Monkeyleg
Member.
Democrat Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser issued the press release below, calling on Republican Representative John Townsend to stick to his original opposition to the CCW bill.
I find it really interesting that Kreuser would go after a Republican this close to the override vote. It makes me wonder if the two Democrats we're worried about--Van Akkeren and Steinbrink--are either not talking to the Democrat leadership either, or if they've told Kreuser they're going to vote for the bill.
Anybody with a clean crystal ball, please chime in.
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MADISON – With the final vote of the legislative session on the concealed carry bill approaching, Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha) called on Fond du Lac Republican Rep. John Townsend to renew his original position and vote against allowing concealed weapons to be carried in Wisconsin.
“Last session John Townsend made his true feelings about concealed weapons known, but this session he seems to have lost his convictions. Everyone who knows John Townsend knows that he does not support putting more guns on the streets. Unfortunately, once again he may be forced to vote according to his leader’s orders, instead of his own conscience,” said Kreuser.
During the 2003 – 2005 legislative session the concealed carry bill, SB 214, was approved by both houses, vetoed and that veto was upheld by the State Assembly. When the Assembly first considered SB 214, Rep. Townsend joined 32 Democrats and 1 other Republican in voting “no.” However, when the veto override occurred, Townsend and the other Republican, then Rep. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), both caved to their party and the National Rifle Association and voted against their districts and in favor of concealed carry.
This session, a much publicized package of compromises introduced at the last minute garnered enough Assembly support to potentially override Governor Doyle’s veto. However, hours after that package was adopted one of the bills sponsors, Sen. Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire), announced that he would work in future legislative sessions to “roll back” that very same agreement. In fact, Zien told the Associated Press that once the bill becomes law, “we’ll tinker with it.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 12/14/05, Appleton Post Crescent 12/2/05]
“John Townsend needs to have the intestinal fortitude to vote his conscience and his district, which is two to one against concealed carry, and not be a puppet of the Assembly Speaker. Fond du Lac should want an independent thinking legislator from their district and Tuesday they will know if it is time for a change,” said Rep. Kreuser. “If concealed carry becomes law it may be because John Townsend wouldn’t stand up for his convictions.”
I find it really interesting that Kreuser would go after a Republican this close to the override vote. It makes me wonder if the two Democrats we're worried about--Van Akkeren and Steinbrink--are either not talking to the Democrat leadership either, or if they've told Kreuser they're going to vote for the bill.
Anybody with a clean crystal ball, please chime in.
******
MADISON – With the final vote of the legislative session on the concealed carry bill approaching, Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha) called on Fond du Lac Republican Rep. John Townsend to renew his original position and vote against allowing concealed weapons to be carried in Wisconsin.
“Last session John Townsend made his true feelings about concealed weapons known, but this session he seems to have lost his convictions. Everyone who knows John Townsend knows that he does not support putting more guns on the streets. Unfortunately, once again he may be forced to vote according to his leader’s orders, instead of his own conscience,” said Kreuser.
During the 2003 – 2005 legislative session the concealed carry bill, SB 214, was approved by both houses, vetoed and that veto was upheld by the State Assembly. When the Assembly first considered SB 214, Rep. Townsend joined 32 Democrats and 1 other Republican in voting “no.” However, when the veto override occurred, Townsend and the other Republican, then Rep. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), both caved to their party and the National Rifle Association and voted against their districts and in favor of concealed carry.
This session, a much publicized package of compromises introduced at the last minute garnered enough Assembly support to potentially override Governor Doyle’s veto. However, hours after that package was adopted one of the bills sponsors, Sen. Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire), announced that he would work in future legislative sessions to “roll back” that very same agreement. In fact, Zien told the Associated Press that once the bill becomes law, “we’ll tinker with it.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 12/14/05, Appleton Post Crescent 12/2/05]
“John Townsend needs to have the intestinal fortitude to vote his conscience and his district, which is two to one against concealed carry, and not be a puppet of the Assembly Speaker. Fond du Lac should want an independent thinking legislator from their district and Tuesday they will know if it is time for a change,” said Rep. Kreuser. “If concealed carry becomes law it may be because John Townsend wouldn’t stand up for his convictions.”
I used up all my sick and vacation time already on my kids, (four fevers, four cases of the runs, and eight ear infections....) but I'll be calling tomorrow and there with you all at the Capitol in spirit.