Apparently U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R) is eyeing a run at the Wisconsin governor's seat in 2006. Here's an e-mail he sent out to his fellow republicans a couple of days ago to get the ball rolling on his campaign. I actually voted for Mark Green this past November, simply because he was uncontested and I don't really have a beef with him. But there are several interesting statements made in this letter. I bolded the ones I found most interesting...

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Dear Republican Leader:

First, let me apologize for the impersonal nature of this email. You can expect a phone call from me soon, but I wanted to make sure I had a chance to let our party’s key leaders know I am moving toward launching a grassroots campaign to take back Wisconsin’s governorship from the out-of-touch Madison liberal who currently holds the job.

As we prepare to celebrate the historic second inauguration of President Bush, I can’t help but reflect on what a dramatic difference this president has already made on the history of our country.

There’s the obvious – we are more aware of the threats to our nation’s security and better prepared to deal with those who would destroy our way of life. But, don’t forget that because of President Bush our taxes are lower, we are expecting more from our schools and faith in God no longer disqualifies you from receiving a federal grant. As a member of the GOP leadership, I am proud to have worked closely with the President to move this bold agenda through Congress.

President Bush has succeeded in making America better because he has stood up for the principles he believes in, and has been fearless in offering our nation visionary ideas.

Contrast the President’s leadership with what Governor Doyle offers. The only “leadership” we see him demonstrate is that he is always the first to say “no.” “No” to freezing property taxes, “no” to putting controls on government spending, “no” to requiring photo IDs for voting, “no” to education reform, “no” to protecting the sanctity of marriage….and the list goes on and on. When he did say “yes,” it was to proposals like creating a new government loan program for illegal immigrants to buy homes.

Time and time again, Jim Doyle has shown he does not understand the way most of us in Wisconsin think. Time and time again, he has not demonstrated the kind of leadership we need to keep Wisconsin moving forward.

I know Wisconsin’s best days are ahead of us. We can finally get a handle on our state’s crushing tax burden. We can control government spending without affecting our quality of life. We can embrace and protect the values so many of us share – like faith and family, hard work and the sanctity of life.

We can aim higher. We must aim higher. But it won’t happen without bold leadership and big ideas – we have seen neither from Governor Doyle.

Over the next few weeks, I will be spending time talking to leaders like you to gain your insight on the governor’s race. I’ve known most of you for many years and know that I can expect honest input and solid advice. I hope you won’t be shy.

When I first ran for Congress in 1998, I was the only Republican in the country to defeat an incumbent Democrat. That was possible because I relied on solid grassroots support, hard work and an unwavering commitment to the conservative values we share. It’s that successful formula that I believe will put a Republican back in the governor’s office.

Whether you spend next Thursday in Washington or Wisconsin, I hope you take time to reflect on how much better America is going to be with four more years of George W. Bush in the White House.

Then, I hope you’ll join me in working to take back the governor’s office. Let’s aim higher, toward a brighter future for our state.

Best regards,

Congressman Mark Green
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I love the comment about Jim Doyle being an "out-of-touch Madison liberal". That's the same phrase that Republicans used trying to unseat Russ Feingold in the past election.

How can he say that Jim Doyle doesn't understand the way that most of us in Wisconsin think? Um...Doyle was elected as governor...in the same state that Russ Feingold was re-elected and that John Kerry carried. He makes it sound like Wisconsin is some conservative haven.

As far as the state's tax burden...Doyle balanced a $3.2 billion deficit without raising taxes. We can thank former governor Tommy Thompson (R) for creating that deficit for us.

Actually, a lot of the topics Green mentions sound exactly like those used by Republicans in the 2004 elections. I hope we're not in store for another dose of the same shit. But in a way, maybe I hope Republicans do rally around the same battle cries. Maybe people will be sick of it by then.

Sounds like a typical politician spewing his party's talking points. Doesn't seen to surprising to me.

That's funny.

Yep, typical talking points. Whatever it takes to herd the masses conviently.