Gubernatorial candidate says employers are 'scared' (Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter)

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By Charlie Mathews
Walker wants to lead 'common sense majority'

MANITOWOC - New issues have arisen in the race to succeed Gov. Jim Doyle, Republican candidate Scott Walker said this week in a visit to the Lakeshore area for votes and financial support.

"The high-speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison drives people absolutely wild, including me," Milwaukee's county executive said before meeting with members of the business community at Perkins Restaurant.

Doyle and Tom Barrett, Democratic Party gubernatorial frontrunner and Milwaukee mayor, have expressed support for the $823 million federal proposal.

"Most people around the state view this as money that could be better spent on roads or bridges . not on a rail line the vast majority won't ever use," said Walker, who touts crafting a county budget with no property tax increase each of the past six years.

"These are very perilous times," Walker said. "Even if their own job is stable, many are concerned about job security for their wife or kids.

"Employers are scared not just about the economy but the government and what it might do to them, like health-care mandates," said Walker, 42, who served in the state Assembly for four terms before capturing the county executive position in a special election in 2002.

Another change since Walker began his campaign a year ago is the size of the state deficit, he said.

"The budget is worse . now the gap is $2.4 billion," Walker said of the deficit he would inherit if he wins the September GOP primary - former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann is his primary opponent - and defeats Milwaukee's mayor in November.

Walker said state politics has become a "blood sport" but that he "can work with a common sense majority" across party lines.

"It is not about whether you are ideologically right or left but do you know the difference between right and wrong . most people just want leadership," Walker said.

Among those listening to Walker's appeal for support was John Niedermeyer, one of the owners of Towsley's, a promotional products company in Manitowoc.

"I'm upset at the Republican Party because they have not defined who they are and drawn a line in the sand to hold to conservative moral, economic and social values," Niedermeyer said.

"Wisconsin has become a tough place to do business . I lose bids because we have a high state tax that is hurting the state and hurting jobs," Niedermeyer said.

Owner of the Vacuum and Sewing Center and county board chairman, Paul Tittl said he supports Walker as the candidate who said he can "clean up a mess."

Walker succeeded former Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament who retired, rather than facing a recall election, in the wake of outrage over county pension packages.

Tittl, who ran unsuccessfully against Bob Ziegelbauer in 2006 for the Assembly 25th District seat, would prefer to have Neumann challenge U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who is up for election to his fourth term in November.

"Neumann talks about a lot of federal issues where Walker, as a county executive, is affected by and deals with state issues," Tittl said.

http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100424/MAN0101/4240453/1984/MANlife