Ben Manski Audio States Tom Barrett Is “Lesser Evil In This Race”

On Sunday night I posted on this blog  the words Ben Manski has used in the past to discuss Democrats.  Manski is running on the Green Party ticket for a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and is being challenged by Democratic nominee Brett Hulsey.  One of the quotes used in my post at that time was not able to be sourced.  The comment had to do with Tom Barrett. 

The line in the post was this one.

Speaking at the South Central Federation of Labor meeting, September 20, 2010 Manski uttered “Tom Barrett is the lesser evil in this race.”

Ben Manski then commented on my blog and stated this.

Re: Your statement that “Tom Barrett is the lesser evil in this race.”

Print a correction or prove — with documentary evidence — that I said that. I don’t believe for a moment that I ever said that, and many witnesses to the SCFL forum have confirmed that they don’t recall me saying that.

Tonight I have the audio source for my comment.  I have turned the audio statement by Ben Manski into a You Tube presentation to better allow the comment to be understood.

I trust this makes it clear that I aim in all ways to be accurate and complete on this blog.  While I am very opinionated,  I also respect my readers.  I do not post things that I do not know to be true, or  have on sound authority to be true, as was the case with this quote.

Ben Manski vs. Democrats, His Past Statements Not Forgotten

I have been amused this fall at how Ben Manski, who trashed Democrats over the years, is now asking for their votes come November.   In an attempt to win the 77th Assembly District, Manski seems to have forgotten the statements he made about the Democratic Party, and the candidates they placed before the voters .  Or perhaps I should say Manski is hoping the voters have forgotten those statements.  The Democratic voters to be more precise.

The real contest in this district is between Democratic nominee Brett Hulsey and Green Party nominee Masnki.  Voters on the near west side of Madison are being asked to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Spencer Black.  

My attention to this race is two-fold.  First I like Brett Hulsey.  Secondly, I am just perplexed how anyone who has made such incendiary remarks about the Democrats, such as Manski has, can then turn around and ask that party for their votes.  I have followed politics for years and seen just about everything.  But this assembly race intrigues me for the sheer audacity that Manski is using to try and get elected.

Whatever characteristic it takes to do that for an election is something I am pleased, quite frankly, not to posses.

The series of highly critical statements by Manski  about Democrats range from local leaders such as Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk all the way to presidential nominee Al Gore.   Manski’s words have blasted President Obama and even challenged Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee Tom Barrett.

“I don’t consider Dave and Kathleen progressive Democrats,”

It is when Manski likens President Bush and Al Gore together that everyone who still gets the required amount of oxygen should become angry. (On both sides of the political aisle!)

Votes for Bush or Gore are votes for continued corporate domination, and an abdication of political responsibility.

Speaking at the South Central Federation of Labor meeting, September 20, 2010 Manski uttered “Tom Barrett is the lesser evil in this race.”

The ironic turn of events from Manski blasting Democrats to becoming cozy and friendly to gain Democratic votes is even more interesting given the electorate’s mood.  The voters seem to want a different approach to politics.  Being too cute by half  this year to get a vote is not the way to win an election.  

When it was convenient for Manski to denounce Democrats he never missed a chance to find a microphone.  Now he needs Democratic votes and must hope that all those he dissed over the years have forgotten.

Or forgiven.

Neither is true if my off-the-cuff chats with folks in-line at stores or while walking among the fall leaves are any indication.   It seems to me that the voters are very aware Manski is either trying to paper over his past remarks, or believes he can pull one over on the voters.

Manski should not be allowed to achieve this.

Since Manski is always preaching about the need for a better democracy perhaps this assembly race might be a good time to show that words and past deeds matter.

Why Is Green Party Candidate Ben Manski Using Democratic President Obama In His Campaign Literature?

I was truly amused when a college student thrust into my hand a piece of literature Tuesday at the President Obama rally.    The face-up side to the half-page thick-stock  flyer had a picture of Obama and two quotations he recently gave at a political event.

But then the flyer turned into a Ben Manski for State Assembly piece, and when flipped over featured more on his race along with a photo of the candidate.

Wow!

Seems not too long ago Ben Manski was doing all he could to undermine the Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore to make sure Ralph Nader would be elected to the White House.  Seems the only thing America got was an election decided by the Supreme Court, and an invasion of Iraq.  Someone made a bad decision on who to back for the White House.  But now Manski is using  Democratic President Obama for his political advantage! 

Was President Ralph Nader not available for an endorsement?

The piece of political literature is an attempt to make voters think that Manski somehow has the backing of this president or more broad support among Democrats than he actually has.  There is NO mention that Manski is not a Democrat, nor that he is running on the Green Party ticket. 

This type of politics cheapens the credibility of Ben Manski.  Worse, this is not good for the political process that Manski claims needs fixing.