Allegations filed Tuesday against the Catholic Diocese of Madison reignited debate over the bias of the political watchdog group, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. While the group is officially non-partisan, many Republicans within Wisconsin government feel the group heavily favors Democratic politics.
The WDC called attention to the Diocese after the church began distributing fliers urging people to vote for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions without publicly disclosing its activity. According to state law, groups that spend more than $25 to support or oppose a state referendum have to register with the State Elections Board.
The allegations prompted outcry from many Republicans who believe the group has blatant partisan leanings.
""I don't think that they really have much credibility in the government at all,"" said state Sen. Alan Lasee, R-De Pere.
He said the group supports Democratic policies. ""The Democrats started the organization. They're certainly impartial, I don't know why they don't just come out and call themselves the Wisconsin Democratic Campaign.""
However, WDC Outreach Coordinator Debby Meyer said the scrutiny from Republicans is a direct result of the publicity surrounding the Green scandal.
Meyer said Republicans are angry because the current complaints affect them and the nearing election. Since WDC is nonpartisan, whatever issue they currently support leads the opposition to react, she said.
""Whoever gets the current support from us are the ones they remember. The [Green] issue happened to be cleaner and neater to highlight to the Elections Board and they ended up ruling the way we were concerned,"" she said.
In recent months WDC has been active surrounding Mark Green's allegedly illegal allocation of federal funds in his campaign for governor when it brought the issue to the attention of the State Elections Board.
This move has led some to doubt their nonpartisan motives, said Mark Green spokesperson Luke Punzenberger.
""Mark Green has followed every letter of the law, if you look at the evidence he has done everything asked of him by the state Elections Board.""
While the WDC's actions have concerned Republicans, Democrats remain impartial.
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison said the group has done an admirable job of attempting to stop illegal activity in state politics.
""Over time I've noticed they haven't seemed to go after one party or another,"" he said. ""The role of money in politics is a problem which affects everyone, unfortunately.""
