Commentary Update for October October 21, 2002: Lennon/Priebe, Underheim/Genisio, Tom Perry, Madison Corruption Scandal

Dear Friends of Commentary:

The hottest political race race in Winnebago County this year is undoubtedly that between Republican Bill Lennon and Democrat Brad Priebe. Jim Mather and I interviewed both candidates today, and especially if you are in our viewing area and are still undecided about the vote, I would strongly urge you to watch the interviews. The show will debut on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. on Titan television and will air at 7 each remaining night of the week.

Another hot race is the 54th Assembly District, where incumbent Gregg Underheim faces Democrat Jim Genisio. After last week's League of Women Voters debate, Genisio sent an open letter to all news media asking them to hold Underheim accountable for a false statement in his campaign brochure. Here's what Oshkosh Northwestern Executive Editor Stew Rieckman says about it.

Another editorialist, Tom Perry of the Green Bay Press Gazette, is taking a view that ought to espoused by ALL Wisconsin media. Perry argues that all incumbents need to be voted out, even if they are not directly implicated in the scandals. Perry won't get any argument from me on that one.

Genisio and Underheim will debate the topic of Health Care tonight at UW Oshkosh.

The biggest political story in Wisconsin this week was the indictment on felony charges of the two most powerful politicians in Madison, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Chvala and Republican Speaker of the Assembly Scott Jensen. For what it's worth, here's my take on the scandal. I might also point out that, to my knowledge, I was the first "pundit" to call for the resignation of Chvala and Jensen, which I did in late October of 2001.

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is calling on the legislature to put in place WDC's Clean Sweep Package.

What is the rest of the country hearing about political corruption in Wisconsin? Here's the Washington Post coverage.

All the best,

-Tony