[img_assist|nid=55501|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=162|height=225]Amid much speculation about who will run for governor on the Democratic ticket in the recall election against Scott Walker, the largely unaddressed but other important question is: Who will pair off with that eventual nominee for the office of lieutenant governor?
This may seem inconsequential, but I think the pairing will be unusually important. I don't see an ideal candidate for govenor, although certainly there are many capable politicians out there. But whatever that person's strengths and weaknesses, the nominee for lieutenant governor will have unusual influence, compared to normal gubernatorial elections.
For one thing, we will be able to compare that person not only to Walker but to Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch. So that person should strongly balance the ticket (it's not really a ticket, legally, but it surely is in political terms). Also, that person probably shouldn't be anything like Kleefisch in appearance and demeanor and obviously should have a much bigger skill set.
Another consideration: Democrats and progressives will want to bolster both the vote of rank-and-file labor and the vote of minorities, despite the potential for some voter backlash. I'm not endorsing anyone here and I have no inside information about who's going to do what, but let's think this through strategically.
While a woman like Kathleen Falk would make a great contrast in a head-on matchup with Walker, it's probably unwise to have a woman contest the seat of the recalled Kleefisch. A good alternative might be someone like Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin. ... the African American firefighters of the City of Madison Fire Department.
Yeah, Mitchell would be attacked by the far right (i.e., the Wisconsin Republican Party) for being both a union "big boss" and -- horrors! -- a black man. But he'd also be a strong symbol for many other Wisconsin voters, and he's articulate and youthful. Do not discount the image of Walker as being young and vigorous -- for people unfamiliar with the issues, that probably was worth a few percentage points in the final outcome.
That's my two and a half cents, adjusted for inflation. What's your ideal, and -- more important -- what's likely to be achievable in the nominating process?