Motivated by the current (2011) political climate in Wisconsin it seems reasonable to devote some time and effort to comment on issues and some of the hyperbole. So we in the public should do what we can to help focus "journalists" on delineating real facts versus spin. If you accept the spin you do not understand the policy implications.
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Janesville, seeking a ninth term, has an opponent with the same last name as his in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District seat Tuesday.
But the more contested race is on the Democratic side where Rob Zerban, who lost to Ryan two years ago, is being challenged by Amardeep Kaleka. Kaleka's father, Sikh Temple President Satwant Singh Kaleka, was gunned down by a white supremacist at an Oak Creek Sikh temple two years ago. His father's death motivated Kaleka to run for Congress.
Zerban, a former Kenosha County supervisor, said that while it's always tough running against an established incumbent like Ryan, "sometimes you have to run more than once."
"Paul's really not in touch with people in the 1st Congressional District," Zerban said.
Zerban, who serves on the board of the Wisconsin Business Alliance, said jobs and providing a living wage to families were priorities for him. The GOP Congress, as Zerban put it, has thwarted job growth and hurt middle-class families.
While Zerban says he has his sights on Ryan, he said he was not overlooking Kaleka.
