matthew on 
I am a Democrat. I live in Wisconsin. As a result it has been part of my DNA for most of my life, that I love me some Dave Obey. Over the years I have met him, got to know him (our parents were social), and it turns out I really like the guy. Both as a policy maker and as dude. The dude part is often more important to me. But, now I have to begin to wonder if the time is done for Dave, and his power base in Wisconsin as a king maker.
You see we are starting to see reports that former Congressman Obey is considering a run. We have heard rumors that he is courting a member of Middle Wisconsin to run against Rep. Galloway in the recall. And today I read a newspaper story that former Congressman Obey is not ruling out a run against Governor Walker in the recall.
That is great, I am not ruling out climbing Mount Everest this weekend, but I am not hiring sherpas either.
I wonder if the dependence that the State of Wisconsin Democratic Party had on former Congressman Obey while he was in office has led to a Democratic atrophy of sorts?
I understand this is a rather one sided political discussion, but I am a Democrat after all, so I have no idea if Republicans have this sort of stuff going on. Not that I do not care, I just was not thinking about the party of the right today. No offense meant.
I openly wonder if the sort of influence exerted, or attempted by former Congressman Obey is healthy for my party, much less the state. I like him, and know he is a man who I share many ideas with, but I wonder if Democrats would be better served to use a resource like him to develop a county infrastructure.
So, what do you think? Aside from the faithful, does former Congressman Obey carry any cache with you as a member of the public?
