Elect Sandy Sullivan Wisconsin Secretary of State

Good bye!

2006-11-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

Election Day - Tuesday, November 7, 2006

There isn’t a whole lot to do on Election Day other than clip your toenails and wash your brush and your comb. You wait around all day not knowing what is going to happen and there are no results reported until the polls begin to close at 8:00 P.M.

Towards evening, my friend Carmen Clark came down from Madison to spend the evening with me, and my daughter Kerry came from Madison, also. We met at a friend’s house and we all went to Racine to say hello to Congressman Paul Ryan, who we knew would be victorious. His party was at the Marriot in Racine.

Then we went to visit Perfecto Rivera, who was up against Gwen Moore, Congresswoman from the 5th District, at Desperados Restaurant in Milwaukee. He had some wonderful Mexican food for all the guests. We were hoping for Perfecto to win but he didn’t have a very good chance with Gwen because she is very hard to beat. At least he was in there trying.

Then we went to Flannery’s in downtown Milwaukee to visit Sheriff David Clarke and his friends in the Democratic race—I just wanted to say hello. Sheriff Clarke walked away with over 200, 000 votes. That is amazing! I was so thrilled that almost everyone in that room—and they were all Democrats—said they had voted for me, even Sheriff Clark and his whole family. What an honor!

So, by the time we got to the GOP Waukesha victory party, I didn’t realize that the AP had already named Mark Green the loser and Jim Doyle the winner. And the writing was on the wall that I would lose, also. They suddenly asked me to come up to speak and I didn’t realize the results were almost all in so I talked as though we were winning and I am sure many felt that I was out of my mind.

I will always recall the sick feeling I had in the pit of my stomach when the results came. However, it was another hour before they called my race and said that LaFollette had won. I kept thinking that some great miracle was going to happen and the tides would change--I would win! I guess that is called never giving up hope.

Eventually I made the obligatory phone call to Mr. Lafollette, to wish him well. I hope I did it graciously. I pray that he does well and that he is mindful that he needs to be more visible to the people and try to extend himself to them. I hope he realizes that he was elected because of a tremendous Democratic turnout protesting the war and not because of him.

I received almost 800,000 votes, which equals about 20 percent of the population voted for me. I am honored. I was thrilled to receive 38% of the vote for the first time out, and against a 28-year incumbent. Everybody said my showing was really good, especially considering the media smears.

So I experienced a loss, but it was truly a win because I learned so much from the campaign.

I also want to point out that so much goes into electioneering, so much hard work. Yet, when you look at the overall picture, all the candidates—-no matter what party-—they all work very hard trying to get elected. When it’s over, we all look at each other, we shake hands, we say “OK, all the mud has been slung, all the arrows have been shot,” but we remain Americans. Then we sit down and say, “Now, where do we go from here? Let’s move on; let’s get busy; let’s go to work.” I think that’s the greatest part of this country—we realize our differences, we acknowledge that the people have spoken, we agree in part that we must work together, so we roll up our sleeves and go to work. We are Americans! God bless us all!

So this is almost the end of my campaign blog. I was defeated by about 300,000 votes. I am rather proud of those numbers. Though I was defeated for the office of Secretary of State, I think I am a winner. I was brave, I fought the good fight and I’m still here.

Tomorrow is filled with possibilities. There’s always another election if I should choose to run. But for now I can truly say that I am victorious and have gained so much in this effort. I won because I exercised my rights as a citizen to join in and go through this marvelous process. I realize that few people have the stamina, desire or will to run for office and I have developed a new-found respect for all who take on the challenge. God bless them! The public has little idea of the sacrifice that is made on their behalf.

Though I do not relish the defeat, I am rejuvenated by the lessons I have learned and can not wait to try another endeavor where I can put this learning to use. So, it’s time to say adieu and it’s time for me to now figure out (Hello, Sandy!) what I am going to do with the rest of my life. Any ideas?

Tomorrow I will name and thank the wonderful people who played such a great part in this adventure as each need to be recognized. But forgive me please if I put this off until tomorrow. Right now this weary candidate needs to rest.

“What’s that you just said? You say I’m a winner?” Oh yes, my friends--I know!
Thank you!

-Sandy Sullivan

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
-- Thomas Jefferson

2006-11-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

With Jean Hundertmark, Wisconsin's next Lt. Governor!

Food and festivities on the campaign trail

2006-11-06T19:11:00.001-08:00

Monday, Nov. 6 - I’ve didn’t sleep very well last night because most of yesterday I went without food and when I got home I was so hungry I sat down to a wonderful, wonderful dinner with chicken and noodles and ate too much. So I went to bed and didn’t sleep well.

I’ve got to tell you, my friends, about the campaign trail and eating. It is so funny that you can go all day long and think you are going to go to a fundraiser toward evening and they will have good food. So, the day you didn’t get anything to eat, you end up at a fundraiser that is only serving cheese and crackers.

Well, the next day you say “Oh my goodness, I can’t do that again,” so you make it a point to eat all day and then they have this gorgeous repast and you can’t eat it because you are so stuffed. So you don’t eat much the next day and it just cycles around.

Because I had eaten that delicious food late last night, I had the craziest dream. I dreamed my old boss gave me a job and took it away from someone else. They were very upset about it, but I did great work at the new job. I’m sure there is a connection between that and the election—the boss being the people of Wisconsin and the job being the secretary of state office.

It’s funny how the unconscious mind can transform events, or what you are thinking, and weave them into new scenarios.

Sandy poised to snatch voters' food in Manitowoc

Anyhow, today we got into the car and we made it to Kimberly by 11:00 this morning. We went to a place called the Lincoln Inn. Mark Green had a big Republican rally and there were 200-300 people there. It was just great!

Jack Voight, our state treasurer, was the master of ceremonies and there were a couple of other fellows officiating who I didn’t know.

I was asked to come up and speak. Jack forgot I was in the room again and I felt like saying, “Well, gee Jack. You’ve got to remember me because my job is going to be almost as important as your job is,” but I didn’t say that.

At Green Rally in Kimberly, WI

Then when I spoke to the audience and got half way through my speech, they thought Mark Green was coming and cut me off right in the middle of my speech. Mark didn’t show up for a long time, so we got out the back door and went to the next place, which was Manitowoc at the Perkins Restaurant.

There again it was jammed full of people! Our wonderful Senator Joe Liebham was there—that’s his district, of course—and he is such a charming young man.

I got to meet a lot of people—businessmen, manufacturers—a lot of people, and it was a wonderful, wonderful day. I got a phone call tonight from my friend Mr. McDonald, who is called Bubba, and Bubba said everybody really liked me and he was glad I came. So I was grateful for that.

Then we came back to Milwaukee. Remember, we’re staying ahead of Mark Green wherever he is going and we leave when he arrives. So we got down to the Milwaukee County Republican headquarters, and it was jammed way out onto Greenfield Avenue! We waited and waited and everyone talked and cheered.

Congressman Sensenbrenner was there and Jean Hundertmark was there, Scott Walker, Alberta Darling—a stage full of people who are either trying to be elected or already elected officials. Rick Bass was there, along with Perfecto Rivera.

Everybody was hugging and kissing and everybody was very excited. I understand that when a rally is very pumped up and fired up and when that many people show up it is a very, very good sign for an election. Everybody has the vibes that Mark Green is going to win this—we know he will.

There was a blind man right in the front row, and I kind of pointed him out to Mark Green and he came down and said hello to the man. He was very concerned that his blind vote, which is done by audio when you go in, was not correct when he went and did the test on this particular machine. So we arranged for someone to go to the polling place with him tomorrow in Cudahy to make sure his vote is done properly and that it counts. Apparently when he did a test, he put some words in and named certain people, but when the test came back it was not at all what he had said. So there is a discrepancy and we are going to look into that in the morning. The man’s name is Vern Lind and he lives in Cudahy. He was so enthused and so grateful that we were going to help him get his vote in.

So the very important message of this story—of Vern, of all the candidates, and all the happy and charged up and excited people we’ve seen while stumping in the last 48 hours—the message is that every single vote is important. It reminds me of what my amazing and wonderful campaign chair, Mark Block, said his mentor used to tell him—That the way to win an election is to get lots of votes in the cities, lots of votes in the rural areas, and lots of votes in the small towns. It’s been a long trek around the state going after those votes, but if today is any indication, we have really connected with the wonderful, wonderful people of Wisconsin.

So, everybody, I’m going to say goodnight. I’m very tired—and this is my last blog before election day!

You are going to vote tomorrow, and whoever you vote for, it’s your choice. That’s what it’s all about. We live in America.

Thanks everybody! Call all your family and friends and neighbors—get everyone out to vote tomorrow. Don’t forget the college students, who seem to have the lowest voter turnout of all. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and each and every one of our votes counts.

Love,

- Sandy

Kids for Sandy Sullivan campaign chairman

2006-11-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

Stumping by caravan

2006-11-05T21:31:00.001-08:00

Greeting the people at Mark Green Rally in Pewaukee

Sunday, Nov. 5 – Ben Saunier, my campaign manager, picked us up at 1:00. We went to the Birchwood Grill in Kenosha, off Route 50. That was really fun because Mark Green followed us. Our plan was that we would go to all of these rallies just before Mark Green got there and pass out brochures and stickers. From there we went to Racine, to the Charcoal Grill on Washington Avenue, and we did the same thing and met a lot of people.

This was all transpiring while the Packer game was going on.

The Charcoal Grill was just packed with Republicans. I didn’t know there were so many Republicans. It was fun going around talking to each person, shaking their hand, putting a sticker on them, and giving them a brochure. That happened at each and every place, of course—and we went to several establishments.

It was great to meet the people, to talk to the people, and to put a Sullivan sticker on them—everybody was so friendly. I had a wonderful time!

When we left Racine, we traveled up Highway 94 to Greenfield to stop at Kopps Custard Stand, put a lot of stickers on a lot of people, and had a nice talk with Representative Mark Honadel and his lovely wife Gail. Representative Jeff Stone treated everyone to ice cream, which was fabulous. (Stumping all day, I don't always get much to eat!)

In Greenfield with the Honadels

Then on to Pewaukee for the rally for Mark Green. It was held at a place called the Bucks Rub. It’s a sportsmen’s building where they obviously sell guns—I think they have archery target practice—it’s a really unique place. I’ve seen it many times from the highway but I didn’t know what it was.

It was a fantastic rally with many, many people--I would say a couple hundred people. I got to speak, which was really fun for me because sometimes I don’t get to talk. I had prepared a little speech, which everyone seemed to like. And then the elected officials spoke. And then of course J.B. Van Hollen came and James Sensenbrenner and then Mr. Sensenbrenner, our Congressman, introduced Mark Green—our next governor!

From Bucks Rub we went to the town of West Bend, where we had an outdoor rally near the Washington County Republican Party headquarters. The people who spoke went up on the steps outside a lovely old brick building. I was asked to speak and it was so fortunate that I had just spoken at Waukesha because just a few minutes later I was able to give the same speech and even improve on it. I am beginning to realize what a difference being a capable public speaker makes for a public official. Our current secretary of state simply can’t do this level of political activity—or at least he hasn’t in 28 years!

As Mark Green approached we kind of snuck around, got in the car, and went to the next rally, which was in Ozaukee County, at Nisleit’s Country Inn in Port Washington. There was a packed house. It was indoors. And it was wonderful—as always. The people are just great. And they waited for Mark Green with such anticipation. I told them that in a few minutes a great treat was going to come down the road and they would be so happy about it. I gave my speech again and everyone seemed to like it. So now we’re on the road—we’ve been at this now for about 12 hours straight through.

We did get ice cream and a hot dog and so I suppose we will live until another day.

One more day! One more day!

- Sandy

Sandy's election night schedule

2006-11-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

6:30 P.M. Racine Marriott with Congressman Paul Ryan

7:30 P.M. Milwaukee, Desparado with Perfecto Rivera.

8:00 P.M. Flannery's with Sheriff David Clarke.

8:30 P.M. Country Springs, Waukesha

Interviews call: 262-617-2716

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W-House and the Badger game

2006-11-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Nov. 4 – I got up early in the morning, and knew that I wanted to get to the Wisconsin Badger football game where we could pass out brochures and stickers and talk to the people before the game. So I got ready and jumped into my car, but when I got into Madison, the traffic on Johnson Drive slowed down to a crawl. So we started late.

It probably wouldn’t have mattered when we got started because of the traffic jam. We had a hard time coordinating, although thank God for cell phones. We all met at one spot and we had a driver who carried us into the mob, dropped us off, and then when we were finished, we called up and that driver picked us up again.

I want to thank my friend Carmen Clark, who was with me through this entire day and also my daughter Kerry, who helped.

It was really fun.

When we got outside the W-house where my daughter had lived, many of her friends still lived there. The porch was full of people. Someone came up to ask me for a brochure and then asked for a sticker. She wanted to know more about me, and when she and her friend found out I was Kerry’s mom, it was pandemonium. They grabbed brochures and they grabbed stickers--and the whole bunch of about 20 people on the porch was ready to help me. That was fun. Of course a lot of people had a little to drink, so I told some of them, “Please don’t read the brochure until tomorrow so you can see it for sure.”

- Sandy

Meeting wonderful young people at Whitewater

2006-11-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Nov. 4 - On Friday I journeyed to Whitewater. There I met up with Greg Torres and many of his volunteers at the Drumlin Cafeteria on the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater campus.

I gave out brochures and talked to a lot of students, and was very pleased with the way I was treated and with the enthusiasm of these students. You know, they are very bright! They want to know what’s going on. Again I repeat as I have at other times on this blog, how excited I am that the world will be left to these young people who are so enthusiastic, not only about their lives, but also about their country and their politics. They want good people to run and they want good people to serve as leaders. They want good people they can look up to and admire, and I hope I fill that bill.

I’m on my way right now to Madison to hand out brochures and stickers at the Badger game! On Wisconsin! It’s Saturday. Go, Wisconsin, go!

-Sandy

Youth, government, and elective office

2006-11-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

Thursday – Nov. 2 - Well, my friends, I guess it was bound to happen that I had a little illness. I was sick part of the night and I’m sure it was just from too much running around and campaigning.

Anyhow, I felt better this morning and got up rather early, started doing e-mail, started calling people, and doing follow-up as usual.

I am very proud to have so many people—the true “good people of Wisconsin”—sending donations and cheering me on. Thank you! We need every nickel, but we can do this! As a grass-roots candidate running against a 28-year incumbent, it’s important to get my name out. People all around the state have been going to sandysullivan.org and donating whatever they can, which is so important for publicity as election day approaches. Thank you so very much, everyone!

Now isn’t that ironic--that a few people want to abolish the secretary of state office, while the rest of us are thinking there needs to be more democracy, more participation, more discussion of important issues in our state and more input to state government? Grass-roots campaigns need to be funded so we can even the playing field, but those funds are already there from the income tax checkoff. It’s a voluntary dollar donation—the change we need is to make it more possible for new candidates to qualify.

Anyway, Thursday evening I was invited to be part of “Meet the Candidates” at Chadbourne Hall on the UW campus, so I went there. Several candidates attended, including Doug LaFollette. We exchanged phone numbers so we could make the obligatory call on election night. (I understand that is customary.) It was a very lovely evening. The students put on a great spread of food and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

After that, I was setting up to be on the Jessica McBride radio show on WTMJ, still on the road, shortly before 9 p.m. when someone called and said Ms. McBride would not be able to have me on. We were very disappointed with her second last-minute cancellation. It takes some planning to find a quiet place on the road, get set up with a decent phone, and prepare to talk. I have a lot of respect for Ms. McBride and felt honored by her invitation to be on the show.

Next, I went out to visit my daughter briefly and now I’m trekking back to Milwaukee so I can start right up again at the campaign office in the morning.

I want to share one more thought on elected office. When the people have a say, candidates come to ask for their votes. But when candidates come to voters to listen and to ask for their input, government is bound to get better. I have learned so much about issues and people’s concerns and needs from crossing the state and spending time with the real people in our towns and cities. After all, it’s the people who experience daily life in Wisconsin--from the Republican women of Brown County and other party groups, to elected officers in the court houses. Entrepreneurs, senior citizens, paper workers, farmers, students and teachers--that’s a pipeline our appointed officers don’t tap into as they walk around the capitol. They deal with lobbyists or professional politicians and other administrators. They don’t have to talk to or answer to anyone outside their world. (I don’t think editors talk to the real people much, either. J )

Anyhow, tomorrow’s another day and we’re on the countdown, folks!

-Sandy

Meeting the people at WPS - Madison

2006-11-02T04:59:00.000-08:00

2006-11-02T04:39:00.000-08:00

Monday, Nov. 1 – I left home at 6:30 a.m., headed to Madison for an 11:00 meeting and then to WPS insurance company on West Broadway in Madison for “Meet the Candidates.” Most of the candidates were there, giving out information and answering questions. I had a lot of fun talking with the people.

After “Meet the Candidates” I was interviewed by a reporter from the Wisconsin State Journal, Susan Lampert Smith. Some pictures were taken and from there I went to Monroe. We went to the chamber, to the newspaper, and to the court house. We then journeyed to Darlington and returned to the campaign office after dark.

These days are long and stressful because the election is so close and we are trying to get out the word in whatever way we can. But it still is a great experience to be able to go directly to the people to ask them to vote me into office. I am fully qualified to carry out the secretary of state duties and eager to develop the office to its full capacity after all these years.

-Sandy

2006-11-02T04:34:00.000-08:00

A candid moment at the Green rally, Mitchell Field.
Mark Green (left) and Tommy Thompson (right).

Tuesday, Oct. 31 - This afternoon, after I worked most of the day in the office, we headed down to the airport, to Mitchell Field, for a rally for Mark Green, who will be our next governor. Thank God they had a private room inside because it was so cold and windy out! We all convened at the private terminal.

There was a big crowd assembled and all the Milwaukee TV stations were covering the rally. Scott Walker, the Milwaukee County Executive, introduced Mark Green. Mark Green spoke and then he introduced Tommy Thompson. Tommy Thompson was in rare form. He looked great; he sounded great; he had a great message. The rally was not long, but it was energizing.

Hello, my dear faithful friends! Thank you for following my trail through this interesting part of life—the candidacy for secretary of state. I again had a very busy day but I am doing different things now. I’m staying closer to the office, contacting people who I think may help me at the last minute, still trying to raise funds, and sending thank-you notes, of course.

After the Green rally, we went to downtown Waukesha, to a birthday party for the executive director of Waukesha County, Dan Vrakas. What a delightful time! His mom was there, they had Greek food, and it was held in The Rotunda, which is one of the older buildings in downtown Waukesha—an absolutely beautiful building. It was built as a post office, then it became a bank, and now it can be used for private functions. It was a beautiful party.

Then I went back to the office and back to work again. I sent out a lot of e-mails and did a lot of catch-up work. I tried to go to bed early because I was up early this morning—but it was a delightful day.

-Sandy

2006-10-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

Money and the power of the press

2006-10-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

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Tuesday, Oct. 31 - WOW! I said about half way through this ride down the campaign trail that it is a shame more funds are not set aside to help grass-roots candidates, since they can be seriously under-funded.

So, this is what grass roots campaigning is all about—money? Amazing!

I was fooled. I thought grass roots meant political ideas and leaders coming from the regular people—refreshing the political order for the greater good. Is that something I dreamed?

How does one get the word out without money? Duh!

I did not realize grassroots really means starting with no seed money and operating with little or no money at all.

Mr.LaFollette, my opponent, has a famous last name and years of incumbency. He is famous for spending little money on his campaign, but he has a different kind of currency.

I have even heard that the media, especially television, gouges the candidates with increased rates for campaign commercials. Shameful! It is difficult enough to run a statewide campaign without having additional expenses.

There are very good reasons to retire Doug LaFollette now—not later. And it is frustrating to know I am the most suited and by far the most ambitious and energetic person for the job, but not budgeted to let the world know about it. I can succeed at changes where Douglas has failed because I am more able to gain the cooperation of people in and out of government. He is marginalized and ineffectual—and has been for decades.

I don’t have war chest, but I have received name recognition for my book. Yet, the inaccuracy of that publicity has fooled some of the public into false ideas about me. In striking up a bandwagon of criticism, most of the media and their “educated” audiences forgot that truth, proof, and documentation are what voters need. Many members of the press never read my book and never knew the difference when it was billed as a “tell all” sex story—but that ignorance didn’t stop their tongues from wagging. For shame! Not very intelligent for those who profess to be educated or to educate others!

For example, I was asked to be on Fox News (“The Big Story”). They asked me to send the book to them overnight so they could peruse it. It cost me a small fortune to get it to the airport to for overnight delivery. The Fox producers had told me I would have 3-4 minutes on the air (probably long enough to paint me as a Jezebel) but when they received the book and found no scandalous account of “sexual trysts,” they cut me to 1 minute. They saw it was a tastefully worded and dignified account of a woman’s life struggle and ultimate triumph. What does this incident say about the mentality of the media--let alone their audience?

Mr. La Follette holds a Ph.D., which ought to make him a scholar and conscientious about what he says. Yet in an October 27 candidate interview on Channel 3000, he said, “She certainly got a lot of notoriety, but I am quite sure that the good people of Wisconsin understand that having sexual trysts with professional football players doesn't really qualify a person for a constitutional office.”

La Follette said that he hadn't read the book and didn't plan to—but that didn’t stop him from ignoring my real qualifications and deliberately distorting my bid for office.

The good people of Wisconsin are not ignorant. The shameful outcome would be if the good people of Wisconsin were stuck for four more years with a career politician with no ability or desire to upgrade his office and a 28-year record of featherbedding and throwing away his legitimate leadership duties.

- Sandy

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Will any other SOS candidates please come forward?

2006-10-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Oct. 29 - Hello, campaign watchers! This is your highly qualified, candidate :) reporting in to tell you what I did today.

Today is Sunday and I journeyed into the inner city of Milwaukee where I was a guest at the Metropolitan Baptist Church. I came at about 10:30 in the morning to meet the people, and then we started the service, which lasted until 1:30. It was inspiring--it brought me to tears! There were young people singing and babies—2 and 3 years old—all were part of the service. They had an excellent preacher and lovely people.

They asked all the visitors to stand, so I stood up with the others and then they let me come to the front. I told my story just briefly after saying who I was. Then they thanked me—everyone clapped after I spoke because I was a little bit emotional telling them that I was so grateful to be there.

This was so cute--after I sat down the preacher said, “Thank you, Sandy" and then he said, “Now we are obligated to do this. Is there anyone else in the church who is running for Secretary of State? Will you please come forward?”

And of course the whole congregation laughed.

It was such a nice service and it was a gorgeous day outside, so after church I got into my car, turned on the Packer game, and just took a ride down to the lakefront. Then I made my way back to New Berlin and went to work on some of the campaign projects that need to be done—sending e-mails, asking for donations and what have you.

And I’m tired again tonight!

-Sandy

Looking forward to helping Kim

2006-10-30T16:07:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Oct. 28 - Saturday morning I woke up at 3:30 in the morning and couldn’t sleep, so I went over to the computer and spent three hours working in the middle of the night. Then I thought I'd lie down for a few minutes. At 6:30 the phone rang to tell me I needed to get ready to go to Community Brainstorming, an excellent public affairs gathering in Milwaukee. Yikes!

Well, Kathleen Falk was there, along with Barb Lawton and Sheriff David Clarke. I had the thrill of telling the people what Barry Orton said on former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin’s blog that I was the first Republican they were endorsing (see the actual words in the blog comment on my Oct. 26 blog).

After the meeting, some people came up to me and asked, “What can we do to help you?”

I was invited to two African-American churches tomorrow in the heart of the city. I can’t wait to meet the people Sunday, and I met super, super people today. One was named Kim. She has a home where she has helped, to this point, 480 pregnant teenage girls and their babies establish a new life for themselves and have a chance in this world. I promised her that I will go in to her home and help her with those girls, as often as I can. I want to help teach them and do whatever I can do to build their self-esteem and self-confidence.

So I came home and didn’t realize how tired I was. I slept and then went out and tried to buy a few things I would need, since I expect to be very busy the week before the election.

-Sandy

Thank you, Deborah Ann Speckmann!

2006-10-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

Folks, I tried to find this on the madison.com pages so I could refer you via link, but apparently the State Journal doesn't publish letters to the editor on the web. I hope it's OK to type it up and show you below this important letter in the Wisconsin State Journal from Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Deborah Speckmann brings up such an important point. Doug LaFollette seems to feel entitled to a paycheck and was more than willing to give away responsibilities of the office over the years to make the check easier to get. Who else gets paid to do less and less? Our state needs more and more from its leaders, as everyone feels the crunch of the economy and rising demands on government and its people.

What if this ineffectual and bureaucratic man became governor??? But--worse than that at the moment-- what if he became secretary of state again? What a waste of taxpayer dollars. And the tragedy: people think the office is outdated and impotent when it's really the man who's held it down for so long.

My blogs often tell about my experience, but the important thing is that each resident of the state of Wisconsin has a stake in having Sandy Sullivan in office. You know I will work hard to promote the state, to raise important public issues, and to use my talents to create and carry out a vision of what the office and government can do better through my contributions. I ask you--what has Doug LaFollette contributed that his staff could not have done on their own (and possibly did on their own)?

Here is what Ms. Speckmann had to say. So when I say "thanks," it's really thanks for her valuing of this office and what it should be doing. -Sandy

***********Headline: Time for Change to Sullivan

Wisconsin's secretary of state is third in line for succession to the governor's office. It's been relegated to a highly-paid clerk's position, and the current office holder has a "right to hold office because it's mine" attitude, which has nothing to do with the caliber of the performance. Riding on the name of a true state hero is not entitlement to the office.

People seem to accept this state of affairs for politicians, yet they will subject themselves to a different standard in the workplace. Aren't all working people of Wisconsin to be judged by like measures in order to maintain their own jobs? Will Douglas LaFollette, the current job-holder, be a viable governor if it becomes necessary?

Sandy Sullivan has an expanded vision for the office. She stands for cooperation with other units of governmnet to re-establish ethics and integrity by reviewing the work of those responsible for the maintenance of ethics, integrity and elections and ultimately to oversee these functions. Consider voting for Sullivan for secretary of state. We deserve action, not the status quo.

-Deborah Ann Speckmann, Madison

Sandy on Channel 3 - Madison 6 p.m. tonight

2006-10-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

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Look for Sandy on the 6 p.m. news tonight (Friday, Oct. 27)

Channel 3 - WISC TV

Joel DeSpain interview

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I love you, Barry Orton--wherever you are!

2006-10-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to have supporters--and even endorsers--from each political party. Some are celebreties and some are anonymous wonderful people. Sometimes they find me looking (as a grass-roots candidate) for where to stand and where to meet the people and they point the way. One even bought me a hot cup of coffee and a scone and told me where to stand--but that was a very special Dem I didn't even know.

Yesterday, on October 25, I had quite a thrill related to this! My press secretary sent me a link to the Paul Soglin blog, "Paul Soglin: Waxing America." And there on the page, in an article about all the sports figures in the Wisconsin political campaigns, was a wonderful statement--and an endorsement (I think) for ME!!!

From the article at this site:
http://www.waxingamerica.com/2006/10/wisconsin_sport.html

here is the part about the secretary of state campaign:

"So Doyle's got the hero of the 1950's on his side, and Green's got the late 1960's covered.

"But wait: there's more. Bart Starr is also supporting Republican secretary of state candidate Sandy Sullivan, calling her "a reliable, as well as remarkable candidate..." Better yet, Sullivan's self-published book claims that she had an early 1960's affair with Packers great Paul Hornung. The book's forward has Hornung stating Sullivan was a "carefree, fun-loving girl who fit right in with me and the rest of the 'Pack.' " Sullivan's book also claims a 60's-era relationship with Packer linebacker Dan Currie. This juicy stuff has gotten Sullivan on CNN, Fox News, ESPN, MSNBC, and all over the Wisconsin media. But the best is her blog, which she clearly writes herself. The account of her campaign swing through Rice Lake, Haugen, Spooner, Shell Lake, Cumberland, and Turtle Lake with Packers giant Fuzzy Thurston has convinced WaxingAmerica to make its first GOP endorsement.

"Sorry, Doug LaF. Sandy Sullivan for Wisconsin Secretary of State. Fuzzy Thurston can't be wrong."

- Barry Orton

On the air - Bob &Tom Show WSAU-AM Wausau

2006-10-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

Being there - and other forms of stewardship

2006-10-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Oct. 25 – The candidate had a very busy day today. We left New Berlin to go to Wausau very early this morning, which entailed rising at 4:30 a.m. I thought I was going to make very good use of the time driving up to Wausau--I was going to make all these calls and all these notes—but I had never stopped to think the sun would not come up until after six. So there I was riding along in the dark and not being able to see my notes. I had to wait until after sunrise, which was indeed after six or 6:15. We were half way to Wausau before I could call anyone.

We went right to radio station WSAU, to the Pat Snyder show, and I was only supposed to be on the Pat Snyder show for about 15 minutes.

I guess I was on a roll. He said, “Do you have to leave?” and I said no. So I talked and I talked and I talked.

I was on the air for 45 minutes.

They just let me talk, and it was the first time I had the opportunity to tell the whole story. As many know, when I was on the national and world-wide networks, they gave me a minute or two and I don’t get to tell the entire story. This time I had a chance to explain about my book, why I entered this race, what I learned from it, and even my family background.

I was so thrilled because when I called my first cousins in Wausau, Ollie and Sid Keyler and Jamie Lemke, after the show, I found out Ollie had listened to every word. She is an English teacher, and she said, “I listened to everything you said and I want you to know that your elocution was absolutely perfect.”

I got the biggest bang out of that.

They wanted to come and see me but we were going to the West Woods Conference Center for “Meet and greet the candidates.”

I was also very pleased to meet the other candidates. The event was held at the WPS building, high on the hill overlooking Wausau. I had the privilege of meeting Senator Herb Kohl, who had taken the time to come and make himself available to the public. I understand that Kathleen Falk got lost--and I can understand why. But I was extremely surprised that Douglas LaFollette wasn’t there, It was an opportunity for him to meet some of his constituents, but he didn’t show. I was even looking forward to that.

We left Wausau after the program and stopped in at the Wausau Green headquarters to make a few calls and say hello. We then headed down to Madison where I went to the student union theater at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and listened to Ted Nugent.

That was a real treat for me because, man, this guy puts it right were it is. And I liked it because he expressed pretty much the way I feel, except he said it a little bit differently from me. He was introduced by Vicki McKenna who I just adore.

Now, as I dictate, we are on the way back to Milwaukee and will be heading back to Madison tomorrow—so I’ll catch up with you again then.

I do want to return to one topic. I had an opportunity on that radio show today to speak on stewardship. I thought it was a nice time to talk about our forests and taking care of our forests.

It reminded me of when I first learned of stewardship. I lived in Connecticut and somewhere in Westport my friends lived in a very, very old colonial home. They were forever fixing it up and I didn’t quite understand why they were sinking lots of money into their old house. Yet, of course, that’s what they do in Yankee country. So, when I asked my friend Dottie why she did that, she said, “Oh, Sandy, it isn’t our house. We are just stewards taking care of it for the next owners.”

They were preserving it. And that’s the way I’ve come to feel about the state of Wisconsin, its forests, and even our state government. We are taking care of them for the next owners and users. Take, for example, the office of secretary of state. Whoever is in that role needs to be the steward of what our forefathers planned that office to be. They did not plan it to do nothing. We were always an industrious people and we still need to be an industrious people. The office is no relic of the nineteenth century; yet, it has to be renewed, refreshed--its responsibilities and powers maintained and adapted to new times.

Today I spoke about our forests in Northern Wisconsin—about how the land is owned by so many of the people who understand the difference between preservation and conservation. They are stewards of the land and of the timber. They realize it’s a crop that needs to be rotated--like corn, only it grows a little slower. The forests are there for our use and we need to use them—albeit wisely and carefully. We are responsible to take care of them, conserve them, and to rotate the crop. We have to get ourselves and the dead wood out of the way for the next generation.

As I came out of Ted Nugent’s forum, I was approached by a radio man—and so I was interviewed by another Wisconsin station.

Such is the life of a real-live candidate. I could not stand to become a fossil—or to claim stewardship in an overgrown forest.

-Sandy

2006-10-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

On the Pete Ferrand show, WRJN - Racine

Diana Alvear and luncheon hosts at Christ the King Church

Tuesday, Oct. 24 - I left Milwaukee and traveled to Combined Locks, to Christ the King Church, where I was to speak at a luncheon. I was invited there by my friends, Nancy and Roy Peterson. This is a beautiful non-denominational church at 601 South Washington Street in Combined Locks. It was a full house. The food was absolutely out of this world—as church potluck dinners usually are, but this one was exceptionally good. They had two whole tables of desserts. It was fabulous.

A lot of pictures were taken. I was so surprised. We sent out a press release and Channel 12 NBC affiliate from Green Bay sent down a gorgeous, gorgeous reporter named Diana Alvear. She interviewed me and it was a great interview. The camera man was wonderful. I’m not sure if they aired it, but they were the ones who showed up. And that Diana—I’m sure she will not be in Green Bay very long. They need to really make an effort to hold onto her, or at least appreciate her while she’s there, because she’s absolute dynamite.

And then we hurried back to Racine, where we had an opportunity to be on the radio with Pete Farrand (WRJN Racine). And then we went home and my friend Janelle had a hot dinner waiting for us. It was scrumptious—and she kept calling, “Where are you? Where are you? It’s getting cold!” But it was like Mom calling me home and I loved it.

-Sandy

Citizens for Responsible Government

Monday, Oct. 23 – I spent most of today trying to catch up on e-mails and personal business. In the evening I went to a lovely get-together at the Wells Fargo Building on 7^th and Wisconsin Avenue for a group called CRG – Citizens for a Responsible Government.

Scott Walker, the Milwaukee the county executive, was the featured speaker. He was just wonderful. He gave us a little idea of what it takes to get into a great position and to help the people. He told us a little bit of his personal history and how he happened to become the county executive. As many know, Scott Walker at one point intended to run for governor and stepped down so that Mark Green could run.

I believe in my heart that Scott Walker will some day be governor or a senator or go very, very, far in politics because he has all the right stuff. I am getting ready for an early morning phone call, so I’ll say goodnight.

-Sandy

In studio Oct. 21 setting up for Fox "Big Story"

2006-10-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Oct 22 - I was certainly lucky on Friday afternoon that I had made an appointment to get my hair colored. You know, the fellows in these races don’t have as high maintenance as we ladies do. So it was just in the nick of time because at 4:00 I got a call telling me that I would be on Fox News Network the next day on Saturday. And I was ready because my hair was done!

Saturday morning we went to the GOP fall fest in Bloomington and almost all the candidates were there except Mark Green, who as on the road. I came there with Bob Long--a former Green Bay Packer from the Lombardi years. Bob is my friend and he was going to speak and sign autographs but I had to sneak away early because I had to drive up to Madison to be on the Fox News Network, “The Big Story.” That took place at the Channel 3 station in Madison. I think it worked out pretty well but I always have so much to tell and they give me about three minutes to say it and I don’t ever feel I am satisfied with my message.

After we left “The Big Story,” we went to the Stadium Bar, which is right across the street from Camp Randall stadium. There was a big tent pitched and a sponsor was looking for candidates to be on his reality show—young people. I signed books and enjoyed talking to the young people, but it was so cold and so wet. Then it started to snow—believe it or not! Carmen, my dear friend who was with me—my press secretary and publicist—she said “Come on, we’ve got to get going.” She drove me back to Milwaukee in the snowstorm after we stopped and had a nice warm dinner of soup and spaghet.

We got back to New Berlin quite late, cold and tired, and went right to bed, staying at the home of some friends. When we got up in the morning they made us a wonderful old-fashioned home-cooked breakfast with bacon and sausage and hash browns and English muffins and scrambled eggs. It was just wonderful!

Then we went to Chumley’s Pub, which is in New Berlin on Moreland Road and National Avenue. There was a special fundraiser for me there and it took place while people watched the Packer game. Again, Bob Long was there and at half time Bob told some of his Lombardi stories.

Hurrah! the Packers beat Miami, which was just thrilling for everybody. They looked really good—and that always cheers up Wisconsin!

During this fundraiser a young man named Eric came and took movie pictures. He is with High Definition Television Network in Denver, but he works out of the University of Wisconsin. He has sort of been following me around for the last few days, doing a grass-roots story of what it takes--almost like my blog, only in video.

From there I went to the GOP rally where Mark Green was supposed to arrive. It was so cold. I got there a little late and I was almost happy I did. Of course I wanted to speak to the people, but Mark Green arrived before I could speak. It was so cold I honestly can say I was glad I did not speak. My voice is so hoarse right now from the cold that I can hardly talk. It was a very busy day--a great day, but a very cold day. Even so, everyone had a lot of fun. You know, if you can’t do this and have fun you shouldn’t do it.

-Sandy

With Donny Anderson at the Avenue Bar

2006-10-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Oct. 19 – I arrived in Madison about 3:00 in the afternoon and went to my storage shed to get some books to take to a show that was being held by CarQwest. My friends Lynette and Ray Henry had booked Donny Anderson—the Great Donny Anderson of NFL fame, and the great all-American from Texas Tech who came in to sign autographs for the people at the CarQwest show. It was held in Madison at the Alliant Energy Center. I spent my time there until it closed at 5:30 and talked to people.

I went to bed as early as I could because I had to get up early for a fundraiser at the Avenue Bar. The Avenue Bar is a very well-established favorite spot of so many people on East Washington Avenue. There Donny Anderson showed up to help me and he made a little speech. Then I ran up to the rotunda where I did a 3-4 minute interview with HDTV, with a lovely young man who was extremely kind and really interested in my campaign. He asked me some questions and filmed my answers and then I went back to the Avenue Bar where they were packing up my books and everyone was getting ready to leave.

Donny pulled me aside and he said, “You know, Sandy, I got to thinking on the way home—when Lynette and Ray took me back to the hotel last night—I got to thinking about your question that LaFollette asked you—if you would be good for the office and good in leadership.”

“As a young woman, from early on, you have always been around winners and leaders.” And then he said, “When you hung out with us, and you still do, people have to remember what you learned from that experience. You learned what it’s like to win. We were trained by one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century, Vincent P. Lombardi. You knew him and that rubbed off on you. We were all kids, we were all learning. We were all in the formative part of our lives, as far as learning leadership, learning our direction, and learning our purpose and fulfilling our positions—just like those players did on the field.”

So we called back the young man from HDTV, and he came to the Avenue Bar. He sat Donnie and me down, and he said, “Now you say that again, Donnie.” So Donnie put it on film that he has known me for the past 40 years and how he feels I was influenced by the Packers to become a great leader. I think that was just a wonderful compliment.

After that I went and had my hair done—which was a necessity—I ran out to Oregon to do that—and got a little sunshine of my face because I hadn’t been in the sun for a while. That was in a tanning bed and I believe in tanning beds because I pioneered that industry.

Then I headed back to Milwaukee, where I met the national head of the GOP at a little meeting at the Milwaukee GOP headquarters.

-Sandy

DO NOT MISS 10/21/06 - 4:00 P.M. - FOX NEWS

2006-10-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sandy will be interviewed on:

"The Big Story Weekend"

4:00 p.m.

Julie Banderas

Fox News

Sat. Oct. 21

With Dari McDonald--candidate to candidate in Rice Lake

2006-10-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Discussing issues with voters in Turtle Lake

2006-10-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

In Spooner with Dari McDonald, Fuzzy Thurston, and Bill Johnson

2006-10-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

A Wonderful World indeed with Fuzzy Thurston in it! :)

2006-10-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Oct. 17 - Last night we stayed at the home of friends in Chetek. They belong to C.A.R.T., which means “Citizens Against Raising Taxes,” and they were very kind to allow me to use their home. I had a wonderful, wonderful sleep—thank goodness—very quiet.

We spent part of yesterday with the wonderful Fuzzy Thurston, who is a champion to me in many ways. He helped me campaign in northern Wisconsin. We met Fuzzy at the Cedar Lake Mall in Rice Lake, where he signed his new book, which is called What A Wonderful World. Many people showed up and of course I was able to talk to them about my campaign. Here’s a link that tells about his book: http://www.fuzzybook.com/

We left from there at 1:00 and at 1:15 we went to Hansens Hideaway in Haugen

At 2:00 we arrived at Jerseys Sports Bar and Grill on Walnut Street in Spooner

I wish you could see this place. It has its own hockey rink, ballroom, and swimming pools. It’s owned by a young lady who is part of the Johnson family of timber and paper fame in Northern Wisconsin. She’s 22 years old and she designed the place.

It’s awesome. Fuzzy couldn’t get over it.

At 3:30 we went to Shell Lake, at the Lakeland Mall, and at 4:30 we were at the Corner Bar in Cumberland. From 5:30 to 7:30 we went to the Village Park in Turtle Lake. It started to rain and it was so cold, but we did have a hot chicken dinner with all the trimmings and that was great.

The whole point of this is me traveling across the state trying to raise some money for my campaign. As all of you know who read my blog, I am trying to get financial support not only to operate my campaign but also to run gorgeous commercials that were made for me—for radio and television.

This is a statement I would like to make to all of you who read my blog.

Raising money for a statewide race is a formidable, if not an impossible task, especially for an underdog. The more I think about it, maybe we do need some sort of public financing of campaigns to level the playing field. There is no way—NO WAY—that someone like me who is totally grass roots has a chance in a race. I have some advantage because I had a wee bit of publicity and celebrity behind me, but we are going to loose good, good people in politics if we do not allow them the opportunity to at least get into a race. We have forgotten the fact that’s government and holding government office are about the people. It’s supposed to be “We, the people…,” so if “we, the people” can help get good people into office and use some public funds to do it, we’re serving ourselves. So I think that’s very important.

Wednesday morning I got up and left Chatek and went to Chippewa Falls to do an interview at the Chippewa Herald. I stopped at Slip’s bar in the town of Chippewa Falls and they put up a bunch of posters.

I went down to Eau Claire and stopped at the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and ironically one of my former students from WWTC was coming in as I was leaving.

So I met that student from my public speaking class in the corridor of the Leader-Telegram, and we embraced and talked loudly and the whole staff stopped to listen and hear the story about the article about the Wisconsin secretary of state race in the New York Sun this morning. It was kind of like second-hand conversation, they all heard about it and then they all got interested in why I was there and what I was doing in Eau Claire.

Of course we went to the county court house and to the chamber of commerce in Eau Claire—it really was a busy day.

Then we journeyed to La Crosse Wisconsin, where at 4:30 I had an interview with the editorial board of the La Crosse Tribune. Then I stopped to visit some friends, left off some brochures, and headed back in the rain from LaCrosse to Madison.

So it was a long, long, long two days and a lot of miles in the car. I can say that I got a lot of media coverage and made a lot of friends, but I didn’t come home with a whole lot of money and that’s one of the big problems we have in this.

Tomorrow is a big day. Donnie Anderson is coming down to help me and so I want to be ready for that.

I’m going to hit the hay, gang. Talk to you soon.

Thanks for reading my blog. It’s been a lot of fun and it’s even more fun knowing that many of you out there are appreciating this site.

Thanks a million for your support.

-Sandy

At "Get the Scoop" on UW - Madison campus

2006-10-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

The problem with sparing that tree...

2006-10-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Position Paper

For Immediate Release - Friday, October 16, 2006
For Further Information Contact: Ben Saunier 414-828-1222

Sullivan Supports Forests and the Paper Industry

Some environmentalists and groups today can’t see the forest through the trees. Wisconsin needs to wisely expand her forest industry. Forests and paper are renewable resources that, when properly managed, can be renewed, reused and sustained for generations. Both healthy forests and a healthy paper products industry are vital to Wisconsin’s economy and to her people.

DANGER - If left untended, our forests are susceptible to infestation and damage by fire and human abuse. It is misguided for Wisconsin’s people, and for her forests, to work against expanding Wisconsin’s paper industry today and into the future. The real issue is sustainable and intelligent management of our forests.

WAGES - The paper and forest products industry in Wisconsin directly employ close to 50,000 people, manufacturing more than $12 billion worth of products. Paper makers have the highest-paying wages of any manufacturing sector in Wisconsin—averaging nearly $50,000 annually.

STEWARDSHIP - We have been the number one papermaking state in the country for more than 50 years but there are more forests in Wisconsin today than there were 100 years ago. In 28 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, paper and forest products are the number one industries. Today, Wisconsin has more than 16 million acres of forestlands, 70% of them privately owned and managed.

OVERSIGHT - Several government programs are already making sure that Wisconsin’s forestlands are properly managed. The State and County Forest programs are dual certified under Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) standards. Through independent, third-party certification, Wisconsin’s forest management must meet strict standards for ecological, social and economic sustainability. The Managed Forest Law (MFL) also oversees nearly 37,000 private landowners with nearly two million acres under the program.

Wisconsin needs to promote and expand the forest industry and keep jobs, a healthy economy, and healthy forests around for hundreds of years to come. My father owned a forest-related business and I know the issue from both important sides. If elected, you can count on Sandy Sullivan to spread the word and help network with all people involved. We want good stewardship of our Wisconsin forests, and the paper industry can be a part. The public needs to be better informed. I can help.

Authorized and paid for by Sullivan for Secretary of State, Mary McKay, Treasurer

Be careful what you pray for!

2006-10-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2006 – Hello, dear friends! I am sorry I have not done much blogging for almost a week because of all that has been happening in my life.

I guess I should begin on Monday, October 9 to tell you that I drove to Green Bay knowing that the Wisconsin Tavern league was having a convention in Green Bay. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to talk to some of the people in the league to see if they could help me with donations for my campaign. Well, I met a lot of people but nothing seemed too solid or promising for the campaign funds I so desperately need.

I was driving back in the afternoon—it was Oct. 10, about 3:05--and I was feeling rather frustrated that I couldn’t get the funds to air my TV commercials. I had been praying for name recognition but really hadn’t gotten any.

And all of a sudden the phone rang. It was a gentleman from MSNBC and he said, “Is this the Sandy Sullivan who is running for Wisconsin Secretary of State and who wrote the book, Green Bay Love Stories?”

I said, “Yes it is.”

And he told me he wanted to have me on Rita Cosby live the next day because they just heard about my story.

I was dumbfounded. I could not believe what was happening. All of a sudden the phone was ringing off the hook. Apparently this news story that was being reported locally, done by Todd Richmond of Associated Press, went National and then went international.

Ironically, I found out that the AP story published in the London (England) newspapers the next day.

The gentleman who built my web site called the following morning to say, “I want to know what is going on. The website traffic is going crazy.”

Well, I had been averaging about 150 visits to my website. From 4:00 on Tuesday afternoon until 7:00 on Wednesday morning, the normal 150 we had been averaging multiplied into 86,000 visits to my site in that length of time. And the following 24 hours had an additional 124,000.

So never underestimate the power of the press, whatever you do. That evening I went to a GOP pizza party in Wauwatosa, at Alioto’s. I didn’t know what was going to happen, so I asked the people to please say some prayers for me and to understand because I did not know what was going to hit the news about my book. I didn’t want them to be embarrassed. I wanted them to know the true story—that I did not run for office to promote my book in any way. My book has been out there fore quite a long while, and it was after many people read my book that some of my readers started encouraging me to run for public office. They said I was honest, I was forthright, and I had the courage to tell the truth. That’s what they wanted their politicians to be—so I had to run.

Wednesday, Oct 11 - We went to Madison to get to the studio in order to connect with Rita Cosby live on MSNBC. It was at the University of Wisconsin, at their WIBA TV studio. And at 12 noon I was on the air live with Rita Cosby. She asked me some questions about the book, but mostly she wanted to know what the people of Wisconsin would think. I said the people of WI were very smart. If you tell them the truth they will figure it out and do the right thing. And that I trust the people of Wisconsin.

I was taken to a private office where I could do radio interviews the next part of the day.
Then I did the Dave Smith show in Baltimore, MD
At 2:30 I did Wisconsin Public Radio
At 3:05 I had an interview on Madison radio WPTY.
At 3:30 I did an interview with Milwaukee radio
At 4:05 I did a national radio show with Ed Schultz
At 5:15 I was interviewed by the Daily Cardinal, by Ashley Penzer
And at 5:50 I went on the air live with CNN Headline News and found out they taped it to also use on another day
At 6:30 I actually went home and did a little bit of housekeeping

An unbelievable day.

Now we go to Thursday Oct. 12-

7:30 a.m. Sports Radio Chicago 670, sports radio
11:30 a.m. a GOP victory lunch with Tony Snow, President Bush’s publicity director and spokesperson
3:05 WSSP— The Cliff Sanders show—I’m not sure where that is
5:35 Milwaukee ESPN radio
5:40 Prime Time sports out of Toronto, Canada. (That’s an affiliate of ESPN radio.)
At 6:00 I went to a fundraiser in downtown Milwaukee for Sheriff David Clark.

On Friday the 13^th, ---oh boy, what a day!

12 noon I was on Fox news live with Martha in Milwaukee at the
3:40 p.m. I was on a crazy show from Washington D.C., called “The Don and Mike Show.” They had me on for probably a half hour to 40 minutes—it was wild.

Then I had to drive back to Madison to get some of my things so I could be prepared for the following week—clothes, shoes, and what-have-you.

On Saturday morning we drove to Kewaunee, Wisconsin to a noon luncheon with the Republican women of Kewaunee County.

On the way back we stopped at many sports bars and taverns to say hello and to put up posters, because the Wisconsin game was on and many people were there watching.

Went back to Milwaukee to rest, had my fingernails done from 4:15 – 5:15, came home, stuffed envelopes and put stamps on envelopes until I thought I was going to die.

Then I got up the next morning (Sunday) at 7:00 to go to Rhinelander where there was a GOP brat party in the afternoon, in Rhinelander.

Then to Green Bay--another two and a half hours.

All told, I put about 400 miles on the car that day.

I went to a fundraiser for Sandy Juno who is running for Brown County clerk of circuit court. Had a lovely dinner there with pork chops and sauerkraut and a real German festival.

And when we went back to Milwaukee, I had another 600 letters to sign and get stamped to mail.

So this has been an extremely busy time in my life!

On Monday morning I started out with a business meeting trying to raise some funds at Perkins Restaurant on Blue Mound Road in Brookfield.

I was supposed to have an 8:30 a.m. news show out of Atlanta but they cancelled it until Tuesday. However, I had a very nice interview with the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel newspaper’s editorial board.

Next I went to Madison to scoop ice cream with the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin to help get the student vote out.

Then to LaCrosse for a Wisconsin Towns meeting. That will take me a couple of hours there.

Then I go to Chapek to stay overnight.

Tomorrow I start my campaign trail with the great left guard, Fuzzy Thurston.

Oh! And I forgot to tell you, last night Sports Illustrated called and they want to do an article.

So I’ve had a busy week, my friends! I guess it's called 15 minutes of fame.

-Sandy

When you're hot, you're hot!

2006-10-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

News Release, Oct. 18, 2006:

A 1000-word piece in the New York Sun (10.17.06) about Wisconsin's political race for secretary of state leads with:

"For absolute intrigue, fascination, and sheer fun, the best race of this mid-term election just might be the contest for Wisconsin's secretary of state, an office most people in that state are not even sure exists." (see http://www.nysun.com/article/41633 for the rest)

Sandy Sullivan is doing what most candidates can't or won't do--hitting the campaign trail dawn into night, often seven days a week. And she's serious about turning the office into something Wisconsin taxpayers can be proud of.

If you haven't seen her web page and blog site at sandysullivan.info yet, you are not among the literally hundreds of thousands of hits counted there in the past week. Responses have been overwhelmingly positive--from as far away as a Milwaukee-born-'n-raised blogger now living in Sweden.

We still have time to schedule a few interviews with this energetic new candidate who has learned more ropes in a few months than groomed contenders pick up in two years. Contact Campaign Chair Mark Block, at (262) 617-2716 or Press Advisor Carmen Clark at(608) 209-3999.

Sandy Sullivan: Good for the job -- Good for Wisconsin!

Screen Side - Sandy on Fox News Live (Oct. 13)

2006-10-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

Photo by Mark Block

Studio side - Sandy on Fox news

2006-10-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Preparing for CNN News

2006-10-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

With Daily Cardinal staff in Madison

2006-10-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

One day in a long roller-coaster ride!

2006-10-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Oct. 11 - I had this dictated but it's taken a long time to get the words up on the blog space. I'll just start with new blogs from here instead of trying to fill in the days gone by.

All day long today (Oct. 11) there was an amazing number of calls and e-mails. We even made the London Times this morning.

Today I traveled from Milwaukee to Madison, to the WHA television studios, at University of Wisconsin, where I was interviewed remotely as a guest on MSNBC, with Rita Cosby. We thought it was going to be a longer interview; however, there was an incident in Houston Texas where a plane lost an engine and that took away some of the time I had originally been allotted.

Then I went to a friend’s office where I could use a private conference room to be interviewed on the radio by Wisconsin Public Radio’s Shawn Johnson.

I was also interviewed by the Daily Cardinal, a University of Wisconsin student newspaper.

I did CNN at 5:30 I the afternoon—it was recorded to be shown in the morning on October 12.

And I was interviewed for two more radio shows. One was the Ed Schultz show. It’s a very special talk show and it goes nationwide—one of the top shows in the country. Ed Schultz actually broadcasts out of Fargo N.D. but it goes all over the nation. Unfortunately, the plane accident in New York City where the Yankee pitcher was killed pre-empted Ed Schultz. That made sense to me. It boggles my mind that when there are so many important stories out there that this one should create so much attention.

The recent publicity about me and my book has also shown me the actual power of the press because up until a day or so ago I’ve had an average of 175 people daily visiting my web site. But between 4:00 yesterday afternoon until 7:00 this morning (Thursday), 86,000 people had visited my site. It went up to 106,000 by the end of the day. And that’s not just hits--they actually went onto the site and looked around.

We’ve had contacts from all over the nation, Canada—and even Sweden. Many people saying, “I wish I lived in Wisconsin. I’d vote for you, Sandy.”

The have written me very nice comments. Some people said a few derogatory or nasty things, but that’s only to be expected. The majority of the messages were very kind. People said they thought I was brave, honest, and forthright and they wanted to order the book, and what have you.

It was a very long and busy day.

- Sandy

Photo by Mark Block (Sandy blurred by Blogger factors)

Help Sandy TODAY

2006-10-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Someone accused me once of using the political campaign to promote my book. Not hardly! I was so much in demand to speak about my book that people started telling me to run for office.

So today I'm a grass-roots candidate. I work long hours and I drive all around the state meeting wonderful people and learning about what's important to them. But I don't have much campaign money. I need to pay for TV commercials. They're ready to roll, but it takes cash up front to play them.

So out comes the book--everyone is asking me for it anyway. :)

If you would like to help Sandy Sullivan for Secretary of State in this way--by ordering a book--or to help me get on a level playing field--or maybe you would just like to read a heartwarming story on a rainy day like today--here's your chance.

And, as ever, thanks for your support in whatever way--if only by reading this blog and passing on those encouraging words. Together we can do this!

Below are two links to give you a peek at and allow you to order my book, Green Bay Love Stories and Other Affairs.:

www.greenbaylovestories.biz

http://www.greenbaylovestories.biz/gallery.html

Sandy who?

2006-10-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sandy and her life-long friend, Paul Hornung, August 2006.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sandy (not Paul) will be interviewed on MSNBC by Rita Cosby, at noon on Tuesday, Oct 10, about her bid for Wisconsin Secretary of State. :)

We think the interview will air then, but we're not sure. Rita seems to have a "Live and Direct" show at 9 p.m.
Check it out. We will post updates.
**************************************************
Here is some interesting info about Rita Cosby, cut and pasted from the MSNBC site. Read more at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8755935/

"Cosby has obtained exclusive interviews with numerous world leaders, including one with former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic from The Hague. She secured historic back-to-back interviews with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and conducted an exclusive interview with Arafat when his compound was under siege in April 2002. "
**************************************
And now Sandy Sullivan!

By the way...

2006-10-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

I want to thank those of you who posted positive and interesting comments before today. Unfortunately, we can't see them--but now we can see any new ones.

Commenters need to be registered in order to post.

I value your cheers and good wishes. They are very important to me.

Forward!

-Sandy

2006-10-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

The AP article hit ESPN. 
They want me on MSNBC.  
Rita Cosby tommorrow
(Wednesday)

-Sandy

Ida B. Wells (NAACP) Freedom Fund Banquet

2006-10-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

Valuing Our Votes,
Voting Our Values

Friday, Oct. 6, 2006

Marriott West

Middleton, WI

With N.A.A.C.P. Madison Branch President Linda F. Hoskins - an award-winning, tireless community leader

With Master of Ceremonies and Legal Redress Chairperson
Stanley Woodard and his lovely wife Yolanda

With Gaddi B. Dan and Dr. Luedke

Friday, Oct. 6 - It was a rare privilege to join Madison N.A.A.C.P. members and friends at the Freedom Fund Banquet. National Board Member and Member-At-Large Frank Humphrey, gave an eloquent introduction to the keynote speaker, Shirley Pratt Miles. Ms. Miles is the Director of Midwest Region III of the organization and lives in Michigan. She emphasized in her speech that there is much accomplished and much left to accomplish in achieving equality. She urged the members to get out the vote in November and to find new ways to bring more people into this important and dedicated group to keep progress flowing into the future.

It was a lovely evening, a lovely program, an important message. I had a great time seeing again my teaching colleague from Herzing College - Madison, Stan Woodard, making new friends and getting to know the individuals and families who have worked long and hard for a better world for us all to live in.

Vote Sandy Sullivan - A leader and a voice for the people

2006-10-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

From a barbeque to a lakefront mansion

2006-10-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2006 - Hello!

Today I went to the Marquette University campus for a cookout--a barbeque rally for the campus Republicans. It was a very windy, wet, cold, blustery day. I thought I was going to freeze to death. My feet got wet and they didn’t dry out for the rest of the day. But they had barbequed pork and it was fun to be on a campus again where the young people were rollicking and having fun and laughing. Yet, they are committed to their ideals and I really enjoyed that.

Then I went briefly to the state policy network meeting—a summit that was being held at the Hilton Hotel. I sat in briefly and started to meet some of the people who were in attendance

I went from there to Andrew Nunemaker’s house up on the east shoreline of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee where we worked on a reception for people from the summit. Representatives from all over the country from many very famous and prestigious foundations came to this reception. It was supposed to be from five until six o’clock and it ended up being five until a little after seven—250 people came through that beautiful, old mansion. I tried to greet everyone at the door. It was a delightful time.

At the end of the evening, my friend and former secretary of state, Vel Phillips came to join us. She was like a breath of fresh air. She was delightful. She spoke with so many people and charmed them all.

A happy set of adventures on October 4.

- Sandy

Touring the Kieffer Plant

2006-10-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

In Manitowoc with the Breakfast Club

2006-10-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

From Manitowoc to Sheboygan

2006-10-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Oct. 3 – Hello! This is the blog lady. I got up at 5:00 this morning. Ben Saunier picked me up to drive me to Manitowoc, WI, where we dropped off some information and were looking for a gentleman who owns Manitowoc Manufacturing Company. Of course a stop in Manitowoc isn’t right unless you stop and say hi to Bubba. Bubba is one of my biggest supporters in the state!

We stopped at Perkins restaurant and introduced ourselves to people who will be doing a radio show with me on Oct. 10. From there we went to the Chamber of Commerce and to the court house and to the newspaper in Manitowoc and dropped off some information.

In the afternoon we went to Sheboygan, where we stopped at the newspaper and interviewed there at 1:00. We went to see the Mark Green headquarters, which was right next to the chamber of commerce and made calls.

Had a nice lunch sitting right on the water, with the fog coming in like crazy, at 1:00.

We then went to see Terry and Mary Kohler at their Windway office. From there, off to the Sheboygan newspaper—and then to Kieffer and Company. At Kieffer they make fantastic signs for Staples and Walgreen’s and other major businesses around the state. Such beautiful signs! Next we went to be interviewed at the Plymouth newspaper, and from there we headed home.

Today’s itinerary took about ten hours to complete. I’m really tired tonight—and I have another big day tomorrow!

Good night, dear friends watching my blog. I appreciate your reading.

- Sandy

Stuffing envelopes and a leukemia fundraiser

2006-10-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Oct. 1 - On Saturday I didn’t do much beyond trying to raise some money and stuffing envelopes—doing the normal things one must do to try to get elected. So Saturday was a day of organizing myself and working to raise money.

But today, on Sunday, I got up early, prepared myself to come to Milwaukee, and ended up in Waukesha at about noon. It was a great fundraiser that a musician, Philip Nicolato, organized for the Leukemia foundation fund named for Alexis White, who died last year at 16 years of age. A friend of his' child had recently died of cancer. They had a country-western band, a rock band, and it was heartwarming to see so many people turning out. I was there with Gilbert Brown the football player. I got to speak to the group and we signed books, pictures, and autographs. Here is a link for the Alexis White memorial site: http://www.virtual-memorials.com/main.php?action=view&mem_id=5779&page_no=1

Tonight I am working—stuffing more envelopes and trying to get my name out there to the good people of Wisconsin.

- Sandy

Intertwining personal and political

2006-10-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Monday, Oct. 2 – I had a busy day today. The second of October is my father’s birthday and it was his death date too, so the day has held lots of mixed emotions.

I got up very early to be at a 7:00 breakfast at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. It was given in honor of Jean Hundertmark, who is the candidate for Lt. Governor. Margaret Farrow spoke and also Dan Vrakas, who is County Executive of Waukesha County. So did Jean, and Jean was just lovely. What an articulate and knowledgeable woman! She has impressed me every time I have heard her speak.

From there I ran a few errands, went back to our office inWest Allis to make some calls, and found out I was quite tired today. I think the weekend of work and everything caught up with me.

But I did go this afternoon at 1:00 to speak to the Senior Center in Oconomowoc. About 125 people attended, and I had a lovely afternoon with everyone. I sold my books and did not campaign; however, at the end of the event, different ones said they knew I was running for secretary of state and of course the word spread like wildfire.

So two big parts of my life—my writing and the campaign—braid together and feed each other in interesting ways. I believe one individual strength I can bring to state leadership and the Secretary of State office is that I love to network and I can speak and listen in public, and fit in with a wide variety of Wisconsin’s people. This could be very good for Wisconsin and I believe it would aid cooperation within state government.

So today was a very nice day. I came back and did some strategy. I’m on my way to bed because I have to get up at 4:30 in the morning!

- Sandy

At Caterina's with Tony and Cathy Ingrillis

2006-09-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Winding my way through southeast Wisconsin

2006-09-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

Friday, Sept. 29 – In this blogsite I am trying to document for others what political candidacy involves; to keep a diary for myself of these amazing whirlwind weeks as a grass-roots candidate on the campaign trail; to honor and acknowledge the wonderful people and places I have visited and enjoyed on the campaign; and to share my thoughts about the office and the experience of running for office. But today is Friday, I'm bushed, and this is going to just be a list of where I went and what I did.

Last night I stayed overnight in New Berlin and went to the campaign office and worked this morning. I made phone calls and looked up addresses and helped send out some mail.

Then I journeyed to Racine, WI where I went to the chamber of commerce, to the newspaper, and made some courtesy calls including the chamber of commerce,

I left a packet for Helen Johnson-Leipold of Johnson Outdoors, Inc. and the Johnson Trust. I also went to see friends at a mortuary in Racine. I stopped at Evelyn’s, a little bar, and visited with the people I knew there.

And then we went on to Kenosha, where I did the same thing. I went to the newspaper, to the chamber of commerce, stopped at the court house and just paid courtesy calls to say hello and that I was in the area.

This evening I came back, had dinner with friends at Caterina’s Italian Restaurant, and then during that evening I went around and talked to everyone at the tables.

I went to the Serbian Hall in South Milwaukee, which is fish fry Friday night. I went to every table in the place and to everyone at the bar and talked to them, left them my literature with them, and asked them to vote for me.

I had a very busy day and a very exciting day but I am very tired because this has also been a 19-hour day.

Blogs - voices of the people

2006-09-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

With Owen Robinson and Mary Jo Bass at the Wisconsin Forum.

A valued endorsement and behind the scenes with a celebrity blogger

2006-09-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Sept. 28 – Today I met with a number of people I know in Madison, still trying to raise money.

We had a light lunch and then went to Watertown, where I stopped in at the newspaper, at the Chamber of Commerce in Watertown, and then journeyed to Jefferson, which is the county seat of Jefferson County. We stopped at the court house, said hello to the people in the court house, got a directory, stopped at the Sheriff’s office, talked to people on the street, and again went to the Chamber.

Then we moved on down the road to Ft. Atkinson, which is just a few miles away, and did the same thing. I was getting out of the car as we were arriving at the offices of the Jefferson County Union and Hoard’s Dairyman, and there was a gentleman walking down the street with a box. So I went up to him and introduced myself and gave him a brochure. But he turned and said, “You know, we’re going to endorse you. I am the publisher.” His name is Brian Knox. The Knox family is renowned for their management and publication of Hoard’s Dairyman, which is an international paper, and the Jefferson County Union, which still serves rural Wisconsin.

So they are going to endorse me. That is very exciting! I went into the offices and had nice interviews there. We’re thrilled by our first newspaper endorsement.

Then we headed back to downtown Milwaukee, to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, where the Forum met tonight with a beautiful dinner. The speaker was Owen Robinson, a famous blogger. He gets about 150,000 hits a day on his blogs, (www.bootsandsabers.com) --and he was marvelous. He gave a whole different perspective to politics from what we normally know from our teachers, from what we normally know from reading the newspapers and really from all media. As a blogger, he really is a voice of the people because of the conversation that takes place on that blog. He explained blogging, and boy were the people ever cheering!

So it’s hurry to bed and get ready for another long day.

-Sandy

From Wolf River to the Pollsters

2006-09-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Sept. 27– I stayed overnight with friends in Fremont, WI, on the beautiful Wolf River. My father and I fished the Wolf River many times years ago, and it’s still as beautiful as ever—and just as inviting. I’d like to fish it again

I left there about 6 a.m. and went to Marshfield, WI, where I met with a gentleman who is the editor of the News-Herald. We had a very nice interview. From there we went to the chamber of commerce and to the court house in Wisconsin Rapids. This is all in Wood County, WI. At the court house I stopped to see the sheriff and the clerk of court, and the treasurer, mainly to pick up a directory and to learn who is holding public office. Those individuals were the winners of those offices. I am learning that you go with the winners—that’s who you want to meet because they won their office.

From there I went to the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, where I met the managing editor, a young man by the name of Alan Hicks. He seemed so young I was very surprised that he was the editor, but we had an excellent meeting.

From there I went to the senior center, where a big crowd showed up in spring when I was promoting my book.

And then we journeyed to Stevens Point, WI, where I graduated from the university years ago. We met Harold Goodrich, the city editor of the Stevens Point Journal. From there we went to the Stevens Point Country Club, to see the one and only Bob Williams. He was a great inspiration to Lee Sherman Dreyfus, who was the 40^th governor of Wisconsin. Lee Sherman Dreyfus was the Chancellor of UW – Stevens Point before he became governor and Bob Williams was very instrumental in that. Bob owns an advertising agency and is a fellow who always knows how to get the news.

He charmed me many years ago when I was a cocktail waitress, working my way through college. Every Thursday night the musicians from the music department at the university would meet in that little neighborhood cocktail lounge—it was just packed. Mr. Williams used to come in there with his pockets full of pistachio nuts. That’s how I knew him—because he always carried the pistachio nuts and I had to clean up the tables after he left.

So we had a lot of fun reminiscing and Bob gave us some wonderful ideas.

And from there we traveled down Highway 39 to Portage, to the Daily Register. We talked to the editor, and then we went to Wisconsin Dells and met with Chuck Thompson who was the secretary of transportation under Tommy Thompson. We asked him for fundraising ideas, too. He is encouraging us to do some fundraisers very, very soon, and he wants to help us.

We had planned to go to Baraboo, but because time was short we went directly to the Madison Club for an event called “A Meeting With Pollsters.” There were many, many political action committees there, like the WEAC group, the Wisconsin Bankers Association, and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce association. They sponsored it with a lot of consulting groups. They discussed polls, how to read the polls, and what the polls mean. Very interesting—a great group of people, good questions, and lots of information. I didn’t realize how this was done and what a great purpose the polling serves in calculating how to run a race.

From there I returned to Oregon, WI, without my car so I could sleep because I am going to be on NPR at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning! It has been a long day. It’s almost 9:00 and I am going to bed—and I think I am going to sleep. Good night!

-Sandy

Steve Loehrke shares his winning plan

2006-09-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

Steve Loehrke, President of Weyauwega-Fremont School Board, shows Sandy results of health care changes for the school district.

With Veterans' Home residents Arlan and Harriet Main

2006-09-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

In Wausau with first-rate volunteers!

2006-09-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Education and 125+ Years of Wisconsin Veterans' Home

2006-09-27T20:51:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Sept. 26 -- I had a very early morning and ended up having breakfast in Weyauwega, and then going to visit Steve Loehrke. Steve is the president of the Weyauwega-Fremont School Board and has some wonderful innovative ideas about education that would be revolutionary in Wisconsin. I was most interested in them. His leadership has turned around the financial condition of his school district and his plan could really be implemented across the state.

We went to the Waupaca County Court House after talking to several people along the way. We also went to the Waupaca Chamber of Commerce.

From there we traveled to Wausau, Wisconsin, where we went to the Marathon County Court House. We stopped in and said hello to the sheriff, the county clerk and the county treasurer. That’s what we do in each of the county court houses--it’s a courtesy call. We also stopped at the Wausau Chamber of Commerce and at various offices where we knew people. And we stopped at the Mark Green headquarters.

I had a delightful experience at about 1:30 this afternoon at the Wisconsin Veteran’s home in King, Wisconsin. What a remarkable, remarkable institution where we take care not only of the veterans but also of their widows or their spouses. That is unbelievable! The home has been there since about 1880.

On our travels I get to see a great deal of Wisconsin and today was no exception. We stopped in Rural Wisconsin. No--not the Wisconsin countryside--but the town of Rural, outside of King. The scenery was breathtaking. I would recommend it to any one that wants to see part of the Wisconsin that makes us great.

We left there and finally got something to eat in the evening, at about 7:30-8:00.

I had a truly delightful day, after working very, very hard.

We stopped at Mark Green’s headquarters on the way out of Wausau and talked with some of the volunteers. Everyone is working hard and all of us are quite disgusted with what has happened to Mark Green because it is extremely unfair—it’s a shame.

-Sandy

In Oshkosh, Sept. 26 - Go Julie!

2006-09-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

With Assembly Candidate Julie Pung-Leschke and Michelle Litjens

Campaign crossroads

2006-09-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

Monday, Sept. 25 - Another busy day on the campaign trail. This morning I went to visit with Jim Klauser, Executive Vice-President of Wisconsin Energy in downtown Milwaukee. Then I went to see Steve Baas at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Area Center.

And from there I went to the Pfister Hotel where Vice-President Cheney spoke. I had my picture taken with him and we had a lovely luncheon--not me with the vice-president, however, but with an excellent group of people. And of course I campaigned and talked with as many people as possible.

From there we went to Fond du Lac, where I stopped at the court house and tried to greet as many people as possible. Later I went to a fundraiser for Julie Pung-Leischke, who is running for assembly from the Oshkosh district. And I heard a delightful speech by Senator Mike Ellis who encouraged everyone in the room to also remember that I am running for Secretary of State.

-Sandy

With new friends at the Freedom Fund Dinner

2006-09-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

Networking with community leaders!

2006-09-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

Being introduced by Vel Phillips.

Meeting Milwaukee County Sheriff David
Clarke, at Community Brainstorming.

Hearing the voices of the people

2006-09-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Sept. 23 - This morning I awakened at 4 a.m., got in the car, and drove to Milwaukee where I met Mark Block and Ben Saunier. We went to 9^th and Locust in Milwaukee, to St. Matthews Church, where there was a Community Brainstorming forum. It lasted three hours. This is held every month. It was fabulous.

The invited guests were the provost of Marquette University, the heads of UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and the Superintenant of Milwaukee Public Schools. They got to speak and then the people in the audience had an opportunity to get up and ask them questions. That got to be very, very interesting because the questions and answers were flying.

There were many politicians there because I guess it’s a wonderful place to meet people and to network. So that was interesting, but, if elected, I would attend as many events like this as I could, as part of hearing the people's voices. Today I was especially thrilled to be introduced by Vel Phillips, the last Secretary of State of Wisconsin. What a classy woman! I also met Milwaukee Country Sheriff David Clarke, which was a great honor.

At night we went to downtown Milwaukee to the Midwest Express Center--to the NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Dinner. This is a grand affair and the theme this year was “Voting your values and valuing your vote.” It was wonderful. We met marvelous people, and of course everyone was beautifully dressed.

At the NAACP dinner I had an opportunity to see Vel Phillips again and to meet many of her friends there and campaign among them. I told them I was a friend of Vel’s. I also had an opportunity to sit down and talk to Polly Williams, who is one of the people responsible for School Choice—we would not have school choice without her work throughout the years. And, I got to meet and speak with Milwaukee Alderman Willie L. Hines, Jr., who impressed me greatly.

The only disturbing part of that lovely evening happened after Governor Jim Doyle came and spoke very briefly at the beginning but got up and left before the keynote speaker. When the Chief Operating Officer of the NAACP, Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III got up to speak, he told the crowd in no uncertain words that it was an insult--that he’ll forgive him, but it was an insult--that the governor would get up and leave such an important “big dog affair” such as this, because the NAACP is very powerful.

Rev. Rivers’ speech was very inspiring. He said, “Your principles cannot be sold out to the highest bidder,” and “Don’t sell your principles,” “Don’t sell out,” “Money isn’t everything,” and “Stand up for what’s right.” Those catchwords are very important for leaders, and there were so many leaders there. It was extra inspiring for me, since I have very little campaign money but those principles are as good as gold to me. Anyway, it was definitely noted by most of the people there that Rev. Rivers was rather put out that James Doyle left that dinner. I thought that was interesting.

Well, it’s been another 16- or 17-hour day, so I’m heading for the barn.

-Sandy

Woman to woman on WIBA - AM 1310

2006-09-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

"UpFront" with Vicki McKenna, on the air, Friday Sept. 23.

Learning to speak out on many levels

2006-09-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Friday, Sept. 22 – Well, you're in the company of the candidate, and I must say I did not plan to be making big statements about the election board. But in this case it's just plain to see that making the election board a non-elected agency did not stop it one bit from being politically influenced. So I have been speaking to groups, speaking in the media, and speaking through letters and fundraising, but now I am learning to speak out as a leader should on public policy related to the office I am working so hard to earn.

Some people have said to me, "Sandy, if we returned the election oversight to an elected office--to the Secretary of State where it came from--that would make it partisan and political because the Secretary of State is elected." But I think recent events with Mark Green's campaign money show that an appointed election board can be plenty partisan and political.

If and when I am elected, I will push for elections, and the election board, to be returned to the purview of the Secretary of State. Overseeing election affairs would just be one more check and balance on the election board and its work.

It makes no administrative sense to change campaign funding policy during the election season and then to enforce that change retroactively. But it did make political sense for the Doyle campaign this year.

Here is the headline of my press release:

"Sullivan Calls For Immediate Resignation of Election Board Members"

"Rigged Board Ruling Undermines Faith in Wisconsin Government"

We will soon have the full text of my press releases up on the sandysullivan.info page, so you can read the whole thing there.

Anyway, after thinking and working long and hard on getting out the press release, I went today to the Bourbon Street Grille in Monona, which used to be the Yahara River Yacht Club. (I lived near there many years ago when I was in graduate school.) I spoke at a luncheon there for the Dane County Republican Women. They were extremely charming, sweet ladies, and they were very, very good to me—very appreciative of my coming. It gave me a wonderful boost of confidence because, you know, as Sally Fields says, “They liked me; they liked me!”

Then we rushed away because I had a 2:00 appointment to be on Vicki McKenna’s show on WIBA Radio, AM 1310. I had a marvelous interview, but—wow--what a dynamo!

Vicki can think faster than anyone I’ve met in my entire life! Just, bullet-bullet-bullet—one right after the other. She was not drilling me, but when she would mention something and I would think of a comment to add to my first response--she was already on to the next subject. Ironically, when we were off the air I would put my thoughts together while she and Brian Schimming were discussing many things. But by the time we got on the air again, it was easy to forget what I was going to say. It was a very interesting experience.

People tell me she is an excellent interviewer and very quick on her feet—and that the only other person who is probably more difficult to do an interview with is Charlie Sykes. You have to work hard.

That’s about it for today. I have to get up at 4 o’clock in the morning and head to Milwaukee, so ta-ta for now!

-Sandy

Hot on the campaign trail

2006-09-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Sept. 21 – Hello, this is Sandy—and you’re in the company of the candidate!

Well, I stayed overnight in Oshkosh last night and worked that Fox River Valley area. And--believe it or not--today I made fourteen stops and gave four speeches, in all!

It was an absolutely unbelievable day. We first went to the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper for an interview there. Then we stopped at the chamber of commerce and went to the court house to meet with the mediation group there. We visited the elected officials and the people in the court house just to say hello.

Then off to Neenah and on to Appleton, where I was interviewed by the Appleton Post-Crescent. Then to the Chamber of Commerce and out to Touchmark, a senior residence where I gave a speech about my book. Went from there down to the court house to pick up some directories--and from there we came back to Milwaukee, to Dimity Grabowski’s fundraiser at Representative Mark Honadel’s home in South Milwaukee. Then I went to an NRA banquet where I was given an opportunity to speak.

Tonight I put together a press release demanding the resignation of the three election board members that colluded with the Doyle campaign to rig the outcome of the vote on Mark Green. More on this tomorrow. So I think I put in a full day! It is now quarter to ten and I started very, very early this morning.

That’s just what happens on the campaign trail, and that's where I am. So, happy trails to you, too!

-Sandy

Reaching out and touching the people

2006-09-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Sept. 20 - Today I came from Oregon to Milwaukee for meetings, and then went to West Bend for an interview with the West Bend News. Then, it was back to Slinger, Wisconsin, to a lovely golf course to a dinner for the Wisconsin Federation of Republican Women. It was a very, very nice crowd. I was the first speaker, so we could leave and dash up to Calumet County to a picnic on the shores of Lake Winnebago. A nice crowd was waiting for me there. They were just getting ready to leave, but I did get to see them and to meet with them and speak with them. I am so thankful that Ralph Prescott asked the group to stay until I arrived.

It was a very exciting day, just reaching out and touching the people.

-Sandy

2006-09-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Reader Alert!

Please listen to AM radio 1310 -WIBA

at 2:00 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 22)

Sandy Sullivan will be interviewed on the Vicki McKenna radio talk show “UpFront” today!

Please tune in, call in, and ask questions. Tell listeners what you like about Sandy for Secretary of State. Also, do write the station to thank Vicki for inviting Sandy - a leader Wisconsin needs.

Sandy Sullivan - She puts Wisconsin first!

New and and dear Republican friends

2006-09-21T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ginny Marschman in Slinger

Calumet County Picnic

Winnebago County Court House

Green speaks on health; Sandy seeks money :-)

2006-09-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Sept. 19 - Whew! Got up at 6 a.m. and went to Kavanaugh's Esquire Club on Sherman Avenue in Madison, for a breakfast for Mark Green. Kavanaugh's is definitely a historic place for campaign events. We saw pictures and other memorabilia on the walls from candiates and events for both parties. Mr. Kavanaugh served us a great breakfast. The event was put on by the underwriters for health care in the state of Wisconsin.

It was an interesting day. I ended up in Milwaukee working on my list—asking people for money—signing and sending out letters. I have found raising the money to get yourself elected to be one of the most difficult parts of running for office. This is a sobering concern for grass-roots candidates, since talent goes to waste if there is little or no money to fund a campaign.

That's all for now--and thanks for reading!

-Sandy

On the road again!

2006-09-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday night and Monday, Sept. 17-18 - Sunday night I traveled from Oregon, WI to Maryland, WI, which is just north of Black River Falls and ate dinner with the Wisconsin Women for Agriculture. It was a lovely dinner with fine local entertainment--a grandmother and her two children entertained us with music. It was very good. Next morning was the Wisconsin Women for Agriculture meeting at Arrowhead Lodge in Black River Falls. I spoke along with other ladies who were involved with agriculture. Then on to the senior coalition meeting at the Black River Falls Country Club.

LaCrosse was next. At the LaCrosse Center I met with the Wisconsin County Association—lots of county executives and county workers. Of course I handed out brochures and talked to many of them, and I spoke briefly at the lecture center there for the arts and humanities.

Thanks, everyone for the warm welcomes! I'll never forget you.

-Sandy

Making the rounds

2006-09-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

With Sue Green, Wisconsin's future first lady, and the "first daughter."

Sunday, Sept. 17 - I am still reporting here on Friday (Sept. 15).

After I left the breakfast. I went back to the office, worked for a while, and then got ready to go to Cottage Grove, to the Third Annual Tommy G. Thompson Open golf tournament at the Door Creek Golf Course. It was a benefit for breast cancer. Lots of Republicans were there, of course. Many were coming in off the golf course, so I spoke with a lot of people and gave out my brochure.

Talk about the daily schedule of a candidate, as experienced by this newcomer! In one day I drove to Milwaukee from Oregon, Wisconsin before 7 a.m., came back to Madison to pick up some clothes in Oregon after I found out I’d have to steal time, then went to Cottage Grove, then to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison for a Republican Party monthly meeting (all the chairmen of the Republican Party were there and I stayed about 20 minutes saying hello to everyone). Then I left again for Waukesha while Mark Block and Ben Saunier from my campaign followed.

In Waukesha we waited for the bus that carried Mark Green back to his headquarters after his debate with Governor Doyle. It was a great festival; everybody was cheering. We think Mark Green did a great job. He answered Doyle’s questions and I believe he effectively brought out that Doyle wasn’t really telling everybody the truth.

And they let me talk, too. :)

- Sandy

Voices for change in Wisconsin

2006-09-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

John G. Jazwiec, a Wisconsin entrepreneur, talks with Sandy Sullivan.

A call to action for Wisconsin

2006-09-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

Friday, Sept. 15 – Hello, everybody. You’re in the company of the candidate!

Today I had a very interesting breakfast at 7:30 in the morning, at the Wisconsin Club on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee, which was the home of Billy Mitchell. It was a meeting of the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin. There were 43 new guests attending.

The speaker was John G. Jazwiec, Company Leader of the high-tech technology company, Red Prairie. He said he wants to stay in Wisconsin and to raise his family in Wisconsin, but things must change in order for him to continue to do business here.

One of the things he needs and that all industry needs is to create an environment for creative people. We need to produce this environment to entice our young brilliant creative minds to come to our state, to work together, and to create together. The youth of this world are creators and doers. We need to offer almost a nest for them to flourish.

This man’s company is a $200 million company and within eighteen months he will take it to a $500 million company. And within three years it will be a billion dollar company!

He wants certain things to happen in Wisconsin, in order to improve our economic growth and also to allow him to keep his company here. One is the cutting of taxes. He suggested that we look at countries like Ireland, who 20 years ago wanted to attract business. They cut their taxes almost down to nothing and invited businesses in—and now they’re a world economic leader. (I happened to have been there at that time. Ireland truly was starving and suffering.)

Another place that has done the same thing and has experienced an economic boom is western Canada. Always before it was eastern Canada, like Quebec and the eastern provinces leading the way, but now it’s western Canada, for example, British Columbia and Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Just get this! Manitoba has a flat tax of 10% --that’s it. They are one of the fastest growing industrial powers in the world—Manitoba, one province in Canada.

He said he was asked, “Why don’t leaders go forth and demand these changes?” His answer was that so many supposed leaders say they are leaders, but they are not really leading. They are more interested in their social status at the country club than they are in protecting this great state and allowing business to remain here and flourish here

His message was fantastic. And he said if you want to grow and to become competitive with the world, you need to change. Wisconsin needs to be willing to change--and change has no friend.

Here is a link to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article about his speech. The subject of how to draw commerce/jobs and avoid "brain drain" is an important one for the people of Wisconsin to think and vote about. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=498336

2006-09-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Sept. 14 - Hi! You’re in the company of the candidate!

Today I thought I was going to be going to Green Bay and to Shawano today, but the trips were cancelled. As a result, in order to make use of the time, I spent a great deal of time talking back and forth via e-mail with Carmen Clark, my campaign secretary, who had tremendously wonderful, great ideas of things we can do for the campaign--and also with Mark Block and with Ben Saunier, my campaign manager.

Actually the whole day was spent in communication with the people who are involved in the campaign. We are deciding in which direction to go and we are also trying to get data from the primary. I guess the results are not out yet.

Tomorrow I get up at 4:30 a.m. I have to be in Milwaukee by 7:00 to start the day. I guess I’ll be coming back to Madison for some functions.

It’s going to be a very long, fun, road from here to November 7!

-Sandy

Important questions--comments invited!

2006-09-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Hi! You’re in the company of the candidate, and I would like to ask you some questions for comment here on the blogspace. Do read on.

I visited a meeting today of the right-of-center group, at the Madison Club. A lot of things were brought up that have caused me to think--not just to have thoughts, but to think--about what is right and what is wrong, what can be done and what can’t be done. So I am asking you readers to comment—and I hope you do.

One concerns the ethics committee. Of course we know that ethics oversight used to be part of the Secretary of State’s duties, as was being in charge of the state election board. Obviously Doug LaFollete can’t take back over the ethics board--he has been found guilty of unethical behavior more than once over the years and fined!

But someone made the comment at the meeting that they felt the board of ethics and the state election board should be combined. Do you agree?

I don’t feel they should be combined because if there is corruption in either one of those departments, then you have corruption in both—throughout the entire organization. I think the checks and balances should be there to have a separate ethics board overseeing the state elections board, and public involvement through an elected official following up on complaints to present to the board. A better choice of Secretary of State could have a part in that, as a sort of state ombuds-person, as the Secretary of State does in another neighboring state. That does not mean getting involved in the election board’s workings, but levels of oversight in changes of voting equipment or vote counting, or other important matters, and following up on complaints and concerns about the election board’s operation. An entire board is not going to pursue every complaint, but even Watergate started with a small event getting followed up by someone.

I’m opening this up for comments, asking what you readers think—Do we need a separate ethics board including a public officer, such as the Secretary of State, overseeing the state elections board? I think we have too much to risk to leave it to bureaucrats alone, but I invite your comments, suggestions, and thoughts. Are you in favor of combining the ethics board with the state elections board? Or should the ethics board be separate from the election board? And should an elective state office follow up on complaints about either of these operations?

I think that’s it for today. I had a great day and now I know who my opponent is, so—away we go!

-Sandy

Rain, character, and grace

2006-09-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Sept. 12 –We had terrible rain storms today around Madison, including Dunn Township, where I had to vote. Voting seemed to be light throughout the state, and in Southwestern Wisconsin it was partly because of the weather. People had to sit in their cars around my polling place because of the rainstorm.

So I stayed home and watched the returns instead of going to Milwaukee to Jean Hundermark’s victory party because I couldn’t even get out my long driveway through the flooding and the puddles. I saw that J.B. VanHollen won and that he was very gracious to his opponent; however, his opponent was not gracious to him. One learns a lot about the character of the person in that.

Now to bed for a good night’s sleep, knowing that Doug LaFollette will be my opponent in the general election.

-Sandy

Vel Phillips--a spritely Wisconsin first

2006-09-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

Monday, Sept. 11 - Hi, this is Sandy and you are in the company of the candidate.

I had a delightful Monday in Milwaukee. At 11:00 we picked up Vel Phillips, who made history as the first African-American judge in Wisconsin and the first African-American Secretary of State in Wisconsin, elected in 1978. Vel is a little darling who is probably in her 80s and acts like she’s in her 40s—she just scoots around.

We took her to lunch at her favorite Emperor of China restaurant—in Milwaukee on Brady Street. She knew everyone in the place and she just had a great time flitting around.

But the best part was her telling about being Wisconsin secretary of state. She said it was probably one of the most boring jobs she ever had in her life. She said that was because they had stripped the office so bare. She wanted to do more with it but didn’t get the opportunity to do what she wanted to do.

Lee Dreyfus was governor at that time. He was a Republican governor and she was a Democratic secretary of state. She said the Lieutenant Governor went fishing all the time and Lee Dreyfus was out giving speeches promoting the state. So they left Vel in charge most of the time.

Lee Dreyfus would call Vel’s secretary and say, “May I speak to Governor Phillips?” And the secretary would get all excited and say, “Oh, he called you Governor!” And then Vel would call him back and say “Now, Lee Sherman, you’ve got to stop that!”

It was so funny. We just had a great time. She asked me to speak to a conference of higher education leaders, Marquette University and MATC and UWM on the 23^rd of September.

After lunch with Vel Phillips I spent some of the afternoon in the office and at 5:00 I went to a reception at a huge company in Waukesha. Mark Green was there. The rest of the people belonged to what is called the Sahara Club. It’s a very exclusive hunting club of big, big game animals. They have the stuffed animals right there. The company is a precision welding company and the owner is Mr. Dave Bahl. They were absolutely marvelous to me.

I went around telling them who I was and that I was running for Secretary of State. Of course everybody looked at me blankly. They said, “Who is the secretary of state? Do we have a secretary of State? Is there such an office?” Same thing I always get.

And after I explained, they asked, “Who are you running against?” So I said, “Well, we will know that tomorrow night, because tomorrow is the primary.”

I am anxious to know who I am going to be up against. The anticipation can be very nerve wracking because it goes through my mind—“Well if it’s this one, this is what I’m going to say--and if it’s the other one, then this is what I’m going to say.”

So it’s all in the life of a candidate.

-Sandy

A day of thanks--and rest!

2006-09-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Words can't express my gratitude for these two wonderful volunteers--Mark Block, my campaign chair, who helps me chart my course, and Fred Brooks, who helps drive me and takes care of other nuts and bolts. Not pictured is Ben Saunier, my campaign manager, who was at work behind the scenes--thanks, Ben!

Sunday, Sept. 10 - Hi! I did something on the trail today that is probably the most coveted thing a candidate could do. I slept for 17 straight hours!

Now do you think I was tired or what? I couldn’t believe it. I had an opportunity, and everybody said “Go home and get some rest because next week is going to be grueling.” So I did that, and when I woke up I could not believe I had slept so long. Oviously I needed it.

I guess this is just part of running and being a candidate. You have to grab the sleep when you get it and pray that you get some more before you fall over.

So that’s it for today. Stay tuned. I’ll be rolling again at 5:00 on Monday morning, September 11.

There will be a lot of wonderful commemorative services today. God bless America!

-Sandy

On the Countdown

2006-09-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Sept. 9 -

Hi! You’re in the company of the candidate!

First, some captions for the pictures above:
Above: What a knowledgeable, and spirited group--the Brown County Republican Women! Below: Sen. Joe Leibham and Margaret Mueller with me in Manitowoc.

I just want you to know that running for office isn’t all fun and games.

I’m sure you know it’s a lot of work, but this is Saturday and it’s about the fifth morning in a row I’ve gotten up at 5 a.m., got myself ready to go, got into the car and drove for at least two and a half or three hours to be at a destination early. And of course I’m not always sure where I’m going.

This morning I went from Oregon to Green Bay. I spoke to the Brown County Republican Women’s Club. Now that was just a joy! They were fabulous to me and very receptive. Amazingly, many of them asked me after the speech if I had my book along, so I got some books out, too. Joann Graschberger, President of the Brown County Women’s Club, was wonderful and so was Gail Chimenti, the former Chairman of the Republican Party of Brown County, who invited me.

So what's it like being on the campaign trail?

Not only did I get up early this morning, but I had to navigate myself. I tried to use the MapQuest map when I got to Green Bay. It wasn’t easy. There was this little dot on the map, where the place is, and it showed all the incoming roads, but it did not show the names of the roads or where you would pick them up. So I was a little bit late and going a little bit crazy. This is why big campaigns have a driver and a navigator, but sometimes I do these things alone.

Mark Block and my friend Fred Brooks, who has volunteered to help on so many of the things I am doing, were there to meet me. Mark and Fred actually rearranged and organized my car while I was in a meeting—and that certainly was a blessing! So I do have helpers and I am looking for volunteers, in case anyone out there wants to volunteer. You could sign up on my website, sandysullivan.org

It was an exciting afternoon, from one until three, at the Stadium View Bar and Grill on Holmgren Lane (in Green Bay). Tom Brown, the former Packer, had an autograph signing with such celebrities as Bob Jeter, Dave Robinson, Bob Long, Zeke Bratkowski, Bob Skoronski, and Marvin Fleming. So they signed autographs for a lot of people, and as the people were coming in I gave them my brochure and explained that I’m running for Secretary of State. It was the perfect spot to talk to people.

Interestingly, so many people were asking important questions, like, “Well, what could I (Sandy) do for farming?”

You know, there are different things people really need, and they need a voice in government to be heard. That’s what I want to do in office—to find out and do whatever I can for the people of Wisconsin--and one thing is to voice their concerns.

So it gave me a great insight talking to one particular gentleman who is interested in having Wisconsin farmers work in conjunction with a horticultural group in Denmark to help raise the plants to be sold in Home Depot. Our farmers would put together the compost and the potting soil. I thought that was a marvelous, marvelous thing for farmers to take on in the down time when money might be sparse.

Then in the afternoon, about 4:00, I came down to Manitowoc to the yacht club. They had a group of people waiting for me there and I spoke to them. That was delightful. I’m now passing through Milwaukee, after coming down 43 [note: Sandy dictates these blogs by phone, into voice mail].

I’m on my way home and—guess what!—I’m going to put my feet up in my home and watch the Packer game there on Sunday. There’s no sense doing anything more until the primary on Tuesday, and then it’s KATIE BAR THE DOOR—I’m heading out!

-Sandy

The courage to run, to serve, and to selflessly step aside

2006-09-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Sept. 9 - Hi! More about Friday--

Friday was a long day. Appearances started at 7:30 a.m. at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha, with a breakfast for Bill Kramer, who is running for state assembly. He is a little bit nervous because there is a runoff on Tuesday, but it was very exciting to cheer him on.

Then on to Ripon, to speak at the senior center about my book. A newspaper photographer came and took a picture of me signing my books with the seniors. It was a delightful day with them.

Then back to Waukesha to attend a fundraiser for J.B. Van Hollen at which Tommy Thompson appeared and spoke. He was delightful, telling us fun stories about his experiences as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Friday was especially sweet because at the breakfast, Margaret Farrow, our former lieutenant governor, spoke about the courage it takes for a candidate to put himself on the ballot. It was so gratifying to me as a candidate.

Not only is it tremendous work, she said, but you leave yourself open to all kinds of scrutiny—both positive and negative. She said most of the public does not realize the stamina, the integrity, and the selflessness it takes to be a public figure serving the people. I was so pleased with what she said. It made me feel that every effort I’m making is worthwhile. She is a lady who has really known it all. She has been through the entire gambit that I am just now beginning to experience.

That day both Margaret Farrow and the county executives of two of the largest counties in Wisconsin endorsed me. But beyond the race and thoughts on holding public office, I ended the day thinking with great respect of Scott Walker, who stepped down so unselfishly so that Mark Green could run for governor.

-Sandy

TGIF and Grateful for Support

2006-09-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Friday, Sept. 8 - Hello, everybody! You're in the company of one tired candidate. I'll cut this short and get some rest before starting the weekend tour.

Today I visited Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow--she has been such a strong figure and leader for Wisconsin!--also Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and State Representative Dan Vrakas. I was so excited to receive each of their endosements and grateful for the confidence they have shown in me. I'll live up to every bit--and more.

Former Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow.

Tonight is a get-together with friends of the NRA. And Saturday, first thing, will be a breakfast with the wonderful Republican Women of Brown County. I can't wait to meet JoAnn Graschberger and the others who do so much to get out the vote and support our candidates.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas.

Mark Block, my campaign chairman, shared some words of wisdom with me today as I rested my weary feet. He said his mentor, John MacIver, always told him winning was simple: You just win in the rural areas, the cities, the villages, and the towns by getting more votes than the other guy. (!)

Well, this week we've been to cities, villages, towns, to a game farm and a filleting of fish, and I've eaten three meals a day in three different places in the state. I have blisters on my feet and I almost can't remember when I had a weekend to relax after I made it to TGIF--"Thank God It's Friday."

It's not easy working toward the win, but it sure has been fun.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures here as much as I enjoyed being in them.

-Sandy

Flash Bulletin---and Fishing, Hunting, and Wisconsin's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

2006-09-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

Sept. 7 - The flash bulletin is just wonderful news!--A third former governor, Scott McCallum, has endorsed me. He announced it today. I thank Governor McCallum for his confidence in my capabilities. I can do this--and will proudly put Wisconsin first!
* * * * * * *

As for the fishing, at 10:00 this morning I was on National Avenue in Milwaukee, talking with a Latino family as they filleted their morning catch. We had experiences in common to talk about. I have fished (often on the Lemonweir) ever since I was a kid--and I still fish. A few months ago I caught a string of Northerns, cleaned them, and cooked them up. Can't beat fresh fish!

After we talked fish, I had a wonderful meeting at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s beautiful new building on West National Avenue, with their president and C.E.O., Maria Monreal Cameron. What a beautiful lady—and what a dynamo! I can see why the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is so successful and why the Milwaukee Chamber is a national leader. It’s just amazing what Maria has done. I know what it’s like to struggle with a small business and of course Maria is a force and a voice for this important population in Wisconsin.

Here is Maria Monreal Cameron!

In the afternoon, I met with Willie Davis, the great, great Green Bay Packer, captain of the Lombardi team, and Hall of Famer. He owns the radio alliance in Milwaukee. He is going to help me in my campaign! So—literally—stay tuned. Thanks, Willie! (I have learned that in campaign fundraising, you ask your friends, because they support _you_ for who you are--no strings.)

And later in the afternoon we filmed my first television commercial! I may not have the cash to air TV commercials (costs a fortune); but, just in case, we went out beyond Oconomowoc to a game farm. I walked with their hunting dogs and carried my shotgun and had a totally different experience. Nobody would expect this, but my Dad raised me to hunt in rural Wisconsin. We hunted all kinds of game and my aim got very good—I shot snakes in the head. Now this doesn’t sound very kind to animals, but hunting is one Wisconsin lifestyle that many people are very proud. I am proud of that tradition and of the experience it gave me. Here in Wisconsin we have learned to honor and respect many different and wholesome lifestyles. We count on a tourism industry that depends on good hunting and fishing grounds.

So, stick with Sandy on the campaign trail if you’re curious about what an election campaign is about, as seen by a newcomer who knows she would be a good Secretary of State. There will be lots of excitement again tomorrow.

Politics and Cows on the Square

2006-09-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Sept. 6 - Hi everybody! You are again in the company of the candidate, and I had another very interesting day.

My first meeting was with the president of the Wisconsin Merchants and Commerce Association, James S. Haney, who is with me in the picture above. What a delightful gentleman and what a very smart man! You can tell why he is in the position he is. He is truly dedicated to the progress of Wisconsin business and Wisconsin commerce—representing the manufacturers. I learned so much from him. He helped me with valuable information that I should be interested in and knowledgeable about during my campaign, and when I become Secretary of State. Therefore, it was a very, very worthwhile meeting.

From there I had lunch with Jack Voight, the Wisconsin State treasurer. We had a lovely lunch on the square. I learned a lot from Jack. A very delightful man, also—very knowledgeable. He gave me some great pointers on how to run a campaign, what I needed to do, how to work with an office that is very obscure, so to speak, in the eyes of the public, the voters, and the rest of state government. Of course the Secretary of State office is not even as well known as the Treasurer’s office. But I learned a lot from Mr. Voight and we became friends.

After that I went to have my picture taken and we did some filming on the capitol steps. It was a gorgeous day. Couldn’t have a better September Wisconsin day.

I have been enjoying the dairy cow art around the capitol--life-sized cows made of plaster of Paris or something, but they are solid. The cows are decorated in all different very unique, clever ways. One had two straws sticking out of its back and was presumably drinking from a trough with chocolate syrup in it. I know that sounds crazy, but then the next one was covered all over with tiny mirrors that glistened, representing Wisconsin winters. And there was one plastered with roadmaps of Wisconsin and laminated on top. We’re a proud dairy state!

I also spent a great deal of time with my advisor, Mark Block and with Ben Saunier, my campaign manager.

Thanks!

-Sandy

Fundraising--and a timely call from Bart Starr

2006-09-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, Sept. 5 - Hi Everybody! You’re in the company of the candidate!

I had a very interesting Tuesday. First of all it’s the day after Labor Day and everywhere I went today in Madison I found that many people were not quite back from their Labor Day weekends.

However, I hit the ground running—before 8:00 this morning—and the goal today was probably the more difficult part of politics, which I have never really experienced before. That was, “Where do you get the funds to get elected in a state office, or a federal office, or in any public office?” So today I had my first lesson (indoctrination) in how to go about getting support from associations and people in the legislature—how to get yourself known.

I started very early in the morning with a list of places to go. I had meetings in Madison all day. In one, I met with Mark Block. He is the State Director of Americans for Prosperity. I was thrilled he agreed to be the chairman of my campaign committee. He will be the top volunteer. Mark has lots of experience in campaigns. He was campaign manager for Governor Tommy Thompson and President George Bush. He also ran statewide races for Supreme Court Justices Janine Geske and Jon Wilcox. Wow! Mark feels very strongly that I can win this campaign. I may tell more on Mark's thoughts on the campaign on a later day.

By mid-afternoon I finally realized that when I go to speak my piece—wherever I go—I am not only trying to sell Sandy Sullivan as a candidate, but I have the very rare and unique situation of trying to let everybody know that we actually do have a Secretary of State office and then that it needs to be filled by someone different than the incumbent.

People go—“We have a Secretary of State? Oh.” They are not interested in that position because they feel it can’t do anything for them—or that it has been neglected for so many years that it has no power and it’s not very interesting. Everyone’s forgotten about it.

So I have a double job—or a triple job—not only of introducing myself to the people I go to, but also convincing them the job is important and then asking them for some money to help me. So I am really being challenged by this.

Thank goodness it was a gorgeous day, but I’m telling you these old dogs of mine are certainly hurting tonight. I walked probably five or six miles. It was well worth it. I learned a lot.

Just another day in the life of a candidate.

-Sandy
p.s.: Right in the middle of lunch as I was sitting with some people who don’t know me very well, Bart Starr called. I got to pass the phone to someone there who was thrilled to death that he called! But Bart was calling to tell me he was making a call to Willie Davis, our great captain of the Lombardi football team and a Hall of Famer. Bart wanted Willie to spend some time talking with me very soon and to see what he could do to help me in my campaign.

So I had a wonderful day and I know great things are coming. Be sure to stay tuned!

-S

Sandy and Mark Green - Janesville Labor Day

2006-09-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

A Really American Labor Day - The Way It Should Be!

2006-09-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 4, 2006 – Hi Everybody! You’re in the company of the candidate and I’m just driving up Highway 14 through Evansville, coming from the Janesville Labor Day parade.

I marched with all the Republicans in the Labor Day parade. We had all the candidates from both parties represented—and it was a gorgeous parade. The rain stayed away until we finished, which was just amazing.

I got way behind schedule and lost my people way up in front because I wanted to stop and shake hands with everybody. They were wonderful to me.

It was a just a glorious day—a really American day—the way it should be.

So I’ll talk to you later. We've got some great pictures to go with this. Bye-bye!

-Sandy

Great Times in Eau Claire and Watch TV News!

2006-09-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody! This is Sandy and you are in the company of the candidate.

Today is Sunday, September 3—Labor Day weekend. I traveled to Eau Claire County to meet up with the Republican County Committee and its entire membership. It was a gorgeous day!

They had a fabulous barbeque chicken dinner on the shore of Lake Altoona. After the dinner they took all the candidates out to the middle of the lake on a pontoon boat. When they brought us back, we all had flags and waived them as we were brought to the body of the Republican Party, who met us on the shore cheering. They were singing “God Bless America” and other patriotic hymns as we all waived our flags. It was beautiful!

Apparently that has been a tradition for a long time—bringing the candidates to shore in the boat—symbolizing, “The candidates have landed.”

Lynne Van Hollen was there, the wife of J.B., with their two children, and the candidate for the United States Senate, Robert Gerald Lorge. Eau Claire County Sheriff Ron Cramer was also there. His officers are doing marvelous things, fighting methamphetamines. Apparently the meth labs have been reduced by 60 percent—and that was a big problem in Eau Claire County.

Be sure to watch WEAU-TV (an NBC affiliate) tonight for the 10 p.m. news! (Or check their web site http://www.weau.com/ later on.) A nice young man from that station interviewed me by the lake. He said it would probably go on the nationwide link under ABC news. Eau Claire County/Sandy Sullivan Secretary of State.

All in all, I just want to say Eau Claire County has the most enthusiastic group of people. They were absolutely wonderful to me in so many ways, including backing me and giving me some money for my finance committee.

Tomorrow is Labor Day and I am heading for Janesville.

Welcome! - And Awaaaaaay We Go!

2006-09-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

I take the office of Secretary of State very seriously and will "Stand and Deliver" to make my office meaningful and a strong leadership voice for Wisconsin!

Even so, getting out on the campaign trail and meeting the people--finding out what's important to YOU--and having fun for the sake of Wisconsin, is a treat and an honor. I come home tired, but happy about learning to represent the people of this fine state.

Here, Senator Dave Zien and I took off on his big chopper--and it was a hoot. I would not normally ride without a helmet, but this was a fun photo-op in Chippewa Falls in late August.

Please get out and "do politics" this fall. Getting involved and electing people who put Wisconsin first will be fun for the entire family. Get your friends out to meet the candidates with you--and make sure they know who Sandy Sullivan is and how she can put the Secretary of State office back to work in state leadership!

Welcome to my blogs. Join me every day as I "Stand up for Wisconsin" and share my visits with the wonderful people, places, and events in Campaign 2006.

Sincerely,

Sandy