September 22, 2014

"I think if you're hyping the campaign about how the plan is the centerpiece, how it's based, kind of rubbing our nose in it, in the fact she went to Harvard Business School..."

"... somehow implying that means her work is superior to anyone else's here in the state, and then you find out that portions of it were taken from elsewhere without attribution, I think those are very serious issues."

Said Scott Walker, campaigning today on the issue of the lifted blocks of text found in Mary Burke's vaunted jobs plan.
For their part, Democrats pushed back by charging that Walker has sometimes used slogans popularized by others, such as "Open for Business" and the "Wisconsin Comeback." The "Wisconsin Comeback," a phrase frequently used by Walker in his re-election campaign manager, comes from the "American comeback" campaign of the Republican Governors Association. The phrase is used by a few other GOP governors such as Sam Brownback," who has talked in his re-election campaign about the "Kansas comeback."
So he used a word others have used?! "Comeback." Like he's supposed to put everything, literally, in own words. Here's the old George Carlin bit — "Do you have your own words?"



A great campaign slogan by the way: Nic flot flarney quando floooo! Or better make that: Cin tolf yenralf odnauq oooolf. Seriously, put it in your own words.

72 comments:

chickelit said...

Scott Walker is welcome to my catchy phrase: "Bland Ambition" It captures his non-showy, competent vision of how to publicly serve.

RecChief said...

"I think if you're hyping the campaign about how the plan is the centerpiece, how it's based, kind of rubbing our nose in it, in the fact she went to Harvard Business School..."
"... somehow implying that means her work is superior to anyone else's here in the state, and then you find out that portions of it were taken from elsewhere without attribution, I think those are very serious issues."

This is exactly the approach that Walker should be taking with this. It's not necessarily about the cut and paste job by Schnurer. It's her assertion that her background enabled her to come up with such a fabulous plan, only to find out that the centerpiece of her campaign was neither a product of her business acumen, nor even of her own. Everything else is fodder for shallow thinkers.

Mark said...

Mary Burke, soon to get second billing after a puppet show.

Jim S. said...

Heh. Reminds me of this.

Meade said...

Well-observed, RecChief.

Ann Althouse said...

@RecChief

He's also mobilizing anti-elitism. Her side loves to say that he didn't graduate from college, and he's countering with "she went to Harvard Business School" like it's a bad thing.

Titus said...

Harvard Business School vrs High School Graduate and college drop out. A perfect case in pube vs tard.

I could really care a less about who wins the Wisconsin governor election because Wisconsin is like where I came from never to return....like most cheeseheads who are smart fleed immediately. I have met so many Fairlylands out here in the peoples republic. Dickyville, Monroe, Oconomoc, Gays Mills, Menasha-the list is endless. We all talk about are fondness for Wisconsin but none of us would ever think of going back.

Even Althouse's sons left ASAP. But did one of them go to Texas-blasphemy.

Wisconsin is not a destination for STEM peeps and those that support them.

tits.

I still like Wisconsin though....to visit.

Meade said...

"and he's countering with "she went to Harvard Business School" like it's a bad thing."

Not quite. What he's saying is: "she went all the way through Harvard... for THIS?"

Ann Althouse said...

@Meade

I understand that interpretation, which is more literal, but at the same time, I think it works and was intended to work as a nudge to ordinary people: See? These snooty people with their fancy schools, they like to act like they know so much more than we do, but they really don't. And: We're the salt of the earth here in Wisconsin, and when we need some higher education, we go to the University of Wisconsin.

garage mahal said...

Nice play for the meat-head vote. What a garbage human being.

chickelit said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
chickelit said...

I'm all for knocking Harvard in general. They used to produce consistently good product but they've gotten lazy and sloppy. One symptom is that Harvard culture is monolithically liberal-democrat. How can such partisanship be a good thing? I mean that quite sincerely in view America's whole political history. Monopartisanship = bad.

Ted Cruz will shake this up a bit (hopefully).

Meade said...

Oh we are not either the salt of the earth here in Wisconsin. The salt of the earth never call themselves the salt of the earth.

Ann Althouse said...

@Meade

Yeah, that was me putting it in my own words. Paraphrasing plebes.

Meade said...

It's plagiarizing turtles all the way down.

Meade said...

Now turn off your blog and come to bed. Say goodnight, Gracie.

Ann Althouse said...

Because it's just nuts for a man and his wife to be talking to each other -- 10 feet apart in real life -- in the comments of a blog.

Ann Althouse said...

"There, I responded to you," I said.

chickelit said...

Salts of the earth should include magnesium and calcium. Salts of the sea are of course sodium and potassium. When lithium was discovered it was so named because it was found (surprisingly) on dry land and not in the sea.

Meade said...

Smart girl. You must be from Harvard.

Gusty Winds said...

Not sure Walker supporters differentiate between snooty Harvard and UW. Birds of a feather.

Meade said...

Or better yet — Michigan.

Guildofcannonballs said...

When my friend met my folks two years ago she said "I love people from WI they are the salt of the Earth."

The weird thing is the timing: I just saw her Saturday for the first time in a year.

Frisco contains many wonders and wonderful people.

Michael K said...

"What a garbage human being. "

I don't think it's nice for you to say that about the Democrat lady.

Gusty Winds said...

Here is Waukesha County, UW Madison equals Berkley, Harvard, Duke etc... Insane like the rest. Waukesha parents who put their kids through the UW system as an affordable, necessary evil, pray they return home without a bald head and ponytail.

Wish we had a Northwestern or our own Big Ten team, just to pummel the Badgers.

Salt of Wiscinsin's earth go to UW? Read this blog everyday. My favorite. But that was an insulated slip.

Paddy O said...

Wisconsin actually is a destination for STEM folks. A good friend went from SoCal to work there. Lots of very interesting, cutting edge, stuff happening in various departments.

Gusty Winds said...

Madison is not Wisoconsin, it just thinks it owns the joint. Even the socialist mayors that responsibly ran Milwaukee would be perplexed.

garage mahal said...

Before you comment as an authority on Wisconsin, shouldn't you be able to at least spell it?

Gusty Winds said...

Madison is not Wisconsin, it just thinks it owns the joint. Even the socialist mayors that responsibly ran Milwaukee would be perplexed.

Gusty Winds said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gusty Winds said...

Didn't want to use the exact word "Wisconsin" lest the Burke campaign accuse me of plagiarism.

RecChief said...

"Ann Althouse said...
@RecChief

He's also mobilizing anti-elitism. Her side loves to say that he didn't graduate from college, and he's countering with "she went to Harvard Business School" like it's a bad thing."

I'm not from Wisconsin, although I am from the midwest. I'm not attempting to speak for anyone but myself, but I don't see it that way. I see the anti-elitist message, but it's that way in the sense that Mary Burke is basically using an appeal to authority argument (she went to Harvard business school, Walker didn't graduate). I generally tune out arguments based solely on an appeal to authority. Then when you pull back the Harvard Crimson curtain, all you see is Eric Schnurer, cutting and pasting.

I'm afraid I don't see your "We're the salt of the earth here in Wisconsin, and when we need some higher education, we go to the University of Wisconsin." construction. That spin on it seems elitist in my view. Why not jsut call me a rube because I don't see the need to send my kids to an Ivy League school based on Mary Burke's example?

Original Mike said...

"For their part, Democrats pushed back by charging that Walker has sometimes used slogans popularized by others, such as "Open for Business" "

Who's advising them? Garage?

garage mahal said...

Brown bag lunch movement was ripped from Voinivich using the same PR firm from New Hampshire. Which is a pretty funny gimmick when Walker is a billionaire chew toy.

Original Mike said...

It's not the plagiarism, garage. It's the empty suitism.

garage mahal said...

Walker only will agree to two debates because Burke is an empty suit. He even turned down Mike Gousha. Burke will doing a PBS debate by herself. Walker will let his attack ads do the talking.

Ann Althouse said...

Is it a debate if no one else is there? Sounds very PBS.

cubanbob said...

Ann Althouse said...
Because it's just nuts for a man and his wife to be talking to each other -- 10 feet apart in real life -- in the comments of a blog.

9/22/14, 10:03 PM"

Guys, cut it out! You're making us feel like creepy peeping Toms.

cubanbob said...

I'm afraid I don't see your "We're the salt of the earth here in Wisconsin, and when we need some higher education, we go to the University of Wisconsin." construction. That spin on it seems elitist in my view. Why not jsut call me a rube because I don't see the need to send my kids to an Ivy League school based on Mary Burke's example?

9/22/14, 10:46 PM"

RecChief the reason I'm sending my kid to an Ivy is simple, it's still a great education (albeit hideously expensive) and the reality of like is that being an Ivy graduate is a marker in like. A brand name. Thats the way this country operates. Thats the way it is. I don't follow WI politics other than what is expressed in this blog. Burke is probably a lightweight and probably not all that competent to be governor but a Harvard degree still carries weight and she still might win simply because among the voting block that will vote for her a business degree from Harvard simply means its OK to vote for her because rhetoric aside she won't be that crazy in terms of economic policy as governor so its safe to vote for her. Branding is all about perception and she is branding herself to ordinary working Democrats who aren't all that dissatisfied with Walker as an OK alternative to vote for.

n.n said...

Burke is evidence that there is a correlation between ivy league and social status. Walker's analysis suggests that achievement is related but not dependent on elite certification. Walker's theory offers hope to all of the ordinary folks. While we may never join the elite clubs, we may nonetheless be successful, productive, contributing members of society... and leave the government's basement.

Gusty Winds said...

In late August I started a lucrative manufacturing management job in Milwaukee, returning to Waukesha Co., like Ulysses, after 40 years in the Chicagoland area. Jumped off Illinois’ sinking ship, and escaped its corrupt sirens. Family, traffic, lifestyle, better for my kids etc...

There were no jobs to be had in manufacturing, even as late as 2012 and 2013.

This year I started searching in late June and had two offers in hand within thirty days. Moving expenses included.

There are tons of manufacturing jobs available in SE Wisconsin. Wisconsin now has to recruit talent. Much of it was driven out by past administrations that waved goodbye to industry.

I have lots of loving family, split by the divisions; public sector teachers and firemen vs. private sector members.

A close union supporting family member was baffled as I described my recent job success, especially when I told him how many jobs were available on internet boards, and how quickly I landed one. He was genuinely glad I was coming home.

But in a true moment of conflicting feelings he said, “Wow, you don’t think it’s….”

“Walker?” I finished. “Of course it is,” I replied.

He was happy for me, but disappointed at the same time. The disdain for Walker, and the disappointment that predicted disasters did not materialize obviously troubled him. Re-election probable.

I was able to return home to the Great State of Wisconsin because of Scott Walker. I can’t wait to vote for him with my brand new Wisconsin Driver’s License, complying with his common sense Voter ID Law. I’m a tax paying, productive member of the state I love; a Green and Gold State.

And yes, I resent Madison's assumed arrogant control, and its dishonest disrespect of lesser citizens. Power shifted to Wisconsin's producers and taxpayers. Madison is the sore losing, whiny cause of the divide. How would Madison support itself without taxpayers and tuition borrowers? It produces...nothing.

Except this very interesting blog of course.

True story. Go Packers!! Sink Badgers!!




cubanbob said...

Gusty Winds is exactly the reason why WI should re-elect Walker and is the reason why Burke is flogging her Harvard business school background as a counter. If Walker gets re-elected then he should be someone serious Republicans should look at as a potential candidate in 2016. We need real leadership and effective governance with a goal of creating as close to possible a for shortage. Everything else is at best secondary or tertiary.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

Scott Walker's attack on Mary Burke should work in retread and bicycle. Because everyone except bicyclists hates bicyclists.

The Crack Emcee said...

Ann,

"I think if you're hyping the campaign about how the plan is the centerpiece, how it's based, kind of rubbing our nose in it, in the fact she went to Harvard Business School, somehow implying that means her work is superior to anyone else's here in the state, and then you find out that portions of it were taken from elsewhere without attribution, I think those are very serious issues."

Yeah, the "very serious issue" of someone who knows how to synthesize material.

Jesus, considering the lives being lost, but this is tedious bullshit,...

Mark said...

To think this is the topic you give a long extended week worth of posts on. Its partisan politics all the way down.

Brando said...

The main takeaway is that this brouhaha is going to take Burke off message during the heated final weeks of the campaign. And of course she'll have to come up with new campaign literature, which when it is released everyone can ask if she lifted it from someone else.

It's amazing how much incompetence is practiced in high priced political campaigns.

Headless Blogger said...

Harvard Business grads: Mary Burke; Scott A. P...... (the moron I used to work for); George W. Bush... no need to go any further.

Headless Blogger said...

My point above is that we po' folks go to Devry or Phoenix for our MBA's. Rich people buy (BUY!) their degrees from Harvard.

Anonymous said...

You know who else went to Harvard Business School...

SomeoneHasToSayIt said...

As someone said of Hillary Clinton, also quite applicable to Burke:

"She needs to be careful not to let the fact that she is not particularly good
at anything, distract from the fact that she is a woman."

garage mahal said...

I was able to return home to the Great State of Wisconsin because of Scott Walker. I can’t wait to vote for him with my brand new Wisconsin Driver’s License, complying with his common sense Voter ID Law. I’m a tax paying, productive member of the state I love; a Green and Gold State.

LOL. How much were you paid to write this dreck?

tim in vermont said...

Yeah, but what does any of this have to do with reparations you ahistorical bastards?

chillblaine said...

"Wisconsin is not a destination for STEM"

I always wondered why enlightened progressives support the democrat agenda of importing H1-B visa holders. Zuck's been pimping for tripling the number. I would feel threatened if my job could be insourced by indentured servants from India so easily.

Larry J said...

Ann Althouse said...
@RecChief

He's also mobilizing anti-elitism. Her side loves to say that he didn't graduate from college, and he's countering with "she went to Harvard Business School" like it's a bad thing.


The last four US presidents have all attended Harvard and/or Yale. Each of them have had issues but Obama has whole subscriptions. The Ivy League has tarnished its own brand.

Curious George said...

"Democrats pushed back by charging that Walker has sometimes used slogans popularized by others, such as "Open for Business" and the "Wisconsin Comeback."

LOL How lame is this. "Yeah, Burke, the Harvard MBA had to steal three losers job's plan, but Walker stole a SLOGAN!!!!!

What kind of retard thinks this response makes sense...in addition to legitimizing the plagiarism issue with Burke, it continues the discussion, with no solid response.

I mean you have to be a moron right?

" garage mahal said...
Brown bag lunch movement was ripped from Voinivich using the same PR firm from New Hampshire."

The prosecusion rests, your honor.

Brando said...

One way that political campaigns are a lot like football is that when the two sides are relatively evenly matched, the result will generally go to the side that made the fewest mistakes. Simply not doing something stupid can be enough to win.

The incompetence of Burke's campaign here should give voters pause--what sort of leadership would she provide as a head of the government of a state?

Peter said...

"the reality of like is that being an Ivy graduate is a marker in like. A brand name."

Well, yes, the Ivies are still a great brand name, in part because even if the education one receives there isn't always superior at least everone knows how insanely competitive their admissions are. So, an Ivy is probably worth paying for.

But Walker's comment here was more like taking the cover off some audiophile's absurdly expensive stereo only to find that what's inside it is just a repackaging of a low-budget model sold at Wal-Mart.

Sometimes a name brand signfifies quality, but, sometimes it's just a brand name and doesn't signify much of anything.

chickelit said...

Suppose that people connect the dots:

Harvard = Barack Obama; and
Harvard = Mary Burke.

SomeoneHasToSayIt said...

Speaking of women, even getting over 90% of the Black male vote, it was women voters going overwhelmingly for Obama (56%-44%), that gave us this current disastrous mess.

In business (how about those modern HR departments!). In education (Johnny's now a pajama boy - that should work out well). In politics (don't even get me started).

So what haven't they made worse by their presence and policy choices?

So, yeah . . by all means, let's have a woman governor. That should work out well. Thatchers are few and far between, it should be obvious to all by now.

Meade said...

"So what haven't they made worse by their presence and policy choices?"

Theology.

Big Mike said...

These snooty people with their fancy schools, they like to act like they know so much more than we do, but they really don't.

In my experience it's a bit worse than that, Professor. I don't like to hire Ivy graduates because they seem to feel that having graduated from an Ivy means that they don't have to prove themselves, that they can just float through life on their diploma as though it is some sort of magic carpet.

SomeoneHasToSayIt said...

Meade said...
"So what haven't they made worse by their presence and policy choices?"

Theology.


Actually, I can accept a lot of what is written at that link you posted, but I would then say that the biological differences tend to support my previous comments about them not being the best business leaders and managers, arbiters of how boys should be allowed their 'snakes and snails and puppy dog tails" natures, and in politics, women are especially ill-equipped to deal with the nasty nasty men that are making all the world's messes and challenges these days.

Known Unknown said...

The best women I've run across in business act more like men than I think they'd be willing to admit.

Gusty Winds said...

Garage: Without publicly revealing my salary, I'm being paid quite well; great bennies too. Thanks for asking.

Wages here for Management in comparable positions are actually higher than Chicago because of a lower population and diminished talent pool. There are lots of jobs. Plenty if you WANT one.

What I wrote is 100% true. It doesn't surprise me that it would disappoint you.

Many in Illinois see Scott Walker as a ray of light. You don't even have a clue what dictatorial corruption is until you lived in Lincolnland. All this consternation is small potatoes.

My Brother is doing the same thing. He'll be here quickly with his fully employed, property owning, ID possessing, Walker voting family.

As a returning legal Citizen of the state, I am thrilled to counter balance your particular vote.

Now I'm going to eat my raw beef on rye with onions and black pepper.



RecChief said...

"Brando said..

The incompetence of Burke's campaign here should give voters pause--what sort of leadership would she provide as a head of the government of a state?"


Yes, my point exactly.


also, with regard to the Ivy League question, I'd rather have an engineering degree from Purdue than a philosophy degree from Harvard any day of the week

damikesc said...

Her side loves to say that he didn't graduate from college, and he's countering with "she went to Harvard Business School" like it's a bad thing.

Given how many of those in power here are from the Ivy League schools and how amazingly they have screwed everything up...I don't see the positives of having a Harvard degree.

MzWIsh said...

Walker's "Tawny Paper Sustenance Receptacle" campaign just didn't have the same 'ring' to it.

Dustin said...

"Burke will doing a PBS debate by herself. "

Garage, perhaps you shouldn't be hating on the quality of anyone's writing in this thread.

Besides, it's a sign of mental clarity that Walker is not elevating PBS to moderate a debate he participates in. It would be as unwise for Burke to let Hannity moderate a debate.

If she wants a fluff interview on PBS and presents that to the voters as a debate, that's not a strong indicator she will play straight with other situations as governor.

Titus said...

"Given how many of those in power here are from the Ivy League schools and how amazingly they have screwed everything up...I don't see the positives of having a Harvard degree."

You don't understand the job market Gurdy.

Granted, Harvard would be a negative in grossie states but elsewhere that piece of paper speaks volumes.

tits.

Will said...

This Wisconsin story jogged my memory…

Remember when Barack Obama stole a speech from Deval Patrick.. a plagiarism midwifed by shared handlers and consultants?

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/02/obama-echoes-de/

"Words….just words…"

How is this working out for America?

Voters want to see a candidate's original thought.. or lack thereof...

Meade said...

Titus said...
"Granted, Harvard would be a negative in grossie states but elsewhere that piece of paper speaks volumes."

Speaking of grossie states, what could be grossier than cousins marrying cousins? Not legal in Wisconsin or Indiana. Legal in Massachusetts and New York.

Eew.

chickelit said...

@Meade: The majority of people in Mass and NY aren't "breeders" so marrying cousins is OK.