. 28, two weeks after Kolste defeated three others in the Democratic primary.
Wenzlaff said Monday he was unsure when Knilans' other event was scheduled. He said he just became aware of the conflict last week. He said he left a message about Knilans' scheduling conflict with the Dane County League of Women Voters because he couldn't find contact information for the local chapter.
Wenzlaff said Knilans would like to reschedule the forum with the league, Forward Janesville and JATV.
So, too, would Kolste.
"I am disappointed that Mr. Knilans canceled his appearance,'' Kolste said. "The forum is traditionally one of the most important events of the campaign season.''
With the unexpected opening in her calendar, Kolste scheduled a listening session for 7 p.m. today at Mocha Moment, 1121 Center Ave., Janesville.
"If I am elected, I intend to make myself available to the community at every opportunity,'' Kolste said. "I think inviting citizens to a listening session is a good place to start."
When asked specifically about the four joint appearances for Knilans and Kolste, Wenzlaff said one was last week on Local Vision TV, an online television network that produces local news features, sports, government, education and entertainment videos.
He said he wasn't certain about the details of the other three but would check and get back with the details, which also didn't happen Monday.
Kolste said Monday that the two candidates—along with several others—appeared at an agricultural forum in August. In addition to that and the Local Vision event, joint appearances are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Janesville Boys and Girls Club, 200 W. Court St., and for a live radio forum Oct. 29 on WCLO radio.
Kolste said the League of Women Voters event would have had the broadest audience and typically is one of the most significant joint appearances for candidates.
"They always step up," she said, noting that she participated in league forums as a candidate for the Janesville School Board and in her Assembly primary campaign.
Carol Tidwell, chairwoman of the league's voter services committee, said her group offered Knilans a time change for tonight's event as well as a date change.
As of Monday afternoon, Tidwell said, she had not heard from the Knilans campaign about rescheduling the forum.
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:52 p.m.
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No Show Joe....It has a ring to it and spot on!
Oct 3, 2012 at 12:04 p.m.
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Not sure who is running his campaign, but it needs some damage control quickly.
Oct 3, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.
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re: the article...If Rep. Knilans doesn't take a debate seriously, or as a priority, he truly does not deserve respect. This is the kitchen...get in it.
Oct 3, 2012 at 9:45 a.m.
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Have you ever noticed the right wing look? They all look like they are the poster child for Goofey audition... The dopey look on all of them The beady eyes Just says they cannot be trusted.
Oct 3, 2012 at 9:43 a.m.
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Good idea to stay MUM as that way they don't blow what little chance they have. Wislady insert foot it might just help you. IMO You are so far right there is no hope, If Jeffery Dalmer was alive and running as a Republican you would vote for him and to try and talk with you is a lost cause as you will never get it or admit that the people you support are not worthy to serve this country. fedup is the same.
Oct 3, 2012 at 9:28 a.m.
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Ryan isn't running against Kolste so there is no need for him to debate her. No Show Joe is.
Oct 3, 2012 at 9:04 a.m.
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Are you equally concerned about Ryan not debating Kolste??
Oct 3, 2012 at 8:44 a.m.
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Trying to think of a more pride-swallowing endeavor than being excuse manager for Scared-of-Women/No Show Joe.
I'm sure the patriots can help out.
Oct 3, 2012 at 7:21 a.m.
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"Wenzlaff said Knilans would like to reschedule the forum with the league, Forward Janesville and JATV."
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:27 a.m.
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wisldy -- the article state that Knilans agreed to the forum on Aug. 8. It does not state that he "would like to reschedule." If twisted word were true, we are all facing even bigger problems. It is one thing to agree to meet your candidate face to face for a debate of issues and different to appear in the same location -- media ops. If he cannot walk his talk, it is time for a change.
Oct 3, 2012 at 5:49 a.m.
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Hizzoner - Good luck with your request. If you have the same experience I have had with this guy, you will get your answer when the election is over and it will be a form letter.
Oct 2, 2012 at 10:51 p.m.
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As a very concerned constituent, I will give you the benefit of all doubt here Joe.
Please private email me and let me know why I should support your candidacy.
Thank you in advance for your expected response.
Oct 2, 2012 at 9:34 p.m.
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"He [campaign manager Tyler Wenzlaff] said he left a message about Knilans' scheduling conflict with the Dane County League of Women Voters because he couldn't find contact information for the local chapter."
Do a simple Google search for "Rock County League of Women Voters." It returns their website and contact information.
A campaign manager who doesn't know the people involved in the local chapter of the League of Women Voters or how to find contact information for the chapter? Time for a new campaign manager. And probably time for a new candidate as well if the selection of his campaign manager is indicative of his decision making skills.
Oct 2, 2012 at 9:26 p.m.
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Ah yes, and a debate sponsored by the frightening League of Women Voters. A he-man like Joe will have none of that.
Check behind those signs out 14. Joe may be hunkering down tonight with the local CRG guy.
Oct 2, 2012 at 9:09 p.m.
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Those signs - must be compensating for something.
Or afraid of women... ole Joe the UAW member but against collective bargaining for majority-female teachers union.
Oct 2, 2012 at 8:10 p.m.
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It doesn't matter how big his signs are, Joe is a small guy unwilling to step up to the big challenges. Quit hiding behind your industrial size signs Joe and come out and face the music.
Oct 2, 2012 at 8:03 p.m.
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What? Cancelled! Now he isn't talking? Joe can't do the simplest part and most important part of his job. Looks like No Show Joe is at it again! or should I say, No Show Knilans? Better yet lets just solve the problem with - NO Knilans!
Oct 2, 2012 at 7:59 p.m.
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It wasn't "an oath of secrecy" according to Joe himself. When I confronted him with that very terminology, he got very defensive and said it was NOT "an oath of secrecy"...but "an affirmation of confidentiality."
Good ol' Joe...playing all of the voters as rubes.
I don't fall for his crap.....DO YOU?
Oct 2, 2012 at 7:48 p.m.
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Hey Joe, How does it feel to be thrown under the bus by your repub. buddies with the new redistricting boundaries. Both you and Wynn lost out with that deal. Of course even after swearing an oath of secrecy to see the new boundaries, apparently you didn't understand them. That makes sense because the ink wasn't even dry on your W-2 for being an assemblyman and you voted for act 10. You and Wynn got played.
Oct 2, 2012 at 7:35 p.m.
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We should probably check the Fitz brothers schedule because it just may show that they were not available on that date to hold the puppet strings for marionette Joe.
Oct 2, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.
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When his own campaign manager does not know what the conflict was or when this supposed conflict was booked, I begin to think Joe felt his ability to debate effectively was not there and he is hiding. In my mind yet one more reason to vote for Deb Kolste.
Oct 2, 2012 at 6:18 p.m.
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Joe stopped at my house last week while going door to door handing out literature. We talked for nearly 30 minutes. He didn't have one original thought in his head. All he did was parrot Walker and the Fitz boys.
My guess is that he realized he is outmatched.
Perhaps he took to heart the words of our 16th president.
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
Abraham Lincoln
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
Oct 2, 2012 at 5:42 p.m.
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This is a real big story!
Knilans said he would like to reschedule, what is the issue?
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