Talk of McCann retirement gives GOPdelusions of Milwaukee County grandeur

A report that Milwaukee DA E. Michael McCann may be thinking about packing it in when his term ends next year has politicos and courthouse types buzzing about possible successors.

McCann, who says he has not decided whether he will retire, appears to have given his blessing to the candidacy of one of his assistants, John Chisholm.

Republicans are talking, although it is hard to tell how seriously, about Republican radio talker Jeff Wagner, a former federal prosecutor. Wagner ran for state attorney general against Jim Doyle in 1994, losing statewide by almost 100,000 votes -- and losing Milwaukee County to Democrat Doyle 57-41% (a Libertarian got 1.4%.)

By the way, I still have my opposition research files on Wagner. Being a political pack rat has some advantages.

The conservatives argue things are different now. Scott Walker, a Republican, is the county executive -- but elected in a non-partisan election, and he squealed every time someone tried to make the 2004 race partisan. Conservative David Clarke is the sheriff, but he ran as a Democrat, and although he bashes the Dems will probably run as a Democrat again, because Republicans simply don't win partisan races in Milwaukee County.

Scott Walker tries to use his Milwaukee base to sell himself to Republican primary voters. His e-newsletter says:

Why should you support Scott Walker in the Primary?

Winning. In the past 20 years, the Republican candidate at the top of the ticket who carried Milwaukee County won statewide. In 1998, Tommy Thompson took 50% of the vote in Milwaukee County and carried 60% of the vote statewide. In 2002, Jim Doyle needed nearly 57% of the vote in Milwaukee County just to get 45% of the vote statewide. In 2004, Scott Walker received 58% of the vote in that same county. If we nominate him to face Jim Doyle, he will win. That's why the liberals are spending so much time attacking him.

Actually, Tommy and his cult of personality carried Milwaukee County twice, in 1990 against Tom Loftus, and in 1994 -- while Wagner was losing -- against Chuck Chvala, who got an anemic 31% statewide, the lowest in memory if not in history. In 1998, Tommy couldn't even carry the county against Ed Garvey, who did worse statewide than Loftus had.

Walker backers can delude themselves all they like, but he will not carry Milwaukee County in a general election for governor. He should win the GOP primary in his home county. I'd love to see Walker on the November ballot, but my money is on Mark Green to win the primary.