I wonder how much Lester Pines donated to Diamond Jim's campaign funds over the years? His new legal counsel, Susan Crawford, http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S... isn't as cute as Chandra Fienen http://commerce.wi.gov/newsletter/2007/A... but Susan puts out more - $1000 in campaign donations to Doyle, vs $350 from Fienen http://racinenews.org/2009/08/24/doyles-...

why wouldn't jb van hollen defend this case?
he standing on principle. here is his statement:
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In November 2006, Wisconsin voters amended our State Constitution to declare that marriage was between one man and one woman. The amendment prohibits our government from recognizing any other legal status substantially similar to marriage. But the general domestic partnership provisions contained in Act 28 do just that – recognize a legal status that is substantially similar to the legal status of marriage.

That is why I cannot represent the state in this case.

My decision isn’t based on a policy disagreement. As Attorney General, I prosecute and defend laws that I wouldn’t have voted for if I were a policymaker. That is what I believe the job entails.

But I will not ignore the Constitution. My oath isn’t to the legislature or the governor. My duty is to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the highest expression of their will -- the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. When the people have spoken by amending our Constitution, I will abide by their command. When policymakers have ignored their words, I will not.

To defend the law would require me to ignore the command of the voters when they passed the recent marriage amendment or to ignore the expressly stated intent of the legislature in enacting Chapter 770. I am unwilling to do either.
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Is there any rights that you'd like taken away from you, Sandman? I personally appreciate the new domestic partnership law.

Too bad there isn't a one way track out of Madison.

Sandman, the trainsets will be used on the existing Amtrak line.
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Mr. Sandman mused: He better not run again -- he'd definitely lose that election!

I note that on Aug 17 (a mere 8 days ago) Doyle publicly announced he wasn't going to run for governor again.

More money wasted on this underhanded attempt to circumvent by budget attachment the gay marriage issue that was already decided upon by the voters of this state.

First purchasing the train set with no tracks (and no money or commitment to lay them), then instituting the state employee domestic partners insurance during a worldwide recession and in the face of pending state employed furloughs, then this debacle, all at taxpayer expense.

Van Hollen is right in declining defense of this nonsense. Has Doyle lost his mind? The answer is obviously YES! He better not run again -- he'd definitely lose that election! Doyle's like the captain of the Exxon Valdez steaming full speed ahead into Prince William Sound with half a jag on.

Doyle -- take your job with the train company that was a result of your $47 million "investment" (or with WEAC, or with whomever you've made your deal with the devil) and move on before you run this state into the the ground and ruin it for years to come!