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midnight

(26,624 posts)
Tue Mar 3, 2015, 09:18 AM Mar 2015

Wisconsin’s governor faces a lingering campaign probe back home.

"So while Walker is not the only presidential hopeful who’s been touched by an investigation back home—think New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with “Bridgegate” and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo with the closure of the Moreland Commission—what he’s facing is unique. Part of it is the secrecy aspect of the John Doe law, which was intended to protect innocent citizens from the stigma of an investigation but which critics argue also leaves the process open to abuse, giving district attorneys too much latitude to conduct open-ended investigations with little oversight or protection of citizens’ rights to due process. A federal appeals court raised concerns last year that the law may infringe upon First Amendment rights.
Of course, those looking to take some sheen off the latest “it” presidential candidate should be warned there’s been no smoking gun in the thousands of pages released to date. What’s more, after multiple document dumps covered by the Wisconsin media, Walker’s responses to the investigations have been well-rehearsed at this point. Expect to hear the phrase “partisan witch hunt” when he’s asked about them and for Walker to point out two judges ruled in the second probe prosecutors didn’t have a case.
The caveat to that is the unknown. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in April in a case that will likely decide whether the second John Doe—into coordination between Walker’s campaign and conservative groups—could go forward, and a decision is expected sometime this summer.
Rick Wiley, executive director of Walker’s Our American Revival, suggested that political opponents would likely raise the issue behind the scenes in an attempt to bring it up without any fingerprints. But Wiley said the issue has been fully vetted in Wisconsin twice.
“We will be judged on what he has done in Wisconsin and what he can potentially do for the nation if he chooses to run for president,” Wiley said. “There will be fist fights, and there will be knife fights. But at the end of the day, I don’t think this will have an impact on the potential presidential primary.”


Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/02/scott-walker-campaign-problem-115563.html#ixzz3TKOu3tSA


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Wisconsin’s governor faces a lingering campaign probe back home. (Original Post) midnight Mar 2015 OP
I have zero hope that this Wisconsin Supreme Court will do the correct thing. yourout Mar 2015 #1
This is concerning. However a motion for those taking money from the groups being investigated midnight Mar 2015 #2
Conflict of interest? yourout Mar 2015 #3
Our Supreme Court here will do everything to protect Walker AllyCat Mar 2015 #4
Here are the wealthy elite that paid to put them in power. midnight Mar 2015 #5

yourout

(7,518 posts)
1. I have zero hope that this Wisconsin Supreme Court will do the correct thing.
Tue Mar 3, 2015, 10:53 AM
Mar 2015

I have never seen such a collection of corrupt toadies on the bench(3 exceptions).

midnight

(26,624 posts)
2. This is concerning. However a motion for those taking money from the groups being investigated
Tue Mar 3, 2015, 10:58 AM
Mar 2015

was submitted to the court. So I'm wondering how this will play out.

midnight

(26,624 posts)
5. Here are the wealthy elite that paid to put them in power.
Tue Mar 3, 2015, 03:00 PM
Mar 2015
http://scottwalkerwatch.com/john-doe-investigation/


American Crossroads – linked to Karl Rove and one of the main Recall funders for Walker are Texas homebuilder Bob Perry, a conservative activist and major funder of 527s like American Crossroads and Club For Growth who also bankrolled the nefarious “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” against John Kerry in 2004
Americans for Prosperity—Wisconsin – Charles and David Koch funded 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that’s “social welfare” mission protects its tax-exempt status, which it blatently violated with bus tours and other astroturf activities during Recall season
Friends of Scott Walker – funded mainly from large contributions from billionaires Richard DeVos, Diane Hendricks, Bob Perry, Jere Fabick, David Humphreys and others
League of American Voters – a Washington DC-based group funded by the Charles R. Lambe Foundation with original funding from Charles and David Koch with leadership tied to Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council
Republican Governors Association – linked to and largely funded by David Koch, formed a political action committee “Right Direction Wisconsin”
Republican Party of Wisconsin – with offices shared by Koch-funded John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, links are also tied to Americans for Prosperity
Wisconsin Family Action – Citizens for a Strong America gave almost a million dollars to this pro-life organization which may be involved in Americans for Prosperity (AFP)’s absentee mailing scheme since its address was the same as the one used by AFP’s “Absentee Ballot Application Processing Center”
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce – it manages a 501(c)4 political action committee “WMC Issues Council” spending over $2 million during Walker’s recall including producing political ads full of misinformation
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