Wisconsin Democrats Have A Bench, And More

Wisconsin Democrats can look ahead and begin showcasing some of their leaders-in-waiting. There's talent out there: the Party and its allies have to be smart about supporting people like these (and this is just an off-the-top of-my-head list, neither comprehensive or exclusive), so let's start, or continue the conversation:

*  Racine State Rep. Cory Mason. This recent Capital Times profile makes the point.

*  Lori Compas: She stepped up as a grassroots activist and took on Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a thankless, Herculean task that should be rewarded with a spot somewhere. I can guarantee you that if all the roles were reversed, the GOP would find a way to nurture and prepare her for something later on. That's what the GOP does, and where Democrats have fallen short.

*  Firefighter and union official Mahlon Mitchell:  A smart party would elevate him after his run for Lt. Governor.

* Wausau State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout. The positive impression she created in the Democratic gubernatorial primary is already valued by Democrats, especially north of, and outside of Madison and Milwaukee, and big city Democrats need to fully appreciate the appeal that out-staters on this lists like this can bring to leadership work and statewide ballots.

*  La Crosse State Sen. Jennifer Shilling:  She's moved up in legislative ranks and everything I hear about her says "leadership" and "talent."

* Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson:  Don't forget that he gave up a seat and leadership position in the Assembly to run for Lt. Gov. in 2010, then dusted himself off and won the County Executive seat in a conservative area. What does that tell you?

And progressives need to rally around John Lehman, who won back his Racine State Senate seat in a recall race, against great odds.

The GOP has been talking gratuitous trash against Lehman as a guaranteed short-termer since Van Wanggaard fell behind in a race they thought he'd win in a cake walk.

Lehman's incumbency should be a priority right now and in 2014.

I don't know blogger Barb Caffrey, but her commentary on the Wanggaard loss was pretty interesting.

Do not buy into the current GOP narrative that Democrats don't have a bench, or that the recall elections presaged the death of the Progressive Era, as Wauwatosa State Sen. Leah Vukmir predicted during a celebratory talk radio phoner.