Chris Liebenthal (aka Capper, the blogger focused solely on Scott Walker) set the group up as a 501(c)4. Remember, there’s a big difference between a 501(c)4 and the more recognized and more altruistic 501(c)3. In short, this is a political action group, not a charity.
Liebenthal, the leader of the pack, works for the county. He’s set up and writes for the union blog AFSCME 645. He says he’s also a trustee for the union and that he chairs the PEOPLE PAC. (Hey, after donating for a couple of years, you too could get a “flashy new pen set.”) Liebenthal was also rumored to be the leader of the group hoping to recall Scott Walker.
I suspect this organization is an attempt to make good on the recall concept.
What blows me away is how the media has decided to legitimize Liebenthal’s effort. Today they posted a brief on the group. But how legitimate can an organization be when the front page of their Web site offers this opportunity?
Come and meet us Wednesday night, July 15, at Drinking Liberally. We will be at the Sugar Maple, located at 411 E. Lincoln Ave. tonight at 7 p.m.
This morning Liebenthal publicly admonished Scott Walker on his Facebook status:
I’m really surprised Walker didn’t show up to the debut of Milwaukee County First. He must not feel the need to put County citizens first.
Let’s get two things straight. Chris Liebenthal isn’t a monster. We’ve stood on the same side of a couple of very important issues. But, and this is important, he’s really risking the credibility he’s earned by such a myopic approach to Milwaukee County. Will he be working alone?
Note to Capper: I bet your traffic is going to increase. 
23 responses so far ↓
1 Kate // Jul 16, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Well, I won’t be helping him out by clicking this time. I’ve read his rants against Walker, and all I can figure out, Chris doesn’t much care for fiscal responsibility.
2 Aaron Rodriguez // Jul 16, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I stopped reading his material when I realized his site was almost exclusively an anti-Walker site. He’s a one-trick pony if you will.
Keep us posted Cindy, I may jump in with a story or two.
3 Cindy Kilkenny // Jul 16, 2009 at 3:03 pm
You know, Capper also “edits” Wisconsin’s BlogNetNews. It’s just another nail in the coffin for that site.
4 Aaron Rodriguez // Jul 16, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Here is an excerpt from their first news release:
“Reacting to recently announced cuts in Milwaukee county social services by County Executive Scott Walker, Milwaukee County First Chair Chris Liebenthal terms these reductions as an ‘attack on the most vulnerable in our society, turning the budget into a weapon rather than a responsible means for running government.’”
In other words, you were right. This will be very fun to write about.
5 Jason Haas // Jul 16, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Preying upon the elderly is fun?
6 Aaron Rodriguez // Jul 16, 2009 at 4:23 pm
More like pretending to be a non-partisan group of concerned citizens when it’s really an anti-Walker front group created to the Executive in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Where is the non-partisan group of concerned citizens for the demise of Wisconsin, which is among the worst economic conditions nationwide? Perhaps Capper should start a group to recall Doyle for his miserable job creating an anti-business climate and raising a host of taxes and fees on citizens during a recession.
How transparently pathetic.
7 Cindy Kilkenny // Jul 16, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I heart Arod-WI. Really well stated.
Notice there was no real discussion, only a “preying upon the elderly” accusation. BTW, Haas is on the group’s board.
8 Randy in Richmond // Jul 16, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Jason
Thought I would check out your website but after scrolling down a few lines and reading “right wing squawker” I changed my mind.
9 Calvin // Jul 16, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Capper really needs to see a therapist to help him with his hatred towards Walker. It must be a miserable life to hate someone all the time. The rest of the “Leadership team” on this organization are just as left or more than Capper.
My favorite is Taunya Thomas. She ran for “Booty Babe”. Unfortuately she lost…but at least she’s around to help them create this organization
http://bootybabeart.com/MiscRealTaunya.htm
(don’t worry…not pornagraphic)
10 capper // Jul 17, 2009 at 12:50 am
Gee, Cindy, I thought by now you would have learned the importance of accuracy.
You know full well that a 501(c)4 cannot do politics. We don’t do elections, tell people how to vote or not to vote, and we don’t do recalls.
Let Calvin and his corrupt CRG buddies make the fools out of themselves. Besides, haven’t you been saying we were going to recall Walker for four or five months now? When is it going to happen since you are so sure?
And how is it exactly a farce? Just because I am the Chair? You never did explain that.
But judging from some of the emails we have received, including from some of your regular commenters, and from Calvin’s comment, it is pretty easy to get what some of the issues are for the Walker backers.
11 Dan H // Jul 17, 2009 at 1:08 am
Can some one educate me on how Scott Walker has destroyed transit?
12 Aaron Rodriguez // Jul 17, 2009 at 5:49 am
Capper,
If a 501(c)4 cannot do politics, then why is your second press release an attack on Scott Walker? Boy, you non-political guys went after him right out of the gate. It’s very interesting how a bunch of non-political guys haven’t started a grassroots organization entitled “Wisconsin State First”, you know, since our state is in the crapper – big time.
Tell your press contact Keith Schmitz to get cracking on Doyle’s ineptitude of how Wisconsin is “only a shadow of what it once was”, and how our budget deficit and unemployment is through the roof.
After all, the causes of decline in Wisconsin are due “to the leaders, past and present, who have put their self interests before those of the people they serve.”
You guys cannot be serious.
13 Cindy Kilkenny // Jul 17, 2009 at 6:41 am
A 501(c)4 can lobby and participate in campaigns and elections without limits. That means they can “do politics.” I never figured you for one who would outright lie to spin his position. My accuracy is just fine, thank you.
Farce: as a show for others; unlikely, exaggerated and improbable. If the word fits…
14 dad29 // Jul 17, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Yah. It’s the 501(c)(3) that can NOT “do politics.”
S’pose Capper filled out all the wrong paperwork?
15 Tara // Jul 17, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Aren’t the cuts Scott Walker is proposing in response to the cut in state aid coming from Doyle? Shouldn’t we all be mad at Doyle?
16 Zach W. // Jul 17, 2009 at 5:04 pm
“Note to Capper: I bet your traffic is going to increase.”
Our traffic increased, but not due to you talking about capper or MCF.
Toodles!
17 Cindy Kilkenny // Jul 17, 2009 at 6:46 pm
So your crystal ball is working again?
You all just knock yourselves out. It’s America. You’re free to embarras yourselves any ol’ way you’d like.
18 Mark // Jul 18, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I’m just SHOCKED that MCF would use a non-Wisconsin based company to develop the site. Heck, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. is based in the UK! Where’s the outrage?
The site really needs an edit. Too many typos to mention.
Also, Keith is using the sexist term “spokesman”…I’m shocked, just shocked.
But it is such a pretty green color.
19 Aaron Rodriguez // Jul 18, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Prediction: it won’t get off the ground – ever.
20 disgusted with Doyle // Jul 21, 2009 at 3:17 pm
GOV. DOYLE INCREASED THE FEE FOR DRIVER LICENSE AND EXTRA MONEY WAS TO BE USED FOR REALLY ID BUT HE DIDN’T DO THAT HE PUT EXTRA MONEY IN GENERAL FUND AND THAT WAS WRONG.
21 Doyle cuts aid to counties // Jul 28, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Doyle cut aid to milwaukee county by 37% but no one in media follow up on the story. Then county board member blame Scott Walker for cutting item in his budget when they should blame Doyle.
22 Aaron Rodriguez // Jul 28, 2009 at 4:08 pm
37% huh? Any sources?
23 Badger Blogger » Blog Archive » He Said What? // Oct 25, 2009 at 7:28 pm
[...] part of MC(E)F’s mission statement, the true agenda was well documented by Aaron Rodriguez, Cindy Kilkenny and this conservative [...]
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