No, I don't think the WEAC backed Butler out of "the goodness of their hearts", I think they backed him to ensure things like smaller class sizes, ensuring that there is no standardized cap put on the bargaining rights of teachers, etc.
Have you compared the amount of money tossed into the race by the WMC and the WEAC?
Have you compared the quality/truth of the ads paid for by both parties?

WMC also tossed $2.2 million dollars to get Ziegler elected.

The tactics used by the WMC are not going unnoticed, however, not only have they lost the support of Doyle (a candidate they once allied with and endorsed), but businesses are also beginning to disassociate themselves with the WMC. Look at Epic Systems, who recently announced that it would PREFER doing business with companies not associated with the WMC.

I'll not argue with the value that Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce once held, but they have obviously lost their way. I hope to see a lot more businesses follow in Epic Systems footsteps...

With the direction the courts where going is it any wonder that two conservitive judges were elected? What about the money that WEAC spent on Butler? Do you think they did that out of the goodnest of thier hearts?

I'm not speaking highly of the intelligence of these individuals, but I know a number of people who voted for Gableman solely because of the "Loophole Louie" and other ridiculous ads paid for by the good old WMC.
I think everyone will see the ramifications of what has happened to the WI Supreme Court soon enough, either to their pleasure or to their dismay.
I never thought I'd prefer an appointed system over an elected one, but this election has seriously made me reconsider. It wasn't really hard for the WMC to buy this election. I'll admit that I am surprised that they were so anti-Butler. He was, as Billnewbie pointed out, Doyle's choice. The WMC was a huge Doyle supporter in the 02' election. Bill, you may have a point that Butler was already turned away by voters, but was it due to another of these smear campaigns? If so, I'd hardly say it holds any weight.

Billnewbie: You're assuming that anyone outside of special interests pays attention to these races. Who knew or cared about Doyle's appointment of Butler, or that he had even run before?
That probably speaks to how sad it is that people don't care about the election of a Supreme Court justice. Maybe now they will, especially after the election of Annette (Never Met A Case I Should Recuse Myself From) Ziegler.

One person's garbage is another's manna. One's brilliant plan is another's evil plot. One's special interest is another's interested philanthropist.
I said it before and I still think it's true that Governor Doyle is responsible for the election victory of Michael Gableman because he appointed Louis Butler to the Supreme Court knowing that Butler had already been defeated for the Supreme Court previously. Both Doyle and Butler thought that incumbent status would be enough to overcome the fact that the voters had rejected Butler once before. If another appointable vacancy occurs during Doyle’s term as Governor, will he appoint Butler yet again in spite of the decisions of the electorate?

Here is an excellent article featured in the Isthmus a couple weeks ago it touches on the race, but more importantly on WMC.

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/arti...

I agree that it is disheartening. That entire race seemed to be, though, didn't it? I was disgusted with the WMC's ad campaign against Butler. What's even more disgusting is that it worked. People actually listened and believed that garbage.

Karl Rove's plan of Permanent Republican Majority is still in force. The messenger is gone, but the Plan remains. Buy the judicial system, & send problems to the Courts.

I do not like that these races are being influenced by special interests. These races are supposed to be non-partisan, but they seem to be turning more and more partisan. It is disheartening.