Republican candidates speak on job creation at fundraiser

Four Republican U.S. Senate or gubernatorial candidates spoke to more than 170 people at the Racine County Republican Party's biggest annual fundraiser, Lincoln Day Dinner, at the Racine Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, both running for governor, spoke about ways they would bring jobs to the state.

Walker, the only speaker to receive a standing ovation, said he would practice three "common sense" principles: Don't spend more than what you have, smaller government is better and people create jobs.

He also addressed his "rather aggressive" pledge earlier this week about creating 250,000 new jobs, which he was criticized for by Democrats and Republicans alike. Citing examples during his eight years as county executive when he cut debt or introduced fiscally conservative budgets, Walker said he makes that "bold but realistic" pledge with the same commitment he had when running for county executive in 2002 and promised to not raise property taxes.

Racine Alderman Greg Helding said he was most struck by Walker, who talked of holding the line on taxes at the county level and of duplicating those results at the state level.

Neumann, returning to politics after a decade in the private sector, talked of building Wisconsin to be "globally competitive" to bring jobs to the state. The gubernatorial candidate who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1998 said the reason he's not running for Senate is because he wants to build a model of "how to get the job done" in Wisconsin for the rest of the country.

Neumann, who represented Racine County while in Congress, said he would keep government spending under control to cut taxes, improve education to attract jobs and fight regulations that stifle businesses while preserving the environment.

Madison-area developer Terrence Wall and Watertown businessman Dave Westlake, both seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, also spoke, criticizing incumbent Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.

The keynote speaker, Mark Block, state director of Americans for Prosperity, talked of engaging people in politics, touting a January Tea Party in Caledonia which drew thousands.

"Tonight was a great example of the enthusiasm and energy that surrounds conservative politics in Racine County - we had the largest crowd in probably half a dozen years," said state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia. "It's about getting people involved and making sure we remember that the stakes are huge in November."

The primary is Sept. 14. The general election is Nov. 2.