Four Republican contenders who are vying for the chance to face incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold in November's U.S. Senate election will debate tonight in Madison.
State Sen. Bob Welch, R-Town of Marion, Madison area car dealer Russ Darrow, Brownsville businessman Tim Michels and former Republican Secretary of State candidate and Madison lawyer Robert Lorge will discuss campaign issues at the Holiday Inn Madison East, 3841 E. Washington Ave., at 7 p.m.
According to one campaign manager, all four candidates have very similar agendas, such as a desire for lower taxes, more defense and health care reform. However, they differ in their levels of experience and their plan to beat the popular Feingold.
Mike Prentiss, Bob Welch's campaign manager, said while Welch has less money than Darrow and Michels he would triumph with his unmatched governmental experience.
\Frankly, fundraising is one part of the primary and money is important,"" Prentiss said. ""But the strength that Bob really brings to the race is his 20 years of experience in the state Legislature.""
According to Prentiss, a recent Badger Poll that showed one-third of state respondents who no opinion about Feingold said he has not done much in his term besides pass campaign finance reform legislation.
""He's had 11 years in the United States Senate ... to do a lot of good, and he chose to do nothing except chase after one issue that he frankly has an obsession with that doesn't really affect the day-to-day lives of anyone in Wisconsin,"" Prentiss said.
In contrast to Welch's time in the Legislature, Russ Darrow, recognized throughout Madison for his familiar radio jingles, has no previous political career. But Eric Schutt, his campaign manager, said Darrow's time in business is all the experience he needs.
""Russ Darrow is the only candidate in this race with 38 years of experience building a business from scratch,"" Schutt said. ""In doing that, he's had to live taxes, live health care, make budgets and set priorities.""
Michels and Lorge were unavailable for comment. According to their Web sites, Michels supports term limits, protecting Social Security and Medicare and paying off the national debt, while Lorge is in favor of a strong defense and a tough China policy.
However, Feingold's campaign manager George Aldrich said despite different backgrounds, the Republican challengers have one central position uniting them.
""Our four potential candidates for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate all agree with President Bush on essentially every issue, and believe that the biggest problem with Senator Feingold is that he doesn't agree with President Bush enough,"" Aldrich said. ""Wisconsinites do not want a yes-man for the president. They want an effective senator who will stand up for them and ask the tough questions on their behalf.\
