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Jim Burkee - Just who is this chameleon?
The way I see it, Burkee is being untruthful. No one, not even a smooth talking Associate Professor, can be all things to all people. Was he lying when seeking support from Republicans, RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), Libertarians, Democrats, or to all of us?
When we first met Mr. Burkee, he said he agreed with Jim Sensenbrenner on 99% of the issues. He said he liked Sensenbrenner; his only complaint was Sensenbrenner's support of Medicare Part D (prescription drug) legislation. Now, everywhere you turn, Burkee seems to have a new beef, and is desperately in search of an audience.
John Torinus, in support of Burkee, wrote in the West Bend Daily News an article designed to attack Republicans and Jim Sensenbrenner. As a perceived negative, Torinus declared Sensenbrenner, "a rock-ribbed fiscal conservative". (West Bend Daily News, June 25, 2008.) Torinus has been working hard for Mr. Burkee, reportedly because Congressman Sensenbrenner has not brought back enough pork to the 5th Congressional District. Guilty as charged. AMEN!
Then, there's Tim Peterson, the Libertarian who lost to Jim Sensenbrenner in 2004. He, too, has endorsed Burkee, saying, "No, Jim (Burkee) might not be the perfect Libertarian; he is running as a Republican. But much like Ron Paul he understands that to be most effective, sometimes it makes sense to make your mark as a capital "R" Republican while remaining a small "l" libertarian."
Mr. Sensenbrenner's Democrat opponent in 2004 and 2006, Bryan Kennedy, by all accounts, is also actively assisting Mr. Burkee (even Burkee's public financial report lists a large disbursement as "Kennedy mailing").
But wait, yet another Burkee supporter, Jeff Blackwell, a self-described "unrepentant liberal" blogger reported he attended a meeting Burkee organized with a "handful of progressive Democrats". Burkee emerged beating an anti-war, anti-defense-spending drum designed to attract staunch "progressives". New audience - New candidate.
Burkee talks about "Change", the democrats' mantra. Just like the chameleon changes depending on his surroundings, so does Burkee.
What does Burkee really believe in? Who knows? I certainly don't. But, I know what Jim Sensenbrenner believes in. I know that Sensenbrenner believes in reduced government and lower taxes. I can trust Jim Sensenbrenner; I know where he stands on the issues.
So, in my opinion, if a guy has to lie to get support, he has no values or principles worth supporting. If he did, he would be waving them for all to see. Instead, he attacks and condemns the party he claims he wants to represent; and, berates our Congressman, Jim Sensenbrenner, who continues to represent us extremely well.
If Burkee wants to be a congressman, let him reveal his true political colors and affiliation and run in the general election as the non-republican candidate that he really is. Tuesday, September 9th, my vote goes to Jim Sensenbrenner!
Jim Konowalski
Chairman
Republican Party of Ozaukee County
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