Tim’s Blog | Tim John for Governor 2010 | Wisconsin, a Beacon of Hope

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Past Emails from Tim John

July 2010

7.30.10 — By Tim John

Hello Winning Wisconsin,

July is waning, while the waxing August will bring blessings especially to underfunded candidates. What a surprise when we discover on September 14 that the millions of dollars of special interest money given to the “major” candidates was to no avail. There will be a great grinding of teeth and crying to friends.

We will use the best ideas from the Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Libertarians. An idea-rich landscape will flow out upon Wisconsin.

I have walked – and still walk – the streets asking thousands of you voters for support in moving away from party politics to real government leadership. I work for every dollar donated – I carried a clipboard to gain required signatures to be on this ballot – I have earned your respect by listening and by being honest in every step of our successful journey.

My plan to re-invigorate Wisconsin remains with bringing unemployed and underemployed black men into the economy. Imagine for a minute, our state with tens of thousands of employed black men actively participating in their children's education, paying taxes, keeping crime away from their neighborhoods. This idea alone will give us all better education, lower takes, and more jobs. Help me make Wisconsin the best state in the land.

President Barack Obama is coming to Milwaukee on August 16 to fund the already over funded other Democratic candidate on the ballot. Are the state and national Democratic parties so afraid of our campaign that they are bringing in the President before the primary election? Their hopes are fading – ours are rising.

I continue to make serious and fun videos for YouTube distribution, so please watch them at www.youtube.com/timjohnforgovernor and send them on to your family and friends. With 7,800 total views, you know that they are good. There will never be another campaign like ours, so enjoy it now.

To date we have raised $5,000 for our statewide campaign compared to the millions of the other candidates. While fund raising is not our strong suit, we run the best and leanest issue campaign that brings all people to us. Please send in your contribution now because we will continue to strengthen as the September 14 primary date approaches.

Spread the word about our campaign to your family and friends. We need your help.

7.18.10 — By Tim John

Hello Wisconsin!

As our public relations team adds more and more appearances on TV and radio, I enjoy greater recognition and revel in the knowledge that the top echelon of my own party is unable to “shut me out” and “shut me down”, much less “shut me up.” Shunned by the Democratic party leadership at the state convention in Middleton, I have effectively been forced to not only campaign against other parties in this race, but also forced to campaign against my own. And low and behold, here I sit, ensconced on the ballot for the Primary with lots of garnered momentum for this late July and into August push.

With little money and little party support, I moved forward. At the convention for two days, unmentioned by any speaker at the dais, and forbidden to speak to the gathered or hand out campaign materials, I continued to use my ear-to-the-people approach and gained more and more support. Tom Barrett and I are the only two Democrats on the ballot. He rides the sleek, fast stallion groomed by the Washington insiders. I race to the finish line on my donkey – the REAL Democrat.

Against his millions of dollars, I have efficiently used my own campaign contribution of $50,000 and the $5,000 generated through contributions to reach as many Wisconsinites as possible. I shake hands, listen, engage in meaningful conversations, and present my campaign focus by walking the streets, by driving my car that continues to chug along just like its driver, and by reaching out through what media will take me on board. And so I will govern this great dairy state and its great diversity. I will "shake hands" with the issues. I will listen to both sides of the aisle. I will accept compromise – I will NOT be crassly political. I will NOT espouse bigger government. This state needs a "sleeves rolled up" leader willing to do what is necessary to create a forward-moving government focused on resolving serious issues instead of focusing on party lines.

This past week or so has found me on WPR and on the radio in Wausau where Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Paterick and I enjoyed the give and take of real conversation on state concerns. I have debated Scott on Jefferson Street in downtown Milwaukee and have been heard in deep conversation with a reporter in Wisconsin Rapids. Friday saw me interviewed on WisconsinEye in Madison. On Monday I return to Wausau and Channel WAOW for a news interview and am scheduling conversations on radio and TV in Rhinelander, Racine, Kenosha and Lake Geneva. I will again return to the North for more grass roots work as well and will continue to hold forums with Scott. We can work together.

But my efforts within the constraints of budget, a message that needs to ring true with our state government’s efforts, must have follow-up. I must have you, the electorate, get up, get out, carry my message of hope, and finally vote. I feel the support from the streets of the inner city, I hear it, and I am so very appreciative of it. But the support must become mobile and must end at the ballot booth. I am here for you – you be there for me.

On another matter, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Christiansen came up short on signatures and won't be on the primary ballot. Jared was the first Democratic candidate on board and, at 18 years old, garnered some national attention. He spoke passionately about his meaty platform. He will stay involved in electoral politics and looks forward to running in ensuing elections. Hear! Hear! Jared - to good politics! To true Democracy!

I have several new videos at www.youtube.com/timjohnforgovernor that continue to reflect the lighter, very positive side of my campaign. I smile at myself and with the citizenry because together we will achieve great things. We have the talent. At our website, www.timjohnforgovernor.com, you can find a plethora of information to help promote our efforts in your travels. You, too, can ride with this donkey, the real Democrat. I have moved from unknown to recognized and shunned and, with indomitable spirit, to the ballot. Our tide builds with a steady swell.

7.12.10 — By Tim John

Hello Wisconsin!

I will be on Wisconsin Public Radio (Milwaukee WHAD 90.7 FM) “At Issue with Ben Merens” on Tuesday July 13 from 5-6 p.m. Listen and call in.

On Wednesday July 14 from 10-11 a.m., I, along with Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Paterick, will be on Pat Snyder's radio show on WSAU - AM-550 - FM-99.9 in Wausau.

Check out our YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/timjohnforgovernor for giggles and education. Your choice.

On Saturday, July 11, I used an old idea to put a new spin, at least at this point in an election, on modern-day politics. With an open-air forum back-dropped by Milwaukee’s Bastille Days revelry, I debated with Republican candidate Scott Paterick in front of our campaign office on Jefferson Street. This marked our initial joint effort that we will take “on the road” from now until the primary and beyond. After brief opening remarks from both of us, we fielded questions from those standers who chose to stay and listen and from a few passers-by.

With Governor Jim Doyle the only other candidate in the race on August 9, 2009, when I entered, I noted how the political scene has dramatically changed. I re-emphasized my most critical issue - that just a mile from where we stood sits an area representative of the unemployment dilemma facing our state. Post-depression era unemployment was 25% - 30% - for large parts of the black male community; this year it sits at 50%. The joy of being in the wonderful sunshine of this day could not push out the bleak shadow of my nearly 150 walks in the inner city to confront this issue and to search for ideas to help resolve it.

I responded to a woman’s question regarding jobs by noting, “The crucial step in curbing unemployment lies in incorporating black males into the economy. Business co-ops hold the key along with entrepreneurship. The state and private businesses or individuals need to offer loans for starting businesses. The black community has a wealth of talent waiting to be tapped and waiting to keep Wisconsin citizens working in Wisconsin jobs.”

Scott and I both hold to the idea that dairy farmers must be allowed to sell their products. The question to which we offered our ideas illustrated how Republicans and Democrats can reach “across the aisle” in cooperation to put Wisconsin back in the forefront as the leading Dairyland of this nation. Farmers should be allowed to sell raw milk – the customer has the option to purchase or not to purchase.

Another listener pointed out the critical budget deficit facing the next governor and the challenge of balancing what spending has created. Fiscal responsibility must come back to our state – now. “The next governor cannot – cannot be a politician.” A person tied by large contributions to campaigns and a person tied to party lines and a combative stance towards across-the-aisle ideas will NOT be open to new ideas, to reviewing existing programs that perhaps need to be dumped instead being a money-dump receptacle.

We discussed the train issue, other forms of mass transit, the tragedy of older workers forced out of jobs and what to do to reintroduce them to the world of work, alternative energy, and Wisconsin’s most precious resource – people willing to step forward and lead and people who truly want to work towards an improved Wisconsin. In all the chatter, Scott and I demonstrated the premise of our “road show.”

Republicans and Democrats can debate openly and oppose each other from liberal or conservative philosophies, but find points of agreement and become allied in the effort to resolve problems IF POLITICS ARE LEFT OUT OF THE PICTURE. That is the soul of our campaigns that will put one of us in office – politicians will not solve Wisconsin’s issues. I will lead with rolled-up sleeves and an outstretched hand because I am committed to Wisconsin first – its citizens, not favor-seeking, big dollar donors, who will put me in office because they can trust me to do the job.

7.4.10 — By Tim John

Happy Independence Day.

Our campaign continues to collect energy and independence from our solid Wisconsin citizens, warm night air, singing birds, and riot of green foliage. I love July!

Every day new people tell me how they have been spreading the word of my campaign to their family and friends. Don't look for me on TV because you'll be disappointed, though I have been told by some people that they have seen my commercials. We politicians must look alike because I haven't been on television since some TV news reports eight months ago.

Please be our commercials by spreading the word from brother to sister and friend to friend. We will keep our old fashioned choo choo train on the tracks by working harder than the other campaigns.

This last week I spoke to a veterans' group at a half-way house who are re-entering the public world through their brave efforts. They are all expected to volunteer in the community, therefore giving their lives added meaning; a lesson for us all. Every veteran tall and short, black and white, old and young, man and woman all had a look of tiredness in their eyes but also steely resolve to regain the honor and confidence they had a lifetime ago when they actively served our great country. Go vets!

Today I walk the Oconomowoc parade, then tomorrow the same in Oshkosh and Minocqua. All the while, collecting signatures to place my name alongside the other brave souls running for governor.

Please don't sell short any campaigning candidate because it is a consuming undertaking that can test every conviction and sap every dollop of energy. And that's on a good day. I admire the other gubernatorial candidates today more than ever.

Check out our YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/timjohnforgovernor that are the best in the business.

I continue to fight for the chronically unemployed black men. I support our farmers and consumers who want healthy, legally sold raw milk. I support marriage equality, giving everybody in Wisconsin the opportunity to have a great marriage.

Help us gain momentum by contributing to our energizing campaign at www.timjohnforgovernor.com or mailing us a check. So far, we have collected only enough money to stop a determined ant, whereas, we need enough cash to stop a determined elephant. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE NOW! If nothing else give us some money for the entertainment value of our YouTube videos.

Keep up your spirits and lend a hand wherever needed, just like our friends at the vets center.

Kindly and respectfully,