The Best Offense is a Great...Opposition?

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate needs to keep talking to help further advance the prospects of Scott Walker’s gubernatorial campaign. Here are bits of Tate’s brilliance over the past several days since the recent TEA party at Milwaukee’s Lakefront, presented in three movements:

I. Attack Attendees

"These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities
that frankly don't believe in this country," Tate said. "They don't want to see
more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don't want clean
air and water. They fundamentally don't understand how the American government,
economy and capitalism work." (Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

II. Attack Scott Walker (emphasis mine)

Scott Walker joined right-wing extremists in
Milwaukee on Saturday to participate in a hateful, fear-based
rally aimed at preventing progress for Wisconsin families. Walker was
joined by right-wing commentator Michelle Malkin and known tax cheat Joe
“The Plumber” Wurzelbacher at the rally, which was sponsored by corporate-backed Americans for Prosperity.

“Scott Walker’s open association with radical,
right-wing extremists further demonstrates the divisiveness of his
politics,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate. “While Democrats
in Wisconsin and across the country have debated important issues in a civil
manner, Walker and others on the right have attempted to turn the debate into a
shouting match.”

Although organizers claimed the protest was peaceful, one man
was injured and taken to the hospital [Editor's note: the man was injured
and taken into custody after attempting to assault an officer]. Other
protestors used scare tactics, name-calling and false claims of socialism to get
their point across. “Wisconsin has a history of open and honest debate,” said
Tate. “The fact that Scott Walker would endorse this behavior should be a clear
sign to voters across Wisconsin that Walker is too extreme to represent
them.”

III. Beg For Money

Fellow Democrats,

Over the weekend I was asked to comment on the self described
“tea baggers” who held an angry mob gathering in Milwaukee.

Here is what I said: "These are extremist elements
pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don't believe in this
country. They don't want to see more people have access to quality affordable
health care; they don't want clean air and water. They fundamentally don't
understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work."

I meant what I said, and I'm not afraid to say it
again.

Just because you throw the biggest temper tantrum doesn't mean
you can silence the majority of Americans who want fundamental change in this
country.

History is riddled with examples of vocal fringe groups that
have risen to oppose progress and success. From the red-baiting McCartyhyites to
the Know-Nothings and the KKK, we have seen this story unfold many times in the
past. Fueled by ignorance, racism and intolerance, these groups have done
everything in their power to obstruct progress – often resorting to intimidation
and violence.

We will not be intimidated, and we won't back
down.

This moment is too important. The American people voted for
change in November, and our President is fighting to implement that change. We
will not sit idly by while these extremists pretend to be mainstream Americans.
Their views couldn't be any more out of touch with average, working
people.

One sign at the protest in Milwaukee over the weekend
read “Obama, Osama: Both bombed the American people,” while
right-wing, anti-worker pundit Michelle Malkin told those gathered “I've never
been so proud in my lifetime to be part of this angry mob.”

What do Wisconsin Republicans think of this extremist
rhetoric? As Republican candidate for Governor Scott Walker said over the
weekend, “I'm with them.”

I have a message for Scott Walker and his extremist
allies: You will find out soon enough that Wisconsin is not with
you.

You and I know that hate speech and misinformation isn't what
Wisconsin families need, and it's not what America needs.

We need fundamental change in this country. And with your help
the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will continue to fight back against this
right-wing extremism.

Your gift of $5, $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can afford
will help us cut through the incendiary rhetoric and move Wisconsin
forward.

Together, we can rise above the scare tactics, temper
tantrums, name-calling, and false claims to bring about the change we
need.

Sincerely,

Mike Tate

Chair, Democratic Party of Wisconsin

……….

Please keep talking, Mike. Please? The best part is the sophomoric use of “tea baggers” as if he is not giggling like a middle-school aged boy. Then again, he is 30, and in Democrat years, that’s about the equivalent.