CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – There is a time at the end of each politician’s career when they become irrelevant. Maybe they know they’re about to lose the next election. Perhaps they’ve already lost and are lame ducks. In Tony Ever’s case, he’s already announced his retirement and all the attention has shifted to those who want to replace him.
How irrelevant is the governor? He reached an agreement with legislative republicans for a huge one-time increase in state education funding. It also included a small one-time income tax refund. The deal got blown up in the state senate, where the governor could not persuade a single democrat to vote for it.
Then the governor tried to inject himself into the upcoming democratic primary. Who did he endorse? Not Mandela Barnes or Sara Rodriguez – even though they were each his lieutendent governor running mates. Not Joel Brennan, the governor’s own administrative secretary. Instead Evers endorsed Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who consistently polls in the single numbers.
And Evers made the endorsement while he was on a trade trip to Africa; no side by side photos with his choice. Not even a video statement that the media could use.
Now, back in Wisconsin, the first question he was asked is whether he thinks Francesca Hong can win. His answer: “I (shaking his head ‘no’)… I’m gonna say this again, she spends a lot of time talking on Twitter… and all these other extraneous issues. This guy (pointing to David Crowley) is gonna get things done. Let’s get it going.”
The governor continues to ride a losing horse into the sunset. Francesca Hong, who is certain to be the party’s nominee, won’t invite Evers to campaign with her. He’s irrelevant. And she is too radical even for people in her own party.
Chris Conley
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