According to Talking Points Memo, David Prosser held a press conference today and claimed victory in the race for WI Supreme Court Justice between himself and Assistant State Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg. This was a bit interesting since he already claimed "victory" just last Friday. So I wondered, when I heard there was another press conference today scheduled by the Prosser camp, why this was necessary. I assumed that this was simply more evidence of the annoying Republican need to rub it in to an opponent. Well, jump with me below the fold to find out what the Prosser bunch has in mind.
According to the TPM article, there was a second purpose to holding this press conference: to let everyone know that IF JoKlo's campaign asked for a recount, the Prosser Posse has their strategy all laid out. In fact, this appears to be a pre-emptive strike to get out there BEFORE JoKlo and her staff even request a recount. By WI law, they are legally entitled to do so given that the loss differential between the two candidates was .488% and the cut-off for a recount paid for by the state is .5%. Now, the recount is not "automatic" in that either candidate must request the recount and, again, since this race meets the less than .5% rule, the recount will be paid for by state and local governments.
Here's the first pre-emptive strike from the Prosser "Team":
Prosser left the Q&A to spokesman Brian Schimming and attorney Jim Troupis. "There is a strong enough win here, and for them to ask for a recount in any form will be enormously costly to the voters of this state," said Schimming. "There's no evidence there to suggest that a recount is gonna change the outcome."
Okay, so they're going to go the "nothing to see here, move on!" route accompanied by the "scream about costs" route. Tax-break "gifts" to corporations which were the first items Gov. Walker carried out after taking the oath of office in January weren't "costly" to the State--but a lawful election recount is. "Republican logic" defies real logic once again.
But then came this:
And for his part, Troupis said that the campaign was "Obviously prepared to address a number of legal issues," and would take any steps to prevent a "frivolous" recount from going forward.
Interesting. Really very interesting. They're "prepared to address a number of legal issues". And what might those be? Now, we can speculate until the cows come home (sorry, but that's a common saying here in Dairyland), but we don't know at this point what those "legal issues" might be. But, verrrry interesting that this got thrown out there. So, we'll wait to see what breaks tomorrow or Wednesday (I believe JoKlo has through Wednesday of this week to formally request the recount.) And also very interesting is how, for the Prosser Posse, a recount is "frivolous". Setting up the narrative for the idea that "this recount is a waste of time, or unnecessary, or even (gasp!), frivolous!" are we? Let the pearl clutching begin amongst the Walker junta IF JoKlo comes back with a "yes, I want a recount" answer.
One further note, I'd add to this situation---it has been noticeable that JoKlo's staff has been silent for over a week. Not a word from them. And I know her staff was asked this afternoon if they planned to ask for a recount and her spokesperson, said they hadn't made a decision yet.
And one final statement I just have to point out from Prosser. During the press conference he was touting his "win" and talking about he was such a great candidate:
"Voters want candidates for the Supreme Court to make an honest case for themselves, a positive case, based on experience, performance, judicial philosophy and independence," said Prosser. "This was a decisive election about judicial independence. The people realized that judges should be much more than partisan politicians who wear black robes. Judges should be impartial in theory and in fact. They should faithfully apply the law without fear, and without favor."
And then he slipped and said what I think was not a "slip" but what he really thinks:
Also during his remarks, Prosser thanked all his supporters, and all the voters he met who are committed to improving the state, "and to the advancement of conservative values as the way to address and ameliorate our many problems."
One final irony: guess where Prosser held his press conference today? In the State Assembly parlor! But David Prosser will be an "independent" WI Supreme Court Justice.