Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Sheridan Defends Private Life After ‘Coup Attempt’

Read Feb 1, 2010 update to this story here.

There is clearly more to this story than sunshine and roses.  Most of the problems that arise from these types of stories are not so much the facts of the case, but the attempt to hide from them.   The intrigue that this story alludes to keeps it alive.  Granted WIBA radio did a half-(butt) job in writing and reporting this story.  If they were going to put out a short story they also should have filled in more of the facts, such as when the quote was made by Speaker Sheridan, and what the background issue was that brought the caucus together.  But putting aside  the journalistic shortfall, there is no debate about the fact that a full and frank disclosure, whatever the facts may be, is the best political route to moving on…..for the entire Democratic Caucus.

Political intrigue at our Capitol yesterday as majority Democrats in the state Assembly met behind closed doors…apparently over a coup attempt against Speaker Mike Sheridan.  But Sheridan, a former UAW leader from Janesville, denies being insecure, “No, not at all.  In fact I felt a tremendous amount of support.”  What’s behind this? A rumor that the 51-year-old Sheridan has been having an affair with a lobbyist, “What I do outside this building you know, is my private life, and I’m not going to be talking about these things.”  Sheridan and his wife are going through a divorce.

The Chicago Tribune printed an AP story and started their report this way.

Democratic Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan on Thursday accused opponents of increasing payday loan regulation of starting rumors that he was going to be removed from power.

Sheridan said he does not intend to resign as speaker and no vote was taken in a closed-door meeting of Democratic Assembly members earlier Thursday to remove him.

Democratic Assembly members talked about the rumors, Sheridan said in an interview in his office shortly after the meeting ended. But he said those rumors started with lobbyists. He did not say who, specifically.