|
 |
2/25/2008
Van De Hey works for Kagen now
Why did the RINO cross the road? Dan Bice included chatter in his piece yesterday about possible replacement candidates for Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton in a third Doyle run for the statehouse.
Those close to the Democratic governor were mentioning many possible candidates on Friday.
Included among them were ex-Administration Secretary Marc Marotta, former GOP adviser Mark Bugher, Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines, Administration Secretary Michael Morgan, Deputy Administration Secretary Dan Schooff, state Rep. Tom Nelson and ex-Commerce Secretary Mary Burke.
Interesting list. Kaukauna’s own young Tom Nelson makes the elite club. Interesting indeed. Interesting too, is the inclusion of Tommy Thompson’s Secretary of Administration, a former Secretary of the Department of Revenue and now the director of the non-profit University Research Park and Board Chair of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. Though seen as a moderate in tax policy circles, Mark Bugher holds years of GOP credentials. Interesting he’d be considered to run on the ticket with a very Democratic governor.
And that made me think of Outagamie County’s own Ron Van De Hey, who began elective service in 1972 on the Kaukauna school board, was elected mayor of Kaukauna in 1982 and resigned in 1991 when he was elected to the County Executive’s seat. Van De Hey resigned from the county’s top job in 1996 to take a position with M & I Bank. He served a short stint with U.S. Oil, then a few years ago went back to the insurance business, joining his brother at Van De Hey Financial Services, Inc.
I’ve known Van De Hey from his work for what I would label Republican candidates in non-partisan races, and also as active in the Republican Party when it was convenient. He sought a role in Governor McCallum’s administration and it’s understood, continued inquiries with the Doyle administration when the Dems took over. Governor Doyle announced a Van De Hey appointment in September, 2004, to the Fox River Navigational System Authority, which the longtime Kaukauna (City, and now Town) resident currently chairs.
In that Van De Hey is seen by many as a moderate – and is labeled by some as a Republican in Name Only (RINO), I shouldn’t have been surprised to learn the former Republican Party member is now a Senior Policy Advisor for Representative Steve Kagen. But I was a bit flummoxed – Van De Hey’s new job with the Democrat freshman congressman feels like a violation of whatever rules we think we live by as party loyalists.
According to an office representative, Van De Hey, though not full-time, is definitely on the House payroll. His work will be primarily as a liaison with state agencies, including the DOT in 441/41 interchange discussions and possibly work leading to Highway 41’s conversion to federal interstate status.
COMMENTS
Hi Jo: Greetings again from sunny Marco Island. Interesting Analysis on
my GOOD FRIEND, Ron Vandehey. First, Ron never was an Republican Ideologue.
Also, he never was a self described Con-
servative. When he ran for County Exec-
utive the first time, he really needed
Party support: it was offered; and he went with it. Somewhere along the way,
he became disenchanted with a number of Republican positions at the State level.
When Doyle came along and Ron was deeply involved in the Fox Locks project, he found Doyle supportive, and developed a relationship with him. So, none of this surprises me, EXCEPT, the
new, apparent alliance with Kagen. I
too have disagreed with a number of Re-
publican positions (Not fiscally Conservative enough for me), but I can't for the life of me understand Ron ac-
cepting a position with a Guy who I find so far left on almost every issue.
I'm really confused by this move by my
good Friend Ron Vandehey.
Glenn l Schilling (Mon Feb 25 10:49:00 2008)
Hmmmm,
I am convinced every local party has their group of INOs. I know of one fellow in Manitowoc county (and this fellow is now retired from public service) who votes and prefers Republican but in order to get the job he was working for his entire life had to be a Dem. It is the reverse in this county, if you want an important elected county job then you had best be a Republican.
Mr. Van De Hey is hardly the only Kagen supporter found in OCRP circles.
Marcus Auerlius (Mon Feb 25 11:02:45 2008)
Hmmm - So Rep. Kagen is doing something right for some OCRP members. Any more insight into your comment?
Jo E. (Mon Feb 25 11:28:25)
The quote in the piece says Kagen is far to the left. Left of what exactly and on what issues?
The recent appearance of Steve at the Appleton Library left no doubt in my mind that he should be a DINO. So Vande Hey will be a good fit.
My memory is still pretty good. During the debates with Gard a couple years ago Kagen advocated a single payer health
care system under Medicare. Medicare for all by another name. Last week he was talking about a 2 tiered system with Medicare, Medicaid and Welfare (all grouped together) in one tier and so-called affordable health care making up the other tier. This leaves the insurance companies in place and cost cutting to be done by hospitals in either rates or services.
I asked if he would de-fund the war. The answer was pretty much along the lines of a Bush speech supporting the troops and he gave no indication that future appropriations for the war would be objectionable to the point of a no vote.
Left of what and on what issues? The farm bill? Locks and dredging? Wait, maybe he is considered far left because he refused the gimme of congressional health care and that any Republican would never refuse something for nothing.
You tell me.
Of what piece do you speak that "far left" is mentioned? Help me out here.... JE
Lon Ponschock (Mon Feb 25 12:43:01 2008)
[quoting from Glenn above]
"but I can't for the life of me understand Ron accepting a position with a Guy who I find so far left on almost every issue."
Perhaps Glenn can explain what these issues are.
Besides it gave me a chance to say a bit about what went on at the meeting.
I see Lon. Thanks for the clarification. JE
Lon Ponschock (Mon Feb 25 17:28:35 2008)
|
|
Blog Archives
| 2010 |
  December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Solberg: Healing After an Abortion
• Basketball fans eyeing extension of Miller Park sales tax
• Nanny sex-ed bill goes to Doyle
• A first. Village limits pension contribution for employees
• Nanny State update: Toothbrushing mandated
• Obama pushes education inflation
• WI Investment Board votes to borrow to juice up returns
• So Republicans have brought nothing to the table?
• You have got to be kidding me
• Nygren: Governor Continues Terms of Failure in State of the State
• Sen. Fitzgerald: Governor down the wrong track at high speed
• Phosphorus is the new CO2. $Billions in Wisconsin
• More Obama giveaways
• A reprimand? Would you keep him on the job?
• Burri: Sarah Palin for Prez troubles me
• Quote of the Day – Obama after the pie-eating contest
• Populism, abused and trampled
• Fitzgerald: Senate Republicans Propose Real Job Creation Agenda
• Stripped down health insurance – it’s about time
• Ok GOP, scrap the Party of NO; time to lead
• No way Feingold is a Coakley. Is Wall a Brown?
• Burri: Conservatives off the chart for a RINO?
• Paltry quid pro quo?
• Doyle says ARRA has ‘created or retained’ 44,000 WI jobs
• Does most of the public fall for this stuff?
• When you get signatures, always get a couple extra
• Blame it on the outmoded computers
• Scott Brown victory does not scuttle health bill
• 8th Congressional Candidate Forum, Jan. 25
• Scott Walker Meet-and-greet, Monday, Jan. 18
• Aren’t consumers taxpayers too?
• MORE taxes on investment income - dreadful and wrong
• Join the blaze orange army and say ‘Enough is Enough’
• The future of government-run health care
• Tax on banks is a really bad idea
• Roth, Savard on the stump, grassroots style
• Savard speaking in Appleton, 8 PM, Wed., Jan. 13.
• Rahmlow: Savard, Bies frontrunners for State Senate
• Burri: Failing Political Correctness 101
• School contracts and Race to the Top
• Senator Feingold worrisome and big red flags
• Psephological?
• This is really important. Contact Rep. Kagen. Now. Please.
• This is exactly what we need from Governor Doyle
• This guy is my hero
• Why am I not surprised?
• Talk health reform with Feingold (Th), Petri (today)
• Give the Mayor power over MPS - if he can break contracts
• Burri: Yup, Dems really are going to bypass a conference
• The $2.7 billion Wisconsin deficit no one told you about
• Walker launches county accountability website
• Rahmlow: Why is Van Hollen dodging the Nebraska deal?
|
| 2009 |
December
|
November
|
October
• The Lawton-Bader files
• Yup, it’s the TAX LEVY, not the tax RATE
• Ellis: costly automobile insurance laws must be rolled back
• If not Barrett, who?
• The subsidy game
• Burri: Bailouts, Banks, Health Care, and the Mob
• Attend Appleton Schools budget meeting tonight
• A public option WON’T increase costs? That’s delusional!
• Appleton Schools budget meeting Monday
• Wisconsin should be screaming for accountability
• Burri: If anything, we need more obstructionism around here
• WI on the leading edge - in the wrong direction
• Rep. Montgomery: Utility Customers Join State’s Crime-Fighting Efforts
• Public Conservation and Recreation Lands Total 16.5% of State
• In the crow's nest of the Titanic, shouting 'Iceberg!'
• Is Rep. Nelson a political hack?
• Health care: The road ahead will be brutal
• Kagen's pandering again
• Birthers - good stuff for you
• How much do we bend over backward for seniors?
• The trouble with health care is paying for it
• Two-parent families: The Gold Standard
• Burri: Kids... the joys and blessings
• Very, very worried about health care
• Rep. Huebsch: Wisconsin is proof government health care isn’t the answer
• School district contracts push up tax levy
• What? Obama, the Peace Prize?
• TODAY - hearing on Campaign Finance Reform
• Appleton School District tax levy up way too much
• CBO report is out - and the bill isn't even written yet?
• So, how much do YOU budget for health care?
• Burri: Copenhagen trip was amateurish
• “Sotomayor, you have blood on your hands...”
• Cap and Trade. Always follow the money
• Rep. Kagen gets (almost) free health services
• I actually agree with Rep. Kagen
• Future Wisconsin Conference for Conservatives, October 10, Wauwatosa
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
|
| 2008 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
• Important votes Tuesday, including Appleton Common Council
• Democrats are becoming supply siders??
• Further debunking Hillary myths
• WEAC has created an unsustainable monopoly
• From Mark Gundrum: One of the greatest honors an American can experience
• 'Operation Chaos' working?
• Joe Martin the best candidate in Appleton's 8th
• State programs to cut? - Volume II
• Oh the naivete of youth
• Not just disingenuous - flat wrong
• Steve - you will be missed
• Make cuts only AFTER you're elected....
• Getting serious: What programs can we cut?
• Rep. Steve Kagen joining me on Jerry Bader Show today
• Rep. Van Roy: Dental Care Pilot Program
• Has Dave Obey turned the corner on earmarks?
• Speaker Huebsch: Governor turns down Federal Aid?
• Mark Rahmlow: "We're Broke."
• As taxpayers, how do we know if it's a Chevy or a Lexus?
• This is trash talk - about a veteran
• Frank Lasee: Take time to get the Compact right
• 'The Gableman Ad' - is it racist?
• Roth thankful, Kagen shaking money tree
• Gov. Doyle's office not enamored with Freedom of Information
• Governor Doyle will never do it
• Leadership on smoking ban? Not Hanna
• Rep. Van Roy speaks out about smear ads
• You're threatening me about potholes?
• Losing the Hastert seat is NOT a trend and NOT curtians for the GOP
• First suggestion for 'slashing' programs
• Big money-saver for municipalities
• More one time fixes. Nuts.
• Any chances???
• I'm doing the Jerry Bader Show, today, the 11th
• Representative Frank Lasee: Final Waltz of the Season
• Guest Blog: It's not the county's business to be in the nursing home business
• Yup, Hillary won Texas and Ohio
• Gableman/Butler race featured - and it isn't pretty
• Lies from Planned Parenthood and NARAL
• He who sacrifices liberty.....
• Duh.
• The Troha sentencing, Doyle and that $200K
• Guns, passion and "originality"
• How hard is it anyway, to shut down a government program?
• Voting is a PRIVILEGE. And so are property taxes....
• Guest Blog: Governor Doyle, cancel your Ireland trip
|
February
|
January
|
| 2007 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Lots of ideas. No money.
• The Cigarette Tax - "Poor Policy Instrument?"
• School budget Lite?
• Frankenstein - not in the library, but in the legislature
• A librarian, a legislator, a president
• $1.25/pack - NO, NO, NO, and NO
• Kagen and Reagan in the same breath?
• Menasha: behind the 8-ball, but not biting the dust
• Any way you slice it, Wisconsin government wants (further) in on health care
• The World is Flat...what about health care?
• The PAC - too precious to fail. Day 3
• News follow-ups: Appleton West, Kagen at the White House
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail - Day 2
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail
• New Transit Tax coming your way
• Rep. Petri has his finger in the dike - I guess
• AASD Retirement Costs Burdensome
• Health care, health care, health care, health care
• Water rate increase was no slam dunk
• Education for all is just a bad dream
• New Year's resolutions from a parade snob
|
| 2006 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
| 2000 |
May
|
|
