Weiner will still speak at Wisconsin Dem convention

Weinergate is coming to Milwaukee.
New York Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner was booked weeks ago to speak at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s annual convention, which will take place this weekend in Milwaukee.
Weiner will rally the Democratic troops in Wisconsin, even though the controversy over his Twitter account continues to dominate the national political dialog after a lewd photo of a man’s underwear-clad groin was sent by Weiner’s twitter account to a female follower.
Weiner said his account was hacked and he did not send the photo, although he said he cannot “say with certitude” that the photo was not of his groin.
Graeme Zielinski, communications director for the Wisconsin Democrats, said today that Weiner will speak as scheduled Friday night at the convention.
“Yes, he’s still coming. We wouldn’t disinvite someone based on a stupid prank. He’s one of the leading critics of Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan,” Zielinski said.
DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will headline the convention Friday night. The convention also will showcase Rob Zerban, who will be the Democratic challenger for the seat held by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville), whose controversial “Path to Prosperity” would change Medicare.
Newly elected county executives Chris Abele of Milwaukee County, Tom Nelson of Outagamie County and Joe Parisi of Dane County also will address the delegates, as will Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, the Democratic  members of the congressional delegation and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
The convention had been scheduled to be held at the Milwaukee Hyatt Regency, but was moved instead to the Frontier Airlines Center to accommodate the unprecedented large crowd expected to attend this year, Zielinski said.
“We had to. We registered close to 2,000 people,” Zielinski said. “We will at least double, maybe triple or quadruple what the Republicans had this year.”
Zielinski said this year’s event is being touted by the party leaders as the “recall convention.”
The party expects hundreds more to register at the door, as the Democrats rally to organize a recall of Republican Gov. Scott Walker and six Republican state senators.
On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, will address the crowd.
"Our 2011 convention will be charged with energy as students, women, working families, seniors and average citizens all across Wisconsin rise to support the recall movement against the divisive Scott Walker agenda," Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Mike Tate said.
– BizTimes Milwaukee