State worker wrote Doyle's speech
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Jim Doyle had his state spokesman write the speech Doyle delivered at the Democratic National Convention last month, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in Wednesday’s editions.
Jonathan Becker, director of the state Government Accountability Board’s ethics division, said the work could violate a state law prohibiting the use of state resources for private gain, but it might pass muster if the speech focused on state issues and policies rather than partisanship.
In the Aug. 26 speech at the convention in Denver, Doyle told delegates that Wisconsin residents work hard, care for their families and teach their children. He also talked about a northern Wisconsin factory’s shift from making gear boxes for cars and trucks to making gears for windmills.
The rest of the speech praised Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and criticized his Republican opponent, John McCain, for offering what Doyle called the same failed Republican policies. He asked delegates to reject McCain.
Doyle’s state spokesman, Lee Sensenbrenner, told the Journal Sentinel he spent a couple of hours writing the speech. Sensenbrenner said he and the governor agreed it was permissible for him to write the speech rather than a campaign worker because Doyle had an opportunity to promote Wisconsin on a national stage.
The governor’s campaign paid for his trip to the convention, the Journal Sentinel reported.
Becker declined comment to The Associated Press on whether the GAB was investigating. He said the fact that the speech was delivered at the convention raises questions, but state statutes encourage government officials to speak at conventions and gatherings. Much depends on the speech’s substance, he said.
“There’s never a clear-cut answer,” Becker said.
Sep 4, 2008 at 9:51 a.m.
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The answer don't have to worry about that. It seems you don't have much to be insulted by.
Sep 4, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
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If he was a republican this would be front page news. Well I take that back he would have been forced to resign years ago if he was a republican.
Sep 4, 2008 at 9:49 a.m.
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Doyle has been breaking/bending the rules ever since he got into office and seems to get out of everything.
Sep 4, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
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It's pretty clear he broke the rules, but nothing will come of it.
Sep 3, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.
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Shh.. I'm busy having my intelligence insulted watching the convention.
Sep 3, 2008 at 8:47 p.m.
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His crime will be a slap on the wrist...sure he broke a misdemeanor political law. pay the guy and a fine and it is done...jmo
Sep 3, 2008 at 8:41 p.m.
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why- I'm a slow typer or slow reader- we posted at the same time and I was 4 minutes behind you.
Sep 3, 2008 at 8:40 p.m.
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The problem wasn't that Doyle didn't write his own speech. The problem is he may have violated "... a state law prohibiting the use of state resources for private gain".
In my opinion speech writers for the Governor should always be paid for by the campaign or the officials themselves.
Sep 3, 2008 at 8:36 p.m.
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Read the article PEOPLE!!! A STATE WORKER wrote DOYLES SPEECH. You can't do that!! A bunch of Einsteins on this board.
Sep 3, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.
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Did she write her own speech, probably not...as I type on my HP laptop...:)
Sep 3, 2008 at 7:34 p.m.
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Watching the convention- surprised that Carly Fiorina is going to speak. I honestly don't recognize the names of many of the speakers at these conventions (besides the "big name" people). However, I recognized Carly Fiorina.
She was fired as CEO of HP for poor performance. She was then given a 21 MILLION dollar cash severance.
As an investor (not in HP)- what incentive does an employee have to increase company profitability if they have a 21 MILLION dollar reward waiting for them for poor performance?
Not that either nominee has any control over CEO pay- it just irks me and I'm using this board to vent.
Sep 3, 2008 at 7:29 p.m.
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I can't remember the last politician that wrote his own speech....they all have speech writers..jmo
Sep 3, 2008 at 5:18 p.m.
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Doyle is a lying sack of dung. He weaseled his way into office by buying votes to become our lame duck Gov. IMPEACH THE CRIMINAL!!!
Sep 3, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.
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So, the Governor thinks the legal loophole that allows state employees to create this speech seems to be that as long as you mention Wisconsin in this otherwise partisan political speech, that no law is broken. Lawyers, don't you love 'em.
I wonder what Chuck Chvala and Scott Jensen will think if the Dane county D.A. agrees with the Governor’s rather liberal interpretation of the law.
Sep 3, 2008 at 2:32 p.m.
Sep 3, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
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markr, do you need a hug????
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:54 a.m.
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Spanky sure sounds like the voice of reason doesn't he? Wanna fix politics?---Call the politicians a bunch of childish names. That oughta work!
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:29 a.m.
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That's ok because nobody watched it. He was even made fun of by late night TV because of how boring and insignificant it was and he is.
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
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Just a slimy son of a b.....!!!!! A weasel. watch nothing will come out of this because he is teflon Jim Doyle. A demorat!!!
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