All In
I wanted you to be among the first to know that, after serious deliberation and reflection, I will be a candidate for Governor.
This was not a decision I made lightly. I love this state and I care deeply about our future. That's why I ran for governor in 2010 -- even though I knew it was an uphill battle. We ran a strong and energetic campaign fueled by your support and the support of thousands across Wisconsin.
In the end, Russ Feingold and I both fell short in a Tea Party wave. But we can all take pride that we took the fight to Scott Walker, and the past 15 months have shown why that fight is so important.
Scott Walker came into the governor's office promising to create 250,000 jobs, and to bring us together. Instead, he divided our state like never before and presided over a Wisconsin economy that last year lost more jobs than any state in the country.
He 'dropped the bomb,' as he said, and ended 50 years of labor peace and worker protections -- something he never said he'd do during the 2010 campaign. I know, because I was there. As governor, I will fight to restore collective bargaining rights, because it's the right thing to do, and it's necessary to heal Wisconsin.
And Gov. Walker gutted education, cut women's health, and diverted millions of dollars intended for Wisconsin victims of Wall Street foreclosure fraud to patch a hole in his budget.
In response to this unanticipated assault on Wisconsin values, the people united and fought back. Hundreds of thousands made their voices heard at the Capitol. The protests turned into a movement last summer, and two GOP state senators who rubberstamped Walker's agenda were recalled.
And nearly 1 million people from all across Wisconsin signed their name to trigger a recall election of Gov. Walker, hold him accountable, and restore our Wisconsin values.
We need to bring our state back. Wisconsin needs a governor who is focused on jobs, not ideology; a leader committed to bringing our state together and healing political wounds, not pitting people against each other and catering to the special interests.
This is the governor I will be for the people of Wisconsin.
Starting tomorrow, I will crisscross the state, taking our message directly to the people in every corner and working everyday to restore our values and move Wisconsin forward. With you standing with me, I know we will prevail.
Thank you for all of your help and support.
Your Friend,
Tom Barrett
Posted by April Burda at 03:15PM on June 05 2012
Good Luck Tom! We are behind ya all the way:-)
Posted by Beth Rayn at 12:33PM on June 05 2012
I hope you win, I’m praying for you to win!
Posted by Beth Rayn at 12:33PM on June 05 2012
I hope you win, I’m praying for you to win!
Posted by April at 12:42AM on June 04 2012
Ive been here since 2010 and Ive been struggling like crazy. Jobs are the hardest to find due to Scott Walker being governor. He favors what he favors and it is ridiculous, how he turned down health care for the poor, also a medicaid bill, taking away from poor schools that need funding and from their employees. There’s so much more. We need him out and you in Mr. Barrett! You are for the people that are in need of Jobs and Health Care and for our Veterans. We need more caring individuals like you. God Bless You and Your Family and may we come out with great results once you are Governor. If anyone knows Wisconsin, its you Mr. Barrett. Thank You.
Posted by Barb at 09:51PM on June 02 2012
If your elected Governor. I know you can fix all of the mistakes that Governor Walker has caused for Wisconsin. I am voting for you on election day. Because I know you will do what you say you will do.
Posted by BENISTON RUPERT at 03:03AM on June 02 2012
I remember Tom Barrett approaced me in the lobby of the Milwaukee County Zoo Conference Center on Election Day in 1992; he said to me, “i’m Congressman Tom Barrett.” He asked me who I was and I told him “I’m Ben Rupert with the Clinton campaign.” Next he asked me "Do you want to come and get in this picture with me?’ I said to him “Sir I’m not worthy of this kind of attention.” He gently grabbed me by my left arn with his right arm and said, Nah, Don’t worry about it." In less than 30 seconds I was in a picture with then Congressman Tom Barrett and some other individuals (2 quick snap shots). After that, he left the lobby and as he letft, he waved at me and said, “tt’s good seeing you.” I still haven’t gotten that moment; that’s why I voted for him for Mayor of Miwaukee in 2004 and why I’m going to vote for Tom Barrett for Governor on June 5, 2012. One last note: Get a copy of The Milwaukee/Sentinel dated May 28, 2012, page 9A of the Opinion Section and read the letter entitled, “Barrett is the right choice” submitted by Janice Gibeau of Waunakee, WI. .
Posted by Mary Zong at 09:02PM on June 01 2012
I became a citizen just so I could recall Scott Walker and vote for you! Thank you for standing up for us.
Posted by allen moody at 04:46PM on June 01 2012
To my dear Wisconsinites,
I stand before you humbled as I have never before been so humbled. We are at the cusp of a great moment in history. A moment that challenges our hearts and our minds. A moment that beckons to us to decide whether we are the masters of our future and fate or the servants of the multi-national corporate oligarch.
Today I speak to you that I do not support the fate or future where the multi-national corporations control our destiny and future. Rather I stand here to tell you that I will do what is in my power to protect and defend our inalienable rights as citizens to collectively market our abilities to provide services and labor at a fair and just cost. I stand here to tell you that I will do what is in my power to support and defend the citizens of this state to collectively protest any unjust behavior of those who would trample our rights of the First Ammendment. I stand here to tell you that we have made mistakes in the past, that we have over-extended our ability to pay for the services we wish to provide and that I will work hard to balance our budget, to make our government function within its means, and most of all to make government protect those who stand defenseless against the marauding multi-national corporations who exist only to extract what wealth they can at the expense of those who cannot stand and fight for themselves. In total, I stand here to support and fight for ALL Wisconsinites for a better life and a just life based on the principals stated in our founding father’s documents “the Decleration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America.”
What does Scott Walker stand for? I do not know completely because our experience with Governor Walker is that he is deceitful and unwilling to tell us his true intentions. We saw this completely and totally soon after he was elected when he immediately went after the Teacher’s Union and government employees to eliminate any form of collective bargaining. Did he tell us of his intentions? No. He did not.
As a father and parent I taught my children this one rule and I carry this rule dear to my heart. To withhold information that may benefit you in the future and hurt you if known now is nothing more than a lie. To withhold prior intent so that you may say you are not lying is deceit and deceit is nothing more than lying. Scott Walker withheld important information of his intentions that if known would surely resulted in his losing the election. If people had known of his intentions to eliminate collective bargaining, to treat the police and fire departments different than the teachers and government workers, he would not have been elected Governor of Wisconsin. Because these intentions are not what the people of Wisconsin believe in and have fought for the last 100 years. These are the intentions of a puppet controlled by the multi-national corporations whose intent is to make more money off the backs of the middle class and those unable to defend themselves. In short, Scott Walker is a puppet who is abusing the rights and people of Wisconsin to further his own personal gain.
Do you not believe me? Then what more can we say about the elected representatives of Wisconsin who did Scott Walker’s bidding only to be left hanging in the wind when the recall elections came around. Did Scott Walker care? Did Scott Walker go on record stating that these individuals had sacrificed there own political careers for the good of Wisconsin? Absolutely not. Instead they were left hanging in the breeze while he continued to sit in the Governor’s office reaping the accolades of the millionaires and billionaires counting there fortunes while the common folks of Wisconsin lost the right of collective bargaining, health care and the basic right of a full stomach at the end of the day. Scott Walker cares nothing about the average Wisconinite. He cares only about his political ambitions.
What future do we have if Scott Walker survives this recall? Yes, he has been a model Governor while the anvil of recall hangs over his head, but, we have seen the true Scott Walker and his a deceitful and lying politician interested in only his personal gain at the expense of whoever gets in his way.
A vote for Scott Walker is a vote for the multi-national corporations who care nothing about the people of Wisconsin and care only about their profits at the expense of the middle class. Trust me, this is class warfare, and to deny this is to show you are not paying attention.
Well, I, Tom Barrett AM paying attention and I ask you today to vote not for a deceitful and lying puppet Governor, but to vote for a man who will stand for the rights of the common man, who will fight the influences of multi-corporations and seek that our economy supports not only the richest of our country, but, most importantly support the lowliest of our people in that we ALL support our country to be the best it can be today and in the future.
A vote for me, Tom Barrett, is a vote for America and all that is right for America.
Posted by Borah at 04:35PM on June 01 2012
I am a MD resident, and watched with horror what Walker did to your state – it was truly unbelievable. Walker was the sheep that was elected, and then became the wolf. My husband and I were seriously considering moving to Madison; not with this governor. I am proud of WI voters getting the recall to a vote; I just gave $25 to help with that effort. Go Wisconsin democrats!
Posted by Genie at 12:06PM on June 01 2012
I don’t live anywhere near Wisconsin but I realize how important this election can be in order to begin a breath of fresh air that is sorely needed around the country. I hope people will realize how devastating the so-called Tea Party conservative ideology has been for us all except the top 1%.
Posted by Jennifer at 11:40PM on May 31 2012
I am a Catholic Democrat. I am always under tremendous pressure to vote Republican. I strongly believe no decrease in the amount of abortions will ever be accomplished without helping the poor and those people who fall through the cracks. It is not compassionate to impose anti abortion legislation on people without addressing the reasons why they feel they must take that drastic step. I feel the Democrats are more in tune with the needs of the people and it is disturbing that the number of people in poverty is increasing in our country.
I voted early for Mr. Barrett.
Posted by Joan Lindeman at 10:28PM on May 31 2012
As a Minnesota resident, I take pride in our neighboring community of Wisconsin. Please continue your neighbor-to-neighbor campaign that will restore a healthy, positive community in our Midwestern region. Thank you!
Posted by Greg Lund at 09:49PM on May 31 2012
I’m behind you 100%. These horrifying Republicans MUST be stopped before they completely ruin this country.
Posted by Nancy Sova at 02:03AM on May 31 2012
Thank you and we support your honesty! Hopefully Scott Walker will be ousted one way or another – legally!
Posted by Nicole Schueler at 11:30PM on May 29 2012
I am 21 and have never cared to vote. I would like you to know that this will be my first time voting and I will be voting for you.
Posted by janice nowling at 09:41PM on May 29 2012
I was born in Wisconsin but live in Minneapolis. I may not be eligible to vote in Wisconsin but have been following the recall and look forward to helping out with my presence and support.
Posted by Ray Maniaci at 01:02AM on May 29 2012
Look up bill SB202. Walker is taking away our Veterans right to get their jobs back when they return from active duty. What a shame. He he going completely nuts.
Posted by Ray Maniaci at 01:02AM on May 29 2012
Look up bill SB202. Walker is taking away our Veterans right to get their jobs back when they return from active duty. What a shame. He he going completely nuts.
Posted by Jim Southern at 11:31AM on May 28 2012
Here in Ohio, we are dealing with a governor, in John Kasich, who attempted to do the same thing that Scott Walker did in Wisconsin, break the back of the public sector unions. We used the power of the referendum to defeat SB 5, and the progressive community here in Ohio support what you are doing in the Badger state. Get out the vote and send that corporate puppet Walker out of Madison with his tail between his legs! Good luck, Wisconsin!
Posted by Kay Brockman-Mederas at 10:25AM on May 28 2012
Being a Catholic also, it is disturbing how the Right to Life organization is supporting Walker, who has demonstrated that he is NOT for families. We need all the votes we can get to defeat Walker. A speech like JFK may swing some voters. God be with us all!
