Posted on 11/23/2003 3:58:59 AM PST by Monitor
The Pentagon is expected to mobilize 80,000 troops over the next several months and that may create some holes in the Republican ranks of the Wisconsin Legislature.
At least four state legislators, all Republicans, serve as part-time soldiers. They are: Reps. Stephen Nass, Mark Gundrum, and Scott Suder along with Sen. Scott Fitzgerald.
While none of them said they are facing deployment, at least for now, all of them could have to switch from suits to boots should the call come. If it does, they will not be able to vote on legislation until they return – potentially impacting some key override attempts. Those that have campaigns to run will have an even tougher road to march.
In the Senate, Republicans would maintain their majority if Fitzgerald, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves, were called into active service, but an override would still need 22 votes, requiring five instead of four Dems to join the effort. Overrides must start in the Senate.
If all three representatives in the military were mobilized it would shift the makeup of the Assembly to 39 Democrats (with Rep. Spencer Coggs' pending move to the state Senate), 56 Republicans. While Republicans would still have a solid majority they would have to work even harder to override the governor and get the 64 votes necessary (two thirds of those present needed to override).
Right now Republicans are one shy with Suder at basic training for eight weeks with the Air National Guard. If just Suder and Coggs out, Republicans would need 65 of those present to vote to override. If Suder was back from training, Republicans would then need 66 votes.
A Republican strategist notes that in Missouri, the military flew back a lawmaker so he could cast his vote on the successful concealed carry override in that state. ``As we were collecting votes and veto override promises on our gun bill we were counting Suder as gone, so while his employment affects the math it does not affect our confidence,'' said the strategist.
While not being able to vote is one problem, campaigning from around the world would be another. Gundrum, Suder and Nass are up for reelection in 2004. Candidates would have to rely heavily on their staffs, families and supporters to do the campaigning for them. But all are in Republican-leaning districts.
"My wife would have to become super wife," joked Gundrum, an officer with the Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps, of his campaign plans should he have to run it by proxy. But even with strong support of family and staff, the face-to-face communication with voters would not be there. "I'd have to trust in the faith of the constituents in my district," said Gundrum. "Hopefully they'd recognize I'd come back and be a better public servant for my experiences."
Gundrum said so far he's received "nothing but total and unqualified support" from the people in his district regarding his military service.
At least for the current wave of deployments, Fitzgerald is the only one who will not have to worry about campaigning should he be mobilized. Fitzgerald is not up for reelection until 2006 said his assistant Thomas Rhatican, who himself just returned from a stint in Iraq.
Nass, a chief master sergeant in the Air National Guard, has first-hand experience with being deployed. Days after being sworn in, Nass was called to active duty for the first Gulf War.
Gone for about three and a half months, Nass only missed a few days of the legislative session. He said most of his constituents supported him. "They understand you're doing you're duty, that you're fighting for what they hold dear."
If deployed, these legislators will not only leave their legislative seats empty but also will have to deal with being separated from their families, likely experience a substantial pay cut and put their lives at risk. However, it's a price they're willing to pay. "It's one of the best decisions I've made in my life," said Nass. "I can't put into words the way it feels to put that uniform on. It truly is an honor."
Don't they? That is such an accurate statement. They're really the greedy, uncaring, selfish types.
The rat lost.
Where's the RAT legislator/soldiers? Just another proof of which party care about our country.
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