John Lehman Takes Oath Again for 21st Senate District
After being declared the winner of the recall election on June 5 and again after a recount, Sen. John Lehman was sworn into office Monday.
A group of about 100 supporters cheered for Sen. John Lehman Monday after he took the oath of office for the 21st Senate District.
Lehman ran against Republican Van Wanggaard in the 21st Senate District recall in a kind of rematch. Wanggaard defeated Lehman in November 2010, but when Wanggaard was targeted for recall, Lehman stepped forward as the challenger.
On June 5, Lehman was declared the winner by 834 votes. Wanggaard requested a recount that concluded July 2, again confirming Lehman the winner but by a slightly smaller margin of 819 votes. Wanggaard chose not to challenge the recount, leaving the Democrats with a majority - at least until November - in the state Senate.
It was standing room only in the courtroom where Judge Gerald Petak administered the oath of office.
The oath itself only took a few seconds, and afterwards, Lehman joked about the stack of Bibles on which he took the oath.
"I have six, one for each grandchild that's inscribed with today's date and why it's important," he explained. "So for your very own, go over to Commitments in West Racine and then stop over at Wilson's."
"To read it?" someone interjected.
Lehman laughed and agreed, and he reminded people to support local businesses.
Before calling Lehman and his wife, Cathy, up to the front, Petak said it was an appropriate setting given the history of the room.
"This is historic and since this is where all Racine County judges are sworn in, it's a good place to be," he said. "The recalls were unlike anything we've ever experienced and the level of debate they stirred is unprecedented."
It was also fitting to hold Lehman's ceremony in the courthouse, Petak added, because then all of Lehman's supporters could attend.
"It says something about John's character that he wanted to do this here instead of in Madison," he continued. "John thought of you first because he realizes the value of your hard work and the many hours you volunteered for this effort."
Just before he invited everyone to Infusino's for lunch, Lehman issued one more "thank you."
"But really, thank you for the months and months and months of work," he said. "We can finally say it's over."
Not quite, Petak said.
"We still have to a document to sign," he said, holding up the Oath awaiting both their signatures.
Tansandy
2:27 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Did he take a step forward, or run to Canada???????
Jack Schroeder
2:31 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Please check your comments for lucidity before posting.
Tansandy
4:11 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
All I know is the last time I took an oath, I ended up in Viet Nam. And I know what the coward did when it was his time for him to take an oath. So prove to me that I am hallucinating!!! I think that is lucid!!!!
Tansandy
5:43 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Jack, you still here? Please tell me what I stateed was wrong! All I hear are the crickets! What no snarky comeback!
Greg
3:53 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
The lunch at Infusino's was great, thanks John.
morninmist
5:00 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Congratulation Senator Lehman.
And a related tweet:
Koby Schellenger @votekoby
Congratulations to FredRisser & @TimCarpenterMKE for being named president and president pro tempore of the #WI senate #Wiunion #Wipolitics
Richard Head
5:51 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
John Lehman Doesn't represent me in any way, shape or form. His authority is solely derived through FORCE, and the confiscation of my property through the threat of force.
"It is true that the theory of our Constitution is, that all taxes are paid voluntarily; that our government is a mutual insurance company, voluntarily entered into by the people with each other; that each man makes a free and purely voluntary contract with all others who are parties to the Constitution, to pay so much money for so much protection, the same as he does with any other insurance company; and that he is just as free not to be protected, and not to pay tax, as he is to pay a tax, and be protected.
But this theory of our government is wholly different from the practical fact. The fact is that the government, like a highwayman, says to a man: "Your money, or your life." And many, if not most, taxes are paid under the compulsion of that threat.
The government does not, indeed, waylay a man in a lonely place, spring upon him from the roadside, and, holding a pistol to his head, proceed to rifle his pockets. But the robbery is none the less a robbery on that account; and it is far more dastardly and shameful.
The proceedings of those robbers and murderers, who call themselves "the government," are directly the opposite of these of the single highwayman. "
Lysander Spooner - No Treason
http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/NoTreason/NoTreason_chap3.html
Richard Head
5:53 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
John understand this well - a coward in war - a butcher with political power!
"All political power, as it is called, rests practically upon this matter of money. Any number of scoundrels, having money enough to start with, can establish themselves as a "government"; because, with money, they can hire soldiers, and with soldiers extort more money; and also compel general obedience to their will. It is with government, as Caesar said it was in war, that money and soldiers mutually supported each other; that with money he could hire soldiers, and with soldiers extort money. So these villains, who call themselves governments, well understand that their power rests primarily upon money. With money they can hire soldiers, and with soldiers extort money. And, when their authority is denied, the first use they always make of money, is to hire soldiers to kill or subdue all who refuse them more money. "
Lysander Spooner - No Treason
http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/NoTreason/NoTreason_chap3.html
Tansandy
6:29 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Played at the swearing in--
O Canada! Our home and native land
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The true north, strong and free
From far and wide, O Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
I'm a coward so,
I run to thee Oh Canada
SkinnyDude
11:59 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Draft dodging double dipping politician who never had a tax increase or fee raise he didnt like . The city of Racine should be so Proud. NOT!
Stormy Weather
12:13 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Just wondering... Did they have to show an ID to get into the court room???
James R Hoffa
10:22 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
This just proves how stupid Lehman really is - the Racine County Courthouse is located in The City of Racine, which is part of the new SD-22, and has been represented by Bob Wirch since August of last year. Isn't this the equivalent of Lehman giving his actual district and constituency the bird? I think I'll call him right now and ask for an explanation immediately!
James R Hoffa
10:27 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
No answer in his office - I got the machine and left a message!
morninmist
12:28 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Lovely pic to keep you occupied while you try to ring him up.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151032109188118&set=a.10150179024053118.326871.92021268117&type=1
Working America @WorkingAmerica
Photo of the day: Wisconsin Democrats take the majority in the State Senate http://on.fb.me/O81r82 #wiunion #1u
SkinnyDude
3:26 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
morninmist - Yeah they took over the senate and there is no new business until after after November ......The senate will flip back again when it matters. Everyone that been following this Knows that......Except you . Enjoy the picture.....but Wisconsin is moving FORWARD !
morninmist
4:21 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
You know nothing skinny!! You made a fool of yourself yelling fraud and Walker appointed Racine DA found NONE!
Best Western
1:17 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I know it's kind of awkward and all, but if those 6 Bibles your wife is carrying could be returned to the Best Western Hotel in Rockford, IL, I am sure the local Gideons would appreciate it.
No hurry, just bring them back the next time you join other WI liberal legislators and decide to violate your "oath" of office by "hiding out" at our IL hotel.
We will keep the "lights on for you" and that extended low rate we promised WI Dems through November (arranged with that Travelocity gnome fellow friend of yours: Mason, I believe?).
No hard feelings, but we expected your swearing in ceremony to take place here in IL. You might as well represent some of us in IL since you apparently do not represent the majority of the residents in "your" district.