The opinions expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OnMilwaukee.com, its advertisers or editorial staff.
It’s almost time for us to breathe again and begin to hope for a miracle from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Election day is just five days away. There are five big races for most of us, and if you’ve been listening to the campaign ads, you may not bother to even vote. You’ll just wait to be out of our collective misery.
But it’s our civic duty to vote. So, to help, I’m going to offer my annual candidate guide, along with my predictions for the outcome of each race.
Now, I don’t know any more than any of you, but it’s my column.
The guide will be two sentences for each candidate. The first one is a reason to vote for the candidate. The second is a reason not to vote.
With that said, here we go.
First of all, a couple of general things to look for.
If the weather is nice, the turnout of Republican voters could be immense. Republicans don’t like bad weather, but the excitement of the presidential race may create a huge advantage for all Republicans.
For the first time in recent memory, the Wisconsin primary has become important, bringing back the good old days.
Also, with five days to go, there is still the possibility of some kind of earth shattering scandal that may well sink some candidate.
Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton
Pro: She has a world of experience, a consistent message and out of all the candidates in both parties, she is probably best prepared to be a president. Plus, she’s a woman.
Con: Ethics, and do we really want the first First Man instead of a First Lady.
Bernie Sanders
Pro: If you think our government needs to be shaken up from top to bottom, he’s the guy who is proposing some of the most profound changes you’ve ever heard.
Con: Nobody knows how he’s actually going to pay for all the free stuff he wants to give to people. Plus, he is probably older and more crotchety than your grandfather.
Analysis: This is a contest between young white voters who love Sanders and minority communities that have a strong allegiance for Clinton.
Prediction: Sanders, 52 to 48 percent.
Republican Primary
Donald Trump
Pro: The ultimate outsider who is short on policy but long on belligerence toward just about everything that is the America we currently have.
Con: It’s possible that the biggest con is the word "con."
Ted Cruz
Pro: I don’t think there is one, except if you get carried away with the "stop Trump" movement.
Con: He thinks he’s on a mission from his own perverse view of what God wants.
John Kasich
Pro: He seems like a nice guy and has remained above the mud pit that the GOP campaign is.
Con: It seems like he’s been afraid to mix it up, and nobody wants to elect a chicken.
Prediction: Trump: 50, Cruz: 40, Kasich: 10.
County Executive
Chris Abele
Pro: He is not dogmatic but pragmatic, and is clearly able to work with people on all sides of the political spectrum.
Con: He seems to have kind of a lust for power that keeps a lot of people out of the governing process. Plus, his incredible spending on his campaign seems a bit unseemly.
Chris Larson
Pro: He’s an old line Milwaukee Democrat who will follow an agenda loved by all old line liberals.
Con: He’s an old line Milwaukee Democrat who will follow an agenda loved by all old line liberals.
Analysis: A huge Republican turnout will give Abele enough votes in the suburbs to overcome Larson’s advantage in the city.
Predication: Abele, 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent
Mayor
Tom Barrett
Pro: He can take credit for the incredible growth in the development of Downtown whether he deserves it or not.
Con: The rest of the city has been pretty much ignored, especially minority communities.
Bob Donovan
Pro: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Con: Mayor? Mayor? Really?
Analysis: Even the with the huge GOP turnout, it won’t help Donovan who is running in a Democratic stronghold.
Prediction: Barrett, 60 percent to 40 percent (note: an investigation will be held into the 40 percent)
Supreme Court
Rebecca Bradley
Pro: She has shown courage (?) in the face of a string of extremely embarrassing revelations about her past.
Con: The extremely embarrassing revelations about her past.
Joanne Kloppenburg
Pro: Smart, experienced and she has a good solid paper trail of decisions that show she’s made sound, middle of the road decisions.
Con: Sometimes she sounds a little bit harsh.
Analysis: Even though Bradley has been exposed as a ultra-right-wing conservative, she will probably ride the big Republican turnout to a slim victory.
Prediction: Bradley, 51 percent to 49 percent
Bank it!
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
