A lead investigator in the John Doe investigation into aides to Gov. Scott Walker during his stint as Milwaukee county executive has a "Recall Walker" sign in the yard of his Wauwatosa home, according to a conservative watchdog group.
In a story published Monday morning by Media Trackers, a home identified as that of David Budde, who works for District Attorney John Chisholm, appears in photos with the address number blurred out.
Media Trackers' writer Brian Sikma noted that along with the recall sign out front there is a "Blue Fist" union sign in the front door.
Sikma wrote: "The news could call into question the present impartiality of the probe at a time when Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and his allies have begun to use the issue as a top talking point."
At an appearance Monday, Barrett said that he does not know Budde and could not comment on the reported sign.
Later Monday, according to a story by Journal Sentinel reporter Dan Bice, Chisholm defended his chief investigator as fair and impartial, and said that the sign was placed by his wife, not him.
"David Budde did not sign the recall petition and has conducted himself professionally and independently in this investigation, as he has done in numerous criminal investigations throughout his 26-year career as a law enforcement officer," Chisholm said in a statement reported by Bice.
"Any decisions related to the John Doe investigation are based on the evidence and not the political views of any member of this office or their families," he added.
Media Trackers had earlier reported that 43 people working in Chisholm's office had signed recall petitions. David Budde was not among them.
Sikma reported that Budde's wife, Linda Budde, did sign the petition and also works in the county justice system, although not for Chisholm.
Bice reported that Linda Budde is a deputy court clerk for a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge.
I am sure Backwards Barrett wont mind . One look at the city of Milwaukee and you can see this career politician aka Chief Choo Choo doesn't have one major achievement in his entire career . I can see given his lifetime of failure why he would point to a meaningless witch hunt to get Walker as he has he runs one of the worst cities in the nation deeper into the ground . Dare I say Chief Choo Choo has run the city of Milwaukee OFF THE RAILS! VOTE WALKER!
Funny, for someone someone who claims to be critical on both sides is awfully mute when it comes to the GOP. Not that we should give a crap, but if you are going to claim impartiality, you have a lot of catching up to do.
Jesus, Keith, not everything is purely political. Some things are common sense, regardless of what side you're on. This is one of those things. I knew you wouldn't get it. You and whomever the other (imaginary) person is who's there with you that makes you a "we" when you post are in your own little black and white world. Try taking another route other than the b-line from your hovel to Alterra once in a while. You might learn something.
Thanks, Steve, for helping to keep ALEC and their radical agenda top-of-mind! ; )
What's obvious is that millions is being spent trying to saturate factoids into the state consciousness to cast doubt on the rightness of the recall effort. However, the amount of gas is in direct proportion to the level of disquiet on the barrage-launcher's side. To spend so much money they must be quite concerned.
If the shoe was on the other foot - i.e., the investigator had a pro-Walker sign in the front yard of his house, regardless of who put it there, the same condition would apply. It goes to potential charges of bias and to the person's judgement - or lack thereof. Both of which can be used to call into question the validity of whatever ultimately happens as a result of the investigation as a whole.
You will really be whining June 6th after we Recall Walker. And Wanggaard, too!
There were multiple articles linking Walker to the John Doe over the past years. Barrett even made false accusations during the recall campaign.