December 16, 2011

Scott Walker has raised $5.1 million to fight his recall... so who will oppose him?

Let's assume the signature-gatherers hit the mark and trigger a recall. Walker can only be removed if the Democrats come up with an opponent who beats him in the recall election. What are they going to use for money?
But the Democratic Party reported raising just under $1.2 million between July 1 and Dec. 10 to support its own role in the recall attempt. It has $360,000 in cash on hand.
Meanwhile, Walker is still raking money in, and under state law there is no limit on donations, and some people are handing him checks in excess of $200,000.

This money will flood into an immense advertising campaign next year. Next year, when all the presidential candidates are trying to get attention and when there's a Senate race here in Wisconsin. Walker will continue to collect donations and spend it freely to promote the conservative agenda in Wisconsin, lending collateral assistance to the Republican candidates in the other 2012 elections. (And candidates in the regular elections have limits on the amounts donors can give them.)

Wisconsin is a key swing state in the presidential election. And Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Herb Kohl could be the one that tips the Senate Republican. The Walker recall could spell nationwide disaster for Democrats.

UPDATE: Power Line links and opines that the Dem candidate — whoever it turns out to be — will have no trouble raising even more money than Walker: "As long as the national unions can extort money from their members against their will, there will be no shortage of cash on the left." But Walker took the precaution of cutting off the collection of union dues. I know there are other unions in other states, but are they going to give it to whatever character steps up to take on Walker?

91 comments:

joated said...

Sounds like the Democrats of Wisconsin may be having a bit of an "Oops!" moment with thier recall zeal.

Wince said...

Plus, for all the reasons you mention, it's even more likely that a far lefty loon will be the opposition candidate.

traditionalguy said...

The Bushido Code of the Progressive numb nuts asks not how. It only wants to give its life for the Emperor/Union Bosses in suicidal fight.

Sofa King said...

I predict the GAB will find a post-hoc rationale for requiring Walker to return his contributions, like the SEB did with Mark Green.

MadisonMan said...

I think the right candidate could turn the tide of money flowing into the Governor's coffers into a potent issue. This would require that the Democrats not nominate a tired old warhorse. So I suspect it won't happen.

Writ Small said...

Sometimes the reptilian center of the brain overrules reason and a group collectively makes a decision not in its long-term interests. But enough about Newt Gingrich. Walker sure is lucky in his enemies.

garage mahal said...

Out of state agitators are really raking in the cash for Walker, half of his haul is from out of state. Bob Perry, of Swiftboat fame, contributed $250,000. Fitting.

Scott M said...

Garage apparently doesn't believe in free speech. Can we have a contest to pick the sound of his head 'sploding if Walker survives the recall?

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Interesting that all of the analysis is on who is supporting Walker. Personally, I would find it much more interesting to see who is financing the attempted overthrow of a valid state election. But that wouldn't fit the media narrative.

Anonymous said...

"Wisconsin is a key swing state in the presidential election. And Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Herb Kohl could be the one that tips the Senate Republican. The Walker recall could spell nationwide disaster for Democrats."

You need to think like a party operative if you want to figure out motivation.

The recall is going to net something much more valuable then $$$ for Ds. They will come out of this with a get-out-the-vote list for the next presidential. It looks like that list may be more then 700K WI voters -- recent information on their addresses. That list will be invaluable for them in the next American presidential election.

Poli Sci studies show that in America Ds overcome the $$$ problem by organizing voters to get to the polls in general elections. That's why Rs are much more likely to win in off- year elections, when voter turnout is low.

The state D party is not going to collect the names and addresses & delete that information.

As you said, WI is a battleground state. They also have seen the numbers and know they can loose the recall. State interests are probably ok with the risk of Walker winning because they want to flip your legislature. And because they are so angry they don't care if they loose.

traditionalguy said...

If Scott Walker is from Munich in Bavaria, then opposing him is useless.

I suggest appeasement.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

I'm sending Walker some of the money he saved me on my property tax bill. You can do the same here

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...
Out of state agitators are really raking in the cash for Walker, half of his haul is from out of state. Bob Perry, of Swiftboat fame, contributed $250,000. Fitting."

Yes, once again funding the truth. Fitting.

TosaGuy said...

"I'm sending Walker some of the money he saved me on my property tax bill."

I did the same. I budget $X dollars a year for my normally big property tax hike. This year my hike was $13 bucks. I sent half of my allotted budget to Walker and the other half to organizations who I cut out of my 2011 budget.

Beta Rube said...

The Madison issuer of death threats recieved a slap on the wrist yesterday in Dane County. Deferred Prosecutin Agreement for Windels? No jail time.

Luckily Holder's Justice department is sending the FBI to raid the homes of people who comment on web sites.

Garage will love this. Because of him and his ilk, Walker can use all the money he gets. There is no longer any sense of fairplay in Wisconsin.

Original Mike said...

Listening to the radio now, it sounds like Brett Hulsey is running.

To bad there's not a minimum IQ requirement for the office.

Michael K said...

Glad to hear Walker fund raising is going well.

MadisonMan said...

Because of him and his ilk, Walker can use all the money he gets.

No, it's because of state Law that he can do that.

Curious George said...

"Original Mike said...
Listening to the radio now, it sounds like Brett Hulsey is running."

Yes, the guy is a moron and would be eaten alive by Walker. But Hulsey just wants to be cemented as a local lib hero in Madison.

I think Tim Cullen also wants to run. Maybe Erpenbach too.

vet66 said...

I'm from the desert southwest. I will donate to Gov. Walker and the anti-progressive agenda. Hopefully we can drive a final nail in the coffin of progressivism this time around. Interesting that the Dems seem intent on supplying the nail.

Beta Rube said...

Walker needs the money because the Democratic/Public Union machine will use every resource available, including phony prosecutions for the enemy and absurd leniency for their own.

The Dane and Milwaukee County DA's are put in place by popular election and as such are wholly owned by the Left. Walker's money pales in comparison to the power that the dems wield through the government institutions they control.

garage mahal said...

No, it's because of state Law that he can do that.

It is hilarious that they are suing the GAB, over what the state law clearly states. With all the millions in free advertising WTMJ gives Walker from the likes of Charlie Sykes, and a huge cash advantage, it's all they can do is to whine about the process. Pathetic.

Calypso Facto said...

But the Democratic Party reported raising just under $1.2 million...

The "official" party totals don't mean jack, because the advocacy advertising money will dwarf the campaign contributions. That's where the real money from the national unions will go.

The Dane and Milwaukee County DA's are put in place by popular election and as such are wholly owned by the Left

Another great change made by this legislature: the ability to file suit against the State from the county you live in, rather than have to fight an uphill battle for credence in leftist Dane County Circuit Court.

machine said...

So a few out of staters supporting the Governor, and hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin citizens supporting recall...

you must be so proud...especially teaming with swiftboaters...

bagoh20 said...

How will they compete?

A: Free media. That makes it about even.

Brian Brown said...

The Walker recall could spell nationwide disaster for Democrats.

Well, given how the passage of Obamacare worked out for the Democrats, one can conclude they are not exactly the best strategic thinkers.

They're like a screaming child at this point.

edutcher said...

Once again, people are voting with their feet - right to the mailbox with checks to fight the recall.

garage mahal said...

Out of state agitators are really raking in the cash for Walker, half of his haul is from out of state.

The letters SEIU ring a bell?

bagoh20 said...

"Out of state agitators are really raking in the cash for Walker, half of his haul is from out of state. "

You can thank the endless protests in Madison for that. It's the only reason anyone cares outside of Wisconsin.

Protests send a message, and it's not always what you want, especially if you are a silly, chanting, sign waving, fat ass, hunger striking liberal.

Beta Rube said...

If you are the target of Political Prosecution, don't whine, just shut up and take it.

True under Stalin, true in Wisconsin.

Scott M said...

You can thank the endless protests in Madison for that. It's the only reason anyone cares outside of Wisconsin.

That's only half the reason I donated from "out of state". The other half is Garage Mahal.

machine said...

Uh fyi: The SEIU counts 1000s of Wisconsinites as members...


How many are in the swiftboaters?

Insufficiently Sensitive said...

But the Democratic Party reported raising just under $1.2 million between July 1 and Dec. 10

Uh, somehow the SEIU, the Teamsters, the NEA, the AFSCME are not mentioned with that paltry 1.2 million. They will enter this battle in spades, and endow their OWS proxies with endless free vittles and tents and media support.

"Walker is crisscrossing the country and taking unprecedented outside money," One Wisconsin executive director Scot Ross said in a statement.

And does anyone think the above unions - and the Obama organization, come to think of it - are not fundraising nationwide to defeat Governor Walker? 'Unprecedented outside money' fueled the yowling mobs of Madison in 2011, and will continue to do so.

garage mahal said...

Protests send a message, and it's not always what you want, especially if you are a silly, chanting, sign waving, fat ass, hunger striking liberal.

Recalls are coming in from all over state. Some rural counties have as many signatures as votes cast for Walker in the last election. But of course you don't have any fucking idea what you're talking, as usual.

Scott M said...

Uh fyi: The SEIU counts 1000s of Wisconsinites as members...

No possibility whatsoever that SEIU brought in out-of-state members for the protests?

Paul said...

Well that's the law of unintended consequences! Donks are just getting what they deserve.

Boo hoo.

machine said...

Are you missing the point on purpose?

Its easy to defeat a strawman you created, isn't it...

No wonder the "debates" are just same...

Scott M said...

Are you missing the point on purpose?

I'm not sure. I thought we were discussing the cry-babying that's going on because Walker is receiving out of state support. If that's not the case, I misunderstood what the whining was about.

bagoh20 said...

"But of course you don't have any fucking idea what you're talking, as usual."

Well, resident dense one, that's exactly my point: All I know about Wisconsin is the beautiful videos of your protesters acting like idiots. I oppose whatever they are for, and will send money to defeat them, because I fight evil worldwide. Well done.

garage mahal said...

I oppose whatever they are for, and will send money to defeat them, because I fight evil worldwide. Well done.

No, you're just a clueless moron, no different than any other clueless moron on the internet, that knows absolutely nothing about Wisconsin, who lives here, or who is signing the recall, or why. That said, please do waste more of your money.

MadisonMan said...

Out of state agitators are really raking in the cash for Walker, half of his haul is from out of state.

That's because the World Champion Green Bay Packers have a lot of out-of-state supporters.

Unknown said...

Another crack in the blue model...I hope I live long enough to see the end of the 1960s.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...

Some rural counties have as many signatures as votes cast for Walker in the last election. But of course you don't have any fucking idea what you're talking,


You have no way of demonstrating what you asserted is true.

It must be fun to make hysterical, unverified claims on the Internet.

Brian Brown said...

machine said...
So a few out of staters supporting the Governor, and hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin citizens supporting recall...


Which of course means more people in Wisconsin oppose the recall than support it.

OOPS!

mariner said...

The Walker recall could spell nationwide disaster for Democrats.

We can only hope.

Of course, then we need to hope that Republicans won't be a nationwide disaster too.

bagoh20 said...

"No, you're just a clueless moron,"

With a checkbook, and even a moron can tell which side is wrong from miles away.

You Dems are done if you've even lost us morons, that's your base.

Pastafarian said...

garage: "No, you're just a clueless moron..."

Garage, you've inspired me...to pry open my checkbook and make a rare political contribution.

Someone put up a link to Walker's contribution page. Quick, before the urge to tweak garage passes, or is overwhelmed by my usual apathy-slash-frugality.

TosaGuy said...

Donate here

bagoh20 said...

I wonder how much money Garage alone has cause to be sent to Walker.

Dude, you may be his most effective supporter. An accidental moby.

MadisonMan said...

Of course, then we need to hope that Republicans won't be a nationwide disaster too.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Fen said...

Power *attracts* corruption

garage mahal said...

Give til it hurts. Be comforted by the fact your money will be alongside Swiftboat liars and dirty Iranian Koch money.

Petunia said...

As opposed to forced-membership extorted union contributions, and money gained from ruining the financial lives of who knows how many people via George Soros' financial manipulations, of course.

Scott M said...

Give til it hurts. Be comforted by the fact your money will be alongside Swiftboat liars and dirty Iranian Koch money.

OWS taught us the ends justify the means.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
Give til it hurts. Be comforted by the fact your money will be alongside Swiftboat liars and dirty Iranian Koch money.


Of course the Swiftboaters told no "lies" and you can't substantiate the "Iranian money" claim at all.

Fen said...

Garage still arguing by assertion.

The Teachers Unions have so dumbed down the proles, they can't even defend themselves. Irony.

Carnifex said...

About "swiftboating". Since what they asserted about Kerry turned out to be true, why is that a bad thing?

About "outsider money" influencing elections. Maybe GodZero should return all that foreign capital he received for the last presidential.

About "not knowing" who is who in Wisconsin and we should just STFU. You're right, we don't have union bullies, and teamster thugs, and teachers more concerned about using, and indoctrinating children into the communist philosophy of life, than a real education. Oh wait! Yes we do.

I've been all over the US except for Alaska, and Hawaii, and the people in Madison, I hate to say it, are as dumb as the people in California, New York, and Oregon. I should make the caveat that I mean the ones that live in the cities. If you people wanna see what your socialist utopia looks like, look no further than Detroit, Las Angeles, or New York city.

Even Washington DC is a hell hole. And they all have one thing in common. A decades long adherence to democrat progressive policies.

Deny that Garage. Tell me where I am wrong. Point out the flaw in my argument that democrats/progressives = failed governments.

They spend more than they take in, then raise taxes to cover the shortage. But they spend more than they take in...it doesn't stop till it blows up.

Lets look at some progressive memes.

republicans are greedy, they don't want to increase taxes.

So the republicans want you and themselves to keep more of the money they earn working.

The corollary is that progressives want to TAKE your money via taxes.

Who is the greedy one?

Republicans are racist.

The party of Abraham Lincoln, the party that passed the equal rights act under Nixon. The party that says use your God given talents to get ahead. Work hard, and it will happen for you.

Progressives policy: affirmative action. You're negroid, native American, asian, latin, any race but caucasian, you can't do it on your own. You have to have the white man help you, you poor thing. Oh, don't worry, we know its not your fault that crime is rampant in your community. If we could just get the white man to stop selling you those guns, drugs, liquer, cars, whores, condoms etc... this place would be a paradise. Just like before the white man took it, you, that, away.

Who is the racist?

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

OWS taught us the ends justify the means.

No, the Wisconsin left beat them to it. After all, it's not over until they win.

Sofa King said...

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Yeah. But it rocks absolutely too.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Kerry deserved to be *swiftboated*. Kerry is a swiftboating liar with a silly magic hat. Kerry spent 4 months and 4 days in Vietnam and filmed himself acting all cool and manly. John Kerry was a liar and he is a liar. On top of that, Kerry is a tax cheat. AH--the democrat bad faithful-- they don't care if their own rich royalty cheat the tax system.

Joe Schmoe said...

Be comforted by the fact your money will be alongside Swiftboat liars and dirty Iranian Koch money.

Unlike that clean union money attained through compulsory extortion of its members AND coffer-raiding 're-allocation' commandeered by pols whose campaigns are funded by same.

jeff said...

"you must be so proud...especially teaming with swiftboaters."

I would be. Vietnam Vets speaking truth to power against the Rich, Powerful and Politically Connected?

Yet I sense you intend that as a slur. Interesting.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

As the left unravels, it's hilarious to watch them collectively whine and scream about how everything is being funded by "Koch".
It's a conspiracy! People can't think for themselves or look at the corrupt democrat party and think enough. No No NO! It's all the Koch brothers!

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

The collective left have been taught by the corrupt liars on high to just drop the word "swiftboating" and we are supposed to run away in fear.
SWIFTBOAT THIS.
I stand with real Vietnam heroes, not tax cheating, gold digging, leftwing lairs like John F Kerry.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"you must be so proud...especially teaming with swiftboaters."

You had no problem teaming up with Rev. Wright and goddamn AmeriKKKA.

PaulV said...

Pittance compared to the billion dollars Obama plans to raise from his Wall Street cronies

cubanbob said...

AprilApple said...
Kerry deserved to be *swiftboated*. Kerry is a swiftboating liar with a silly magic hat. Kerry spent 4 months and 4 days in Vietnam and filmed himself acting all cool and manly. John Kerry was a liar and he is a liar. On top of that, Kerry is a tax cheat. AH--the democrat bad faithful-- they don't care if their own rich royalty cheat the tax system.

12/16/11 12:36 PM

And worst of all, a traitor. he was a US naval officer when he met with enemy diplomats in Paris on his own. Then there is his disgusting winter solider nonsense in front of congress. And who exactly wrote up his letter of commendations for his medals and when is he finally going to release his discharge form?

PaulV said...

Kerry said he went to Cambodia Christmas 1968 when Nixon was President. Does even Garage beleive that Lie?

Jason said...

Until a Democrat actually steps forward and commits to running in a potential recall, all of this crap is just plain silly.

If Walker truly is in as much trouble as the left in this state wants to believe, there would be candidates left and right already chomping at the bit to run. The fact that there isnt, and probably the most prominent Democrat in the state would rather go and teach at Stanford than run for governor, should tell you plenty.

Walker likely has his commercials ready, and they arent that hard to make thanks to the craziness at the capitol. And a one-minute commercial simply listing the 200+ school districts that had their property tax levies stay the same or lowered due to Act 10 - without a loss of essential services - would be quite powerful.

Hell, Im still skeptical they are going to get enough valid recall signatures.

Milwaukee said...

Canuck: It looks like that list may be more then 700K WI voters -- recent information on their addresses. That list will be invaluable for them in the next American presidential election.


If 30% of the names are invalid, then how useful is that list? The Democrats will need to get it cleaned up for them. How clever: submit a list with lots of errors, and have the Republicans clean up the list. Get the cleaned up list from GAB. What a waste of time.

Milwaukee said...

There is no longer any sense of fairplay in Wisconsin.


That "fair play" thang left awhile ago. Particularly when the 2008-2009 Democratic Legislature and Governor rammed Democratic agenda items through. Don't forget the Fleabaggers leaving the state while their supporters trashed the Capitol and ran up a bill for security. That boat, the "fairplay", left the dock long ago, had a fire in the engine room after hitting a reef. Dang thang didn't settle on an even keel, and it's cargo is unsalvageable.

Sofa King said...

That "fair play" thang left awhile ago. Particularly when the 2008-2009 Democratic Legislature and Governor rammed Democratic agenda items through.


For that matter, as I alluded to, I think the 2006 SEB shenanigans against Mark Green really dropped a lot of pretenses.

Seeing Red said...

No. 2: Milwaukee, Wis.10-year growth in manufacturing: -23.8%5-year growth: -13%2-year growth: 5.6%1-year growth: 7.9%


Via Insty from Forbes.

Seeing Red said...

Out of state agitators are really raking in the cash for Walker, half of his haul is from out of state. Bob Perry, of Swiftboat fame, contributed $250,000. Fitting


Since they told the truth, it certainly is fitting.

Triangle Man said...

There is no longer any sense of fairplay in Wisconsin.

I think the "fair play" in Wisconsin was a veneer like "Minnesota nice" or "business friendly.

Milwaukee said...

I'm still waiting to find out what lies the Swiftboaters told. Anytime Garage, let us know. Heck, you probably know who was on the grassy knoll, as well.

I moved away from Wisconsin last year. However, I have interests there which need protecting. Besides, Governor Walker is a good man, and deserves the support of other good men.

Michael said...

This is really quite simple. The progressives just go back to each of the signatories and collect $100.00. Problem solved. Unless, of course, Walker raises another $5,000,000 in which case the progressives will have to go back for another $100.00. But they will happily contribute, like in a potlatch, to ensure the battle is finished with their victory. Progressives are very generous and will prevail.

Anonymous said...

"If 30% of the names are invalid, then how useful is that list?"

For a political operative who wants to get out the vote?

very useful.

Wisconsin statewide votes are close. The most recent elections have been won/lost by just 3K votes.

Curious George said...

Canuck said...
Wisconsin statewide votes are close. The most recent elections have been won/lost by just 3K votes."

Dude, stick to Canada you hoser.

Walker beat Barrett by 125,000 votes.

Johnson beat Feingold by a similar margin.

JB Van Hollen won by 329,000 votes.

Even Prosser beat Kloppenberg by 7,000+.

WHere do you get this 3000 shit?

PackerBronco said...

Garage's posts increasing read like the dialog from the Star Trek:NG episode, "Darmok". He doesn't really argue anymore or put forward cogent ideas, he just spews out the usual leftist references in random order:

Koch Brothers with the Swiftboat Veterans in Iraq!!!!!

Hoosier Daddy said...

".. Garage's posts increasing read like the dialog from the Star Trek:NG episode, "Darmok"..."

Nerd

A. Shmendrik said...

Is it really proper to say that the seat is being vacated by Herb Kohl this year? I like to think of that seat as having been vacant for about a decade.

Anonymous said...

"WHere do you get this 3000 shit?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/election/uscounties.html

My bad if the last Supreme Court dust-up was 7,000 and not 3,000.

Point is that 300K or 500K or 700K or 700K minus 30% error rate or whatever are a lotta potential voters and they gave their most recent addresses.

WI is a "purple" state. That's why political opps of both parties would kill for that sort of recent voter info.

I think Walker has a good chance of winning. He's got a lotta money to spend on the recall.

I do not think Walker winning or loosing was the only thing motivating the recall for the Democratic party. Not talking about the local activists; I'm talking about the D party. They want WI in 2012 for the presidential.

Anonymous said...

also -

http://myraadams.com/2011/02/04/what-can-we-learn-from-2010-in-2012/

PackerBronco said...

"Is it really proper to say that the seat is being vacated by Herb Kohl this year? I like to think of that seat as having been vacant for about a decade."
======

Herb Kohl: No senator, but snores.

Curious George said...

Canuck said...
"WHere do you get this 3000 shit?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/election/uscounties.html

My bad if the last Supreme Court dust-up was 7,000 and not 3,000.

Point is that 300K or 500K or 700K or 700K minus 30% error rate or whatever are a lotta potential voters and they gave their most recent addresses.

WI is a "purple" state. That's why political opps of both parties would kill for that sort of recent voter info.

I think Walker has a good chance of winning. He's got a lotta money to spend on the recall.

I do not think Walker winning or loosing was the only thing motivating the recall for the Democratic party. Not talking about the local activists; I'm talking about the D party. They want WI in 2012 for the presidential."

Dude, you weren't talking about the Prosser Kloppenberg SC vote.

You said "Wisconsin statewide votes are close. The most recent elections have been won/lost by just 3K votes."

That would be 2010, and as I've shown, wasn't close. 2008 surely wasn't close.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

"And worst of all, a traitor. he was a US naval officer when he met with enemy diplomats in Paris on his own. Then there is his disgusting winter solider nonsense in front of congress. And who exactly wrote up his letter of commendations for his medals and when is he finally going to release his discharge form?"

Thank you.
But the poor bastard Jonh F* Kerry was SWIFTBOATED. *whine*

Michael Haz said...

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is headed by two tone-deaf, frat-boy operatives.

Mike Tate and Graeme Zielinski prove with every utterance that there are no adults in charge at DPW.

Their total lack of strategic planning for ALL for the DPW's near-term elections has made their party and its candidates very vulnerable to losses in the recall, senatorial and presidential elections.

Good work, guys! Keep it up!

purplepenquin said...

All I know about Wisconsin is the beautiful videos of your protesters acting like idiots


Looks like the red meat Ann likes to toss out is working-as-intended...

Synova said...

You know what would be funny... and appropriate!

If a recall election reset the clock. So if Walker ran he'd have four more years instead of two, and then four more after that if he won again.

Anonymous said...

"You said "Wisconsin statewide votes are close. The most recent elections have been won/lost by just 3K votes."

"That would be 2010, and as I've shown, wasn't close. 2008 surely wasn't close."

ok - we disagree that Wisconsin is a battleground purple state.

That's cool. I think it's interesting to hear why people have come to different conclusions about political predictions.

It sounds like you think Wisconsin is now a red state like TX for future presidential elections.

I think it could go either way. In my opinion Wisconsin will be a closely fought race with both parties vying for every vote.

james conrad said...

CONGRATS on this article being posted on PowerLine. I think PL requires commenters to post comments to their FB page, a good idea i think, tamps down the troll traffic & contributes to the good traffic, lol. You might consider doing that here.