November 6, 2004: Headlines: COS - Tunisia: Politics: Election2006 - Doyle: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: If Karl Rove, President Bush's political brain, worked in Wisconsin, here's what might happen: Right-wing Republicans would push to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in late 2006 when first-term Gov. Jim Doyle is up for re-election. The move would bring out conservative types in droves who - as long as they're in the voting booth - would then cast a vote for the Republican running against Doyle, a liberal Dem from Madison
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November 6, 2004: Headlines: COS - Tunisia: Politics: Election2006 - Doyle: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: If Karl Rove, President Bush's political brain, worked in Wisconsin, here's what might happen: Right-wing Republicans would push to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in late 2006 when first-term Gov. Jim Doyle is up for re-election. The move would bring out conservative types in droves who - as long as they're in the voting booth - would then cast a vote for the Republican running against Doyle, a liberal Dem from Madison
If Karl Rove, President Bush's political brain, worked in Wisconsin, here's what might happen: Right-wing Republicans would push to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in late 2006 when first-term Gov. Jim Doyle is up for re-election. The move would bring out conservative types in droves who - as long as they're in the voting booth - would then cast a vote for the Republican running against Doyle, a liberal Dem from Madison
If Karl Rove, President Bush's political brain, worked in Wisconsin, here's what might happen: Right-wing Republicans would push to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in late 2006 when first-term Gov. Jim Doyle is up for re-election. The move would bring out conservative types in droves who - as long as they're in the voting booth - would then cast a vote for the Republican running against Doyle, a liberal Dem from Madison
What works for Bush may work in Wisconsin
Posted: Nov. 6, 2004
Spivak & Bice
Cary Spivak &
Dan Bice
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If Karl Rove, President Bush's political brain, worked in Wisconsin, here's what might happen:
Right-wing Republicans would push to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in late 2006 when first-term Gov. Jim Doyle is up for re-election. The move would bring out conservative types in droves who - as long as they're in the voting booth - would then cast a vote for the Republican running against Doyle, a liberal Dem from Madison.
A similar strategy worked just fine for Bush last week. The president benefited from increased turnout sparked by similar proposals being on 11 state ballots.
Hey, wait a minute, maybe Rove does work here - or, at least, devotees of his shrewd style. It turns out just such a prohibition is on track to make it on the general election ballot in Wisconsin sometime in the next two years.
The only question is, how quickly will the Republicans in the Legislature - fresh off increasing their majority - move to pass the measure?
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Specifically, do Republican lawmakers ride the tide and push it through ASAP, putting it up for a vote next year? Or do they wait to pass it and have it appear on the November 2006 ballot?
"If you want to get the double-whammy goal of getting a substantial change to the Constitution and having an impact on the highest office in the state, that's the way to do it," said one Capitol Republican.
"It's a wedge issue," said one moderate Republican. "It galvanizes people, and it puts Doyle in a horrible position."
Lawmakers already voted in favor of the proposed amendment earlier this year. But for it to make it onto the ballot, both houses must approve it again during the two-year legislative session that starts in January.
The proposal then would go before voters in the next general election, provided it is at least three months away.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that two Republican leaders are considering runs for statewide office in '06: Rep. Mark Gundrum, a driving force for the amendment, who is eyeing the attorney general's office; and Assembly Speaker John Gard, one of three prominent Republicans pondering a gubernatorial bid.
Think those two might want to aim for a November 2006 referendum?
An ally of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a key sponsor of the proposal, said lawmakers and their aides already are making the political calculations regarding the timing of the ballot issue.
"It would be a benefit to the Republican candidate for governor in '06," the Fitzgerald ally said of waiting to put it on the ballot. "Politically, there's a benefit to maybe later rather than sooner."
Doyle has lined up in opposition to the proposed amendment.
Doyle flack Dan Leistikow said the governor is opposed to gay marriage but doesn't favor an amendment banning it. The law already is clear on the issue, Leistikow said. Last year, Doyle used the same reasoning when he vetoed a similar bill.
"Wisconsin law already clearly says marriage is between a man and a woman," Leistikow said. "The only people who can't figure out a husband means the man and wife means the woman are Republicans in the Legislature."
Good line, but the proponents of the same-sex marriage ban aren't buying it.
Julaine Appling, of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, the group spearheading the charge, said she doesn't view Doyle as an ally.
She agreed that the ballot issue could help candidates who are in line with her group's conservative values. Asked if Doyle falls into that category, she said: "Looking at Doyle's past statements, no."
A Doyle adviser acknowledged the potential problem.
"The governor makes no bones that he opposes gay marriages," the adviser said.
"Hopefully, it gets dealt with ahead of time," the adviser added, "or it's a problem, and it becomes a bigger issue."
Talk about strange bedfellows - proponents of the ban also want to see it dealt with as quickly as possible. Their fear: Voters can be fickle, and today's hot issue can lose its sizzle in a single election cycle.
"Look at how attitudes have shifted in the last two, three years," the Capitol Republican said, noting that more insurance policies are covering domestic and gay partners. "Will people start to blanch at the thought that we're not only knocking down gay marriage but also civil unions?"
Appling said she didn't want to get into the political squabble, saying her group would love to have the measure on the ballot tomorrow. But, as long as it passes during the upcoming legislative session, she'll be grateful.
Said Appling: "I'll take it whenever we can get it."
From the Nov. 7, 2004, editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Story Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Tunisia; Politics; Election2006 - Doyle
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