Frankenstein Meets Vanna White

Is anyone else sick of the Wisconsin State Journal's incessant whining over the so-called Frankenstein veto? Why now? Where was the outrage prior to this year?

Do a Proquest search of the term "Frankenstein veto", the Wisconsin Newstand version, which indexes the Wisconsin State Journal from 1991 on. I ended up with 131 results. All but five of these are citations from 2007.

The citation for June 17, 2007 ("State Journal Criticized Tommy, Too") provides a laughable defense by Soctt Milford of State Journal's Frankenstein fixation.

Now, I can hardly take credit for this. I was in college in 1990 when Wisconsin voters passed a constitutional amendment limiting [Tommy Thompson]'s veto power. In a landslide, voters banned the "Vanna White" veto, which was named after the woman who turned letters on TV's "Wheel of Fortune" Vana White.

The "Vanna White" veto back then was even more absurd than the "Frankenstein" veto is today. That's why the State Journal supported the ban on the "Vanna White" veto in 1990 just as we are now supporting a ban on the "Frankenstein" veto today. The fact that a Republican was governor back then and a Democrat is in charge now has nothing to do with it. What's wrong is wrong.

The State Journal is selling bridges again.

Now do a"Thompson veto" search. I got 179 results.

Here's the kind of tsk-tsk-ing the State Journal engaged in.

DEMS SEEK REVIEW OF THOMPSON'S AUTHORITY; [Second Edition] Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wis.: Jan 5, 1996. pg. 3.D

EFFECT OF THOMPSON'S VETOES; [All Edition] State Journal staff. Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wis.: Oct 12, 1997. pg. 4.A

SOME WANT TO CLIP GUBERNATORIAL WINGS ; A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD CURTAIL WISCONSIN GOVERNOR'S EXCEPTIONALLY BROAD VETO POWER.; [ALL Edition] Scott Milfred State government reporter. Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wis.: Sep 23, 2001. pg. A.1

Yeah, I guess the State Journal really tanned Tommy's hide! Tommy Thompson......who in his first ten years of office made almost 1,700 vetoes without having the legislature override any of them. For verification, see "Governor's vetoes remold state budget Changes to go unchallenged"; [Final Edition] STEVEN WALTERS. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct 12, 1997. pg. 1

So why all the fuss at the State Journal? I'll let former Senator Brian Rude, Senate President in 1995, sum it for us: While they defend Gov. Tommy G. Thompson's use of the veto, Republicans are anxious about what will happen when a Democrat inevitably occupies the office. (My emphasis.)
("Some in GOP are concerned about governor's veto power Republicans are anxious about what will happen when a Democrat takes over the office." Richard P. Jones. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jul 9, 1995. pg. B.1.)

Scott, it's time for some Garnet Mimms & the Enchanters.
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