posted 11/23/09
 

Ribble Best Conservative to Defeat Kagen


by Mark Rahmlow

It seems every time a new Republican announces for the 8th Congressional District, the local media reminds the public that U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI) has not officially declared a reelection bid.

Steve Kagen will be a candidate next year. Mostly for the same reason that western Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Ron Kind chose not to run for governor. Democratic Congressional leaders told them to run again. With job losses expected to go above 11 percent by end of 2010, the Democrats only hope is the power of incumbency. Leaving swing districts like Kind’s and Kagen’s “open” would result in automatic losses.

For the first time, in a very long time, Wisconsin conservatives have every reason to be excited about their likely Republican candidates in the 3rd, 7th, and 8th Districts. This is especially true in the 8th Congressional District where Kaukauna roofer Reid Ribble is running hard to defeat Steve Kagen. Ribble refers to himself as a “reluctant Republican”. Most conservatives relate to that statement.

In a campaign that will focus almost exclusively on jobs, Kagen is going to have a hard time convincing the unemployed he’s in their camp. Unemployment is climbing, not abating. $250 million worth of “stimulus” was spent in the 8th Congressional District and only created 351 jobs. Ribble will be able to point to those statistics as a way of highlighting Steve Kagen’s poor judgment.

As a business owner, Ribble has managed his company’s resources frugally. While Kagen is supporting policies that further drive the country into debt and make it harder for businesses to create jobs, the Kaukauna Republican has created new construction jobs during the past year through sound business practices. It’s a contrast that will stand out in the upcoming campaign. And no other Republican candidate could better articulate this fiscally conservative message in 2010.

On Taxes: “A flat tax would improve the citizens understanding of tax law, increase revenue to the government, and minimize special interest money’s impact on policy. Right now the tax code is hopelessly complex. The complexity was highlighted recently as we watched first hand one Obama appointee after another having tax reviews that came back unfavorably. If the Secretary of the Treasury couldn’t do his taxes correctly what does that say about the system?” Ribble told Inside Scoop writer Carl Soderberg.

On Budgets: “Meeting a budget, making payrolls, meeting deadlines and product standards for 20 years is something that government only wishes it could accomplish. It’s something that has yet to happen in Congress - a government program that’s under budget, on time, and more effective than initially intended. But that’s what I’ve done as a successful small business owner”, he continued.

On Jobs: “I believe that the economy is best able to grow when the government takes less out of it. Each dollar the government “redirects” is a dollar that would have naturally been used in the free market system to improve productivity, employ people and provide a service”, Ribble said.

This writer has had an opportunity to meet with Reid Ribble and found the candidate to be a tremendous conservative who shares the values of 8th District voters. Reid understands that lower taxes, not massive government spending and debt, will be an essential component to any lasting economic recovery. And he is building the necessary campaign structure to organize the grassroots and raise funds to communicate his message of fiscal responsibility to the entire district.

Radio Personality Sean Hannity launched a website with the theme “Conservative Victory 2010”. He better add Reid Ribble to that list.


Rahmlow, once a radio personality, is a former field director for Tim Michels U.S. Senate campaign, and served as Terri McCormick’s Campaign Manager in 2005-2006. He also interned for former State Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) and is a regular contributor to The Inside Scoop.