Reporting from the front lines of life. Reporter for WISC-TV. Citizen of the world.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Dispatch from the Barrett Camp
With the party not starting here in Milwaukee for a few more minutes the room is still sparse, but there’s little nervous energy. The sense would be the campaign is strongly positioned to win tonight against nearest rival Kathleen Falk.
When I asked him how tightly the 17% lead Barrett has in the polls might hold, Phil Walzak, communications director for the campaign told me, “We’ll let the people determine the true outcome instead of prognosticate, I think we’ve seen a lot of energy and excitement for Tom’s campaign both in polls and on the trail.”
In 2010 Barrett was surrounded by speculation his heart wasn’t in the race, so I asked Walzak about that too. The campaign has obviously changed its tone and positioned its candidate as a fighter for Wisconsin.
“The voters of Wisconsin have so much more information now than they did in 2010 on what this guy, Walker, is about and what he stands for and I think people of Wisconsin are waking up to walker’s leadership style means.”
As for fights, the physical one Barrett broke up outside the State Fair in 2010 has gotten little play, much like the last time his name was on a ballot. Clearly though, the campaign hopes he comes out swinging tonight.
There are many reasons to never give up.
If you click this box (which masquerades as a giant link, but this tumblr theme doesn’t make that terribly obvious) you’ll see a couple great ones.
Terrifying images out of Texas.
Tornadoes touched down in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area on Tuesday, tossing tractor trailer trucks into the air and grounding all planes in the area.
All planes were grounded at Dallas-Fort Worth International airport because of reports of storms and tornadoes, American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said.
Dallas-Fort Worth airport spokesman David Magana said officials were trying to protect passengers from glass windows by moving them into stairwells and restrooms.
“We are sheltering passengers at the moment,” said David Magana, a spokesman for DFW International Airport.
READ MORE: Tornadoes reported in Dallas area, planes grounded
Vote for Education
Tomorrow is not just Wisconsin’s Presidential Primary, there are several important local elections in many part of the state. In Dane there is a judicial election and county board races. In Madison, there’s an important and heated school board race on the ballot.
I hope you’ll make voting a priority. Education is critical, so if you haven’t yet, read up on the candidates before you head to the polls. Here are four profiles of the candidates in the race I did two weeks ago.
Arlene Silveira v. Nichelle Nichols
Whoever you decide on, if you live in Madison, please make voting in this race a priority. Educating our children is vital for our future.
Teachers can be gateways to greatness. I got a chance to catch this story tonight and it is a must see. In the classroom and in life, sometimes it’s all in how you react. I feel so fortunate to have had so many great teachers.
Why colonoscopies matter
Working on a story today about why people often don’t, but should get colonoscopies. Just Monday a UW doctor told me for people who experience these kind of symptoms, it’s usually too late. Our thoughts to Wade Hayes and his family, and our thanks for him having the courage to talk about it.
(this is a link to a CNN story by the way, click this box and it will take you there)
Where I’m speaking this afternoon. What should I tell the students about TV News?
