Despite bluster and quotable denials, Ellis signed off on ethics package, quote

UPDATE: Ellis confesses. But he's still unhappy (natch).

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Republicans have had a few days of fun at the expense of Gov. Jim Doyle's office, gleefully quoting State Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, who trashed Doyle's new ethics package and claimed he had never agreed to support it.

WisPolitics reported:

Yesterday, Doyle rolled out an ethics reform package, including a provision to prohibit fundraising during the budget process.

But the shining moment was spoiled soon after when a key GOP supporter, Sen. Mike Ellis, knocked the package in colorful language.

Ellis continued his rant today on WTMJ-AM, telling conservative Charlie Sykes this morning that Doyle was ``the most ethically-challenged governor we've had in the 30 years I've been in the Legislature'' and that Doyle's ethics package was "B.S. from one end of his body to the other."

He said Doyle usurped ideas that he and other legislators had, put them in the package and tried to pass it off as bipartisan. Ellis said when he saw his name attached to the news release announcing the package, "It just about knocked my hairpiece off."

The RWB (Right Wing Blogosphere) was beside itself.

Charlie Sykes:

MIKE ELLIS RIPS DOYLE

Was Governor Doyle more dishonest or dumb here?

Yesterday, the panicky guv announced his "comprehensive" ethics package and that he was "joined" by State Senator Mike Ellis and others.

The release even includes what purports to be a direct quote from Ellis:

"These are important reforms that will help to ensure public confidence in government, and I'm pleased that the Governor is supporting them," Senator Ellis said. "It's essential that any meaningful ethics reform be bipartisan and the Governor's support will go a long way toward that effort. I am hopeful that, with his backing, we can win strong support in the Legislature."

But Ellis was not on board... the quote was not cleared by him... and he has now gone Ellis-style nuclear.

On my show this morning, Ellis called Doyle a liar and the "most ethically challenged" governor in history.
If you missed it (and it's a classic), click on the top audio link to the right to listen.

Then ask yourself: what were the Doyle folks thinking?

One person e-mailed a comment to the Xoff Files asking whose head would roll in Doyle's office because of this.

Well, guess what? Ellis had signed off on the quote and the proposal, as these e-mails make clear. Read from the bottom.

I assume the RWB -- along with MSM, the Main Stream Media the RWB detests -- will duly note this and correct its mistakes. And that Ellis will cement his hairpiece on.

Mark Pocan has this, too, along with his earlier explanation of what was wrong with Ellis last week: It's got to be the pain pills.
______________________________________________
From: Boerger, Michael (Legislature) [mailto:Michael.Boerger@legis.state.wi.us]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 1:41 PM
To: Henderson, Patrick - Office of Governor Jim Doyle
Subject: RE: Ethics Reform Package

Looks good, Pat.
_____________________________________________
From: Henderson, Patrick - Office of Governor Jim Doyle
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 1:02 PM
To: Boerger, Michael (Legislature)
Subject: RE: Ethics Reform Package

Mike,
Here is what we worked up. It's pretty similar so let me know what you think...
"These are important reforms that will help to ensure public confidence in government, and I'm pleased that the Governor is supporting them," said Ellis. "It's essential that any meaningful ethics reform be bipartisan and the Governor's support will go a long way toward that effort. I am hopeful that with his backing, we can win strong support in the Legislature."

Patrick Henderson
Office of Governor Jim Doyle
Legislative Director
(608) 266-1338

____________________________________________
From: Boerger, Michael (Legislature) [mailto:Michael.Boerger@legis.state.wi.us]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 8:29 AM
To: Henderson, Patrick - Office of Governor Jim Doyle
Subject: RE: Ethics Reform Package

Looks good, Pat. Sorry I missed you yesterday, but I was really out of it.
"I'm pleased to see Governor Doyle's support for these initiatives," said Ellis. "It's essential that any meaningful ethics reform be bipartisan and the Governor's support will go a long way toward that effort."
_____________________________________________
From: Henderson, Patrick - Office of Governor Jim Doyle
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 3:00 PM
To: Griffiths, Terri; Boerger, Michael (Legislature)
Subject: Ethics Reform Package

Hi Terri and Mike,

To ensure that we are all working off the same information here is what each of you told me you were comfortable supporting. Hopefully I have captured the opinion of your bosses and the Governor is comfortable with the attached package. When you have a couple quotes for us to include in the Governor's release please feel free to forward them to me. Mike I'm not sure if you and I talked about this idea of the quote but if you would be so kind as to provide us with a quote we will make sure that it is in the Governor's release along with Rep. Freese's quote to make sure that you all get credit for being a part of this as well. Thanks.
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