Kleefisch draws fire for remarks

Gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker’s campaign has deliberately kept Republican running mate Rebecca Kleefisch, an outspoken advocate of the Tea Party, out of the limelight by not allowing her to participate in a debate against Tom Nelson, her Democratic challenger for lieutenant governor.
However, Kleefisch found some of the spotlight on her own this week, simply by speaking out on the issues.
At a public campaign appearance, Kleefisch said, “We’re poor as a state, and states can’t declare bankruptcy.”
Democrats quickly contrasted that remark with a recent report by the Greater Milwaukee Committee that the Milwaukee County government, under the direction of Walker, should consider bankruptcy as an option.
Later this week, Kleefisch caused an uproar during an interview with WVCY Christian radio, while discussing the extension of domestic partner benefits to state employees.
"We can’t at this point afford to just be handing out money to anyone. This is a slippery slope in addition to that – at what point are we going to OK marrying inanimate objects? Can I marry this table, or this, you know, this clock? Can we marry dogs? This is ridiculous," Kleefisch said.
Kleefisch later apologized for her remarks.
"My comments were meant to relay my concern with redefining marriage," Kleefisch said in a statement reported by The Associated Press. "I never intended to sound insensitive, and have the utmost respect for all people. I apologize for my poor choice of words."
Scott Walker’s communications director Jill Bader told WISN-Channel 12 today that Walker was glad Kleefisch apologized for her comments.
In response, the Barrett campaign issued the following statement: “From their opposition to life saving stem cell research to Rebecca Kleefisch’s latest comments likening those opposed to her radical dogma to dogs, Scott Walker and his running mate are without question the most extreme, far-right fringe conservatives ever to seek office in Wisconsin. Kleefisch’s apology rings hollow, and can’t hide how far out of the mainstream she and Scott Walker truly are. With views this extreme it’s no wonder she doesn’t want voters to know what she believes, and I can’t think of any other reason for her repeatedly refusing to debate me (Nelson)."
– BizTimes Milwaukee