Twisting the Fyrst resignation

Robert Fryst's decision to endorse a Republican for state treasurer rather than the Democrat is being hailed by Republicans as akin to Zell Miller's defection from the party.

Fryst, who was treasurer of the Wisconsin Democratic party, resigned from that post to endorse incumbent Treasurer Jack Voigt, a Republican.

Not exactly earth-shaking, since about 98% of the voters don't know who Voigt is, let alone who Fryst might be.

Fryst ran for state treasurer in 2002 and was running for awhile this year, but dropped out awhile back before circulating nomination papers. Fryst said:

I was so hoping the Democratic Party of Wisconsin would produce a candidate for State Treasurer who shares our commitment to Democratic values and the Wisconsin ideal. However, that did not occur.

Once again, we have nominated a candidate for State Treasurer who does not understand the office, does not campaign effectively, and will cause injury to the reputation of the State of Wisconsin and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. I can not and will not stand by without saying so.

Who is this evil person running on the Demomcratic ticket? A woman named Dawn Sass, who was the party's nominee in 2002. Her biggest sin -- and I am guessing, because I don't know either of them personally -- was to whip Fyrst in the primary, 277.000 to 124,000. She lost the general to Voigt but made a respectable showing. She's a Milwaukee social worker and union activist. If she's done something terrible, it's news to me.

The GOP issued a silly release crowing about Fyrst's "defection" from the Dems, as though he had left the party. Apparently they missed the last line of Fyrst's letter:

I will continue to be a Democrat and to vote Democrat, save this one exception.

UPDATE: Actually, backdate. I missed this earlier post on the subject from Dave Diamond, who puts it into perspective.