Who landed more punches in Friday’s debate between the candidates for governor? Republican Scott Walker mentioned how combined reporting impacted Harley-Davidson, yet the state recently offered tax incentives to keep Harley here. “You know the mayor talks about tax cuts. What he’s really ignoring is the fact that he and Governor Doyle supported a tax increase on businesses like Harley-Davidson a year and a half ago,” Walker said,
adding that had resulted in a charge to Harley of $22.5 million.
That was the third time Walker had mentioned Governor Jim Doyle. The Milwaukee County Executive has suggested repeatedly that Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee, is running for a third Doyle term. “Scott, Governor Doyle’s not running,” said Barrett. “There are two of us on this stage right now. I’m the only who ever ran against Governor Doyle. I ran against him eight years ago, and I ran against him because I thought I could do a better job. You started running against him, but you dropped out.” Barrett claimed Walker dropped out because of pressure from GOP party bosses. The mayor, trailing in most polls, hammered Walker throughout the evening on the issue of tax cuts, which Barrett claims would benefit the state’s wealthiest. It was the first debate between Barrett and Walker.