Revealed: Wisconsin AG’s Shocking GOP “Logic” behind Gay Marriage and Abortion.

In what could have been a small throwaway news story, I found this most amazing explanation yet for the GOP’s opposition to same sex marriage and abortion. It’ll blow your mind. Post Crescent:

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen made his arguments in a brief filed with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court appealing a federal judge's June decision declaring Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional.
 Van Hollen said the due process clause in the U.S. Constitution doesn't require states to grant rights but only bars them from depriving citizens of fundamental rights.

Let’s break that down.

J.B. said: “The U.S. Constitution doesn't require states to grant rights:” But that's not what the Constitution is doing in this case. It's simply repealing a gay marriage ban, restoring a right taken away by the states.

J.B. said: (The Constitution) “only bars (states) from depriving citizens of fundamental rights.”

Exactly, marriage equality was a right all the time, so states were wrong to take that right away by banning gay marriage. It looks like J.B. inadvertently made the case against himself. Doh! 

J.B. Van Hollen offered up this scary way of thinking about duty of government when it comes to not defending individual rights:

Van Hollen compared gay marriage to abortion. "Although the constitutional right of privacy protects a woman's right to obtain an abortion and precludes government from prohibiting or punishing her exercise of that right, there is no corresponding obligation on government to affirmatively endorse or support her exercise of the abortion right," he wrote.

It’s a constitutional right our government won’t protect? Talk about a slippery slope. What other rights won't Republicans want to defend?

Van Hollen ready to arrest County Clerks over Gay and Lesbian Marriage Licenses. Police state not far behind....

Is it just a frustrated J.B. Van Hollen throwing out empty threats, or is he setting up his tea party credits to run for office?  If anything, it's one hell of a way to defend the constitution...lock 'em up? 

Even knowing fear and intimidation is part of the GOP’s planned takeover of the country, AG. Van Hollen’s threat to arrest county clerks seems wildly over the top. What a way to leave office:

jsonline: Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Thursday that same-sex couples who have wed in recent days are not married in the eyes of the law and that county clerks issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples could be prosecuted.

"You do have many people in Wisconsin basically taking the law into their own hands and there can be legal repercussions for that.  So, depending on who believes they're married under the law and who doesn't believe they're married under the law may cause them to get themselves in some legal problems that I think are going to take years for them and the courts to work out."

Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell called Van Hollen's claim of possible charges ridiculous. "He needs to call off the dogs and turn off the fire hoses," he said … County clerks can be jailed for up to nine months and fined up to $10,000 for issuing marriage licenses that aren't allowed, under state law.

That's a lot of jail time…

Sixty-three of Wisconsin's 72 counties are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, according to a tally by The Associated Press.

My favorite AG candidate DA Susan Happ was on top of this:

Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ released a statement calling the idea of charging clerks "offensive." "Attorney General Van Hollen's choice of action is through the appellate process, not threatening criminal prosecution of the clerks who are doing their jobs," her statement said.

WKOW's Greg Neumann hit this story from a number of different angles, including how Republicans are using their silence on the issue as deceptive way to straddle the middle. And there's no middle with these guys:

Surprise, ALEC vice chairwoman State Sen. Leah Vukmir and AG Van Hollen not above the law.

Oh how the story has changed. But don’t be distracted by the final outcome; Two Republicans now look like real losers, and proved to voters they really do think they’re above the law.

The story below doesn't say it, as usual, but it’s clear State Sen. Leah Vukmir lied about turning over all her email communiques between her and ALEC. She’s now releasing them:

WSJ: The agreement comes as part of a lawsuit settlement between Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, and the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal advocacy group. Vukmir previously claimed she had produced all records in compliance with state law, but is now expected to release more records from a private email account,

She lied, and continues to do so with the following whopper:

Vukmir, ALEC's second vice-chairwoman, said "I regret the technical issues we had fulfilling this request, but I have now fulfilled the request and turned over all records.”

Huh? Vukmir originally said she was above the law, and didn't have to reveal anything publically until she left office. Just as embarrassing, AG J.B. Van Hollen backed her up and used the state's reputation to defend her in court.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's office filed a motion to dismiss the case arguing legislators are immune from litigation while in office. As part of the settlement, Van Hollen agreed to withdraw that argument … Van Hollen faced heavy criticism for trying to apply the constitutional protection to the entire two-year session a legislator is in office. If it had been upheld by a court, the interpretation could shield lawmakers from complying with the state's open records law as long as they hold office. 

May that be forever on his tombstone. Thankfully, we dodged a bullet on that one. 

Even worse, taxpayer got stuck with the bill, and I'll bet not one conservative voter will ever find out because of the media grip Republicans have on talk radio:

Vukmir agreed to pay $12,500 in lawyer's fees and $2,500 in punitive damages as part of the settlement … DOJ spokeswoman Dana Brueck said the state will pay those amounts.

The Onionesque element of this story went something like this:

ALEC has stamped internal documents as confidential ... Vukmir acknowledged that the ALEC confidentiality disclaimer has no force of law in Wisconsin, and that records located in personal emails or online drop boxes are subject to the open records law.

This is how Republicans view power, and try to exploit and change the law. 

GOP & AG Van Hollen pick next Attorney General for voters.

The party that hates it when Democrats endorse their leading candidate must be suffering from projection, ya think? Headline Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Attorney General Van Hollen endorses Brad Schimel as his successor.

Yet the liberal elitists in Wisconsin are running 3 candidates. Must be some kinda election year trick. 

Democrats have a three-way primary for the office, with Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne and state Rep. Jon Richards of Milwaukee all committed to a run so far.

Walker's "United Sportsmen" debacle ignored by state Attorney General JB Van Hollen.

One Wisconsin Now wonders is it too much to ask:

"Rigged bids to send state tax dollars to politically connected front groups, lobbyist offers of junkets and cushy taxpayer-financed jobs that look like hush money aren’t the Wisconsin way. And the people behind these outrages need to be held accountable under the law!"

AG Van Hollen takes Democratic Party position on Drunk Driving Problem.

The Walker Republicans are proving to be just as contradictory as their congressional counterparts. This time on drunk driving.

Their old "tough on crime" rhetoric continues to impress constituents, even though it's been proven to be a disastrous taxpayer money pit over and over again.  Still, their inner self righteousness and need to garner public sympathy is just to hard to resist. Drunk driving is one of those incredibly emotional issues Republicans just love to exploit.

Enter partisan conservative AG J.B. Van Hollen. He's taking the Democratic position that there are more cost effective ways to deal with drunk driving, than throwing people prison. Yes, this is another Democratic solution ripped from their hands and made "Republican" by the press.

I'm pretty much fed up with the media pretending Democrats just don't exist or that their ideas aren't mainstream enough until a Republican offers up their official stamp of approval.

Here's another stolen solution, JB style:

Dumb......................................and Dumber!

FoxPointPatch: The state’s top cop opposes a lot of what’s contained in the bills being pushed by state Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills (on drunk driving), questioning the cost and effectiveness of the legislation. “I know we have limited dollars and I want to use them in the most effective and efficient way possible,” Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen told reporters at a Treatment Alternatives and Diversion symposium in Madison on Friday.

The six proposed bills targeting drunken driving are projected to cost state taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in increased prison time, litigation and court bills. On one proposal alone the state Department of Corrections estimates an increased cost of $226 million in prison bed days and another $236 million for construction of new facilities. “When you have unproven get-tougher-on-drunk-drivers legislation that costs a lot of money, it may not be the best way to reduce drunk driving or better protect the public if you can use that money in other categories. The reality is a lot of those dollars can be better spent on programs such as (OWI courts),” Van Hollen said.

No, really?

“If it’s not broken, why are we passing legislation to fix it?” says Republican AG Van Hollen. That’s what voters were asking.

Why does it always take a Republicans acknowledgement to make what Democrats have been saying for the last couple of years believable? Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen just exposed how our GOP state legislature continues to spin it’s wheel writing rules and big government regulations that don’t solve real problems.

jsonline: Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen (is) calling on Gov. Scott Walker to veto a budget provision that would allow those accused of crimes to post bail through commercial bondsmen and let bounty hunters track down those who don't show up for court.

"I'm opposed to it, always have been … If it's not broken, why are we passing legislation to fix it?"

Van Hollen said he also opposes changes GOP lawmakers made to a plan to take DNA from those accused of felonies when they are arrested, rather than when they are convicted. That would create difficulties for law enforcement officials as they try to determine when samples can be analyzed, Van Hollen said.

Republican Rep. Robin Vos smarted off this way:

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said he had not heard from Van Hollen about his concerns during the budget process. "Considering the fact that it's a Monday, it sounds like he's attempting to play Monday morning quarterback."

Another money loser passed by Republicans for purely ideological reasons, again: 

Van Hollen said the current system works well and he is concerned about letting offenders get out of jail more easily by having them post one-tenth as much bail as they do now. What's more, the courts and victims could lose out on millions of dollars a year, he said. That totaled $9.5 million in 2012, according to court records. "It's money in the hand that doesn't have to be collected," Van Hollen said.

Under a commercial bail bond system, counties would have to seek money …  time consuming and yield unsatisfactory results, according to opponents of commercial bail bond. 

AG Van Hollen Reverses Position, Reinstates Solicitor General Position with lots of Taxpayer dollars. Walker Political Appointments, Cronyism, to Expand!!!

Well, saving taxpayer money and firing people sure sounded in good during the campaign.

jsonline-Jason Stein: In a reversal of one of his first actions in office, state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is working with Gov. Scott Walker on a nearly $1 million proposal to bring back Wisconsin's solicitor general - as a political appointee. In his first campaign, Van Hollen sharply criticized his predecessor for wasting money by naming a top lawyer to oversee appeals and related issues for the state and Van Hollen did away with the solicitor general job as soon as he took office in 2007.

More spending and bigger government always looks better when it’s for Republicans. Notice that? It just keeps growing and costing more for taxpayers….

Van Hollen, a Republican, is backing a budget proposal by Walker to name not just a solicitor general but three assistants as well. It would run $961,000 over two years to create a solicitor general position, two deputies and a secretary, according to Brueck and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The funding also would allow for a six-figure salary for the solicitor general.

The Democratic AG didn't spend any money. Fancy that?

Peg Lautenschlager, Van Hollen's Democratic predecessor, was surprised. She had created the solicitor general position by simply reassigning her existing staff, not seeking new money, and at that time, the solicitor general was filled by a lawyer who was classified as a civil servant.

That's not all folks. Government cronyism under Walker is set to expand even more:

In a separate budget provision, Walker's bill would create four regional political appointees who would do public outreach and coordinate work between state agencies and officials such as the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., lawmakers, universities and state agencies. These appointees would earn between $69,300 and $107,400 a year.  

Police State Near: AG Van Hollen to fund DNA Collection of Citizens by short changing Schools, Prisons, Public Defenders.....

Our conservative one party authority will, in the next 2 years, be hell bent on the radicalization of our state government.

While the public is clearly against putting guns in schools, Republicans are dead set on arming teachers anyway, a movement most likely lead in Wisconsin by longtime proponent Sen. Frank Lasee. While we don't want to create a data base for guns, we're just fine starting one for those arrested Wisconsinites who may not be found guilty after all.

And that brings me to Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s outrageous budget request to fund DNA sampling. It's a complete 180 on civil liberties.

Back in April of this year, our one party law enforcer started to appreciate his new found power:

Van Hollen backed a plan to take DNA samples from people when they are arrested for felonies, instead of when they are convicted. The two Republicans gave their support to the bill 2½ years after Van Hollen raised reservations about a similar proposal when it was touted by Jim Doyle, the Democrat who was then serving as governor. At that time, Van Hollen said he was concerned about the expense of the proposal and its effect on civil liberties ... whether the further erosion of civil liberties - which any law creates - are worth the return of public safety. 

Stacy Harbaugh, speaking for the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, said her group opposes the measure because those who are not convicted of crimes would have to give up DNA, which includes detailed information about their health. "We could be filling our databank full of very private information from potentially innocent people," she said.

She also noted minorities in Wisconsin have disproportionate contact with law enforcement. "Will the DNA databank be about promoting justice or will it have a racial bias?" she said.

Ya think? If this is how he wants to pad his resume of a run for governor, then we’re in real trouble.:

The massive cost from our tight wad managers of taxpayer money?:

The DOJ has determined the measure would cost $6.4 million in its first year and $4.1 million a year thereafter … The State Crime Laboratory analyzes about 8,500 DNA samples from convicted felons a year. The department estimates that figure would balloon to 104,000 samples the first year after it became law. The bill allows those arrested but not convicted to have their DNA profiles expunged from the state's databank. The department thinks thousands of people would ask for that, contributing to the higher costs. 

Here's where we're getting all that soon to be wasted money: 

WKOW: The state's Justice Department wants to shift millions of dollars from schools, prisons, gang diversion programs and public defenders to pay for DNA collection and fund services for sexual assault victims.

It would mean the Department of Public Instruction would lose $3.7 million for alcohol and other drug abuse programs. Prisons would lose $4.1 million for guard training. The Office of Justice Assistance would lose $1.7 million for youth gang diversion programs and public defenders would lose $253,800 for training.

And so will fall away other incredibly important safe guards and programs instituted over time that have made life better in Wisconsin. I don’t even want to get into changes to the electoral college here.

Van Hollen says he's not political, but defends Act 10 the Walker way, "will of the people."

Is Van Hollen even trying to look like the state's top legal mind?

Not only did J.B. Van Hollen fail to defend Scott Walker's refusal to carry out a very constitutional Affordable Care Act, but he looked stumped trying to explain why Act 10 is anything but unconstitutional. Shooting from the hip, Van Hollen skips over our founding document so he can repeat Walker's inane argument, "it's will of the people." Speaking of the people's will:

Van Hollen: "Their will shouldn't be trumped, uh by, uh, by an individual judge or anyone else unless they've clearly violated our constitution." 

"Clearly?" You know, like most cases before the Supreme Court, they' get all the easy one? From Upfront with Mike Gousha:

Code Name “Fear Mongering?”

J.B. Van Hollen’s Crime Alert Network is just what your typical concealed carry paranoid needs stay alive.

Superior Telegram: Van Hollen said it is his goal as attorney general (is) to get people involved in Wisconsin’s new Crime Alert Network … to solve crimes and protect communities. At present, the attorney general said, fewer than 1,000 people have signed up for crime alerts.

Van Hollen said the program, which costs $12 per year to join, can help businesses and individuals protect themselves against crime. The $12 annual fee means taxpayers aren’t funding the system.

Law enforcement officers issue alerts at no cost. To enroll or to learn more, go to www.wisconsincrimealert.gov.

ALEC Exposed goes to Attorney General JB Van Hollen.

The Center for Media and Democracy has sent to AG J.B. Van Hollen, a report they put together on ALEC, and how it is violating Wisconsin's strict lobbying laws and tax exempt status. WKOW:



49 Republicans in our legislature are members of ALEC. And in the last session, they introduced 32 pieces of model ALEC legislation, with as many as 19 signed into law, including voter ID and the castle doctrine.

Is it any wonder Sen. Terry Moulton couldn't remember one job creation bill in the last year. The reason is simple;  they don't write the stuff and they're not paying attention, it's color by ALEC numbers legislation. They're government hating freeloaders and they need to go.

Van Hollen challenges Federal Court Redistricting Decision to Supreme Court.

You don’t cross the new Republican State Authority (RSA).

After a federal court found that only two districts were found to be redrawn for a Republican political advantage, the judge accepted the plaintiff’s maps and settle the case…not quite, again.

AG J.B. Van Hollen appears to be offended by the idea that a federal judge would think to interfere with the legislative branch. These kinds of challenges and resolutions have a long history, and are nothing new. What is fairly new is the "all or nothing" approach to maintain power. Heck, maybe Democrats should be just as dogged over the most insignificant issues. Despite the fact that redistricting was cloaked in signed secrecy, our government leaders continue to try and track down and kill any possible avenues of dissent. WKOW:

A funny aside; radio hosts Vicki McKenna and Brian Schimming both bashed the federal court as “Dane County” judges, when they’re…you know, federal. The courts building is in Dane County though…

Fox6: In a statement issued Thursday, Van Hollen said: “The redistricting laws were upheld in virtually all respects.  However, we have appealed the one portion of the district court’s decision where the State did not prevail.  While some view the adverse portion of the district court decision as being inconsequential, I disagree.  Any time a federal court rejects a state redistricting statute, and decides to redraw or adjust a legislative district, it is a serious matter and appropriate for appellate review.”

The latest maps were drawn in secrecy by Republicans and signed into law last year by Gov. Scott Walker, in a process that the judges frequently criticized in harsh language for its lack of transparency.

The plaintiffs argued in part that the new maps split up one strong Hispanic voting bloc in Milwaukee into two weaker groups, limiting those residents’ power to elect Latino candidates. The federal panel agreed. The judges ordered both parties to adjust the boundary between the two districts, either by collaborating on one map or by submitting their own individual maps for the court’s approval. The two sides were unable to come to agreement, so the plaintiffs submitted one proposal of their own and the defendants submitted two. The plaintiffs maps were accepted by the panel.

J.B. Van Hollen spends money like drunken sailor, passes out $289,000 to 93 employees!!

When big government "leaders" like J.B. Van Hollen decide to pass out bonuses, something like the bankers did on Wall Street after they tanked the economy, good luck keeping families on Badgercare.

Amazingly, Scott Walker is letting Van Hollen live it up. It's only fair. WKOW's Tony Galli:



Former Gov. Doyle cut the bonuses due to the Great Recession and tight state budgets...which apparently we don't have anymore?

Walker convinces Van Hollen on DNA samples; Trust us, we’re Republicans. What could go wrong?

Under a Democratic governor, J.B. Van Hollen opposed DNA sampling of felony arrests for a multitude of reasons. All those reasons disappeared, magically, when the Republicans took control of the iron fist of government in Wisconsin.

jsonline: Gov. Scott Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen backed a plan Monday to take DNA samples from people when they are arrested for felonies, instead of when they are convicted … 2½ years after Van Hollen raised reservations about a similar proposal when it was touted by Jim Doyle, the Democrat who was then serving as governor.

Even more surreal; there’s an actual group advocating DNA sampling of Americans at the point of arrest, and not just after convictions, called DNA Saves. They claim citizens will “feel” safer when such laws are passed.  

"Wisconsin needs to be the 26th state," said Jayann Sepich, a co-founder of the group.

I can't wait? I don’t know if you’ve been keeping track, but the Walker administration is dramatically expanding what will now be considered a felony violation, for instance; shoplifters stealing anything over $500 (once $2500) will now be treated as felons. You can thank the raving lunatic of the Assembly, Joel Kleefisch for that one.

So the cost to taxpayers will go through the roof, right? Yes, but in the upside down world of conservatism, it could possibly save money:

The two Republicans acknowledged it would have upfront costs but said it would ultimately save money because the program would identify some suspects more quickly. The 2009 bill to take DNA at arrest would have cost $6.4 million in its first year and $4.1 million a year thereafter (samples taken from all felony arrests, which is not the current Walker plan, maybe).

Back then, Van Hollen worried about the constitutionality of DNA sampling. But since then, Republicans have shown they can be trusted more than Democrats with a new DNA data base of innocent citizens.

"Part of the reason why I'm reserved on the bill is because I, like many people, do realize that there comes a point where we cross a line," he said then. "As we start to collect DNA samples from more and more individuals under more circumstances, you come closer to that line."

Hell, once we get first offense drunk driving listed as a felony, who knows what law will be next.  

The Dizzy Mixed up World of Government, by Walker Republicans. Part 1 Concealed Carry!!

Let’s face it, Republicans are out to prove government is bad, so they're unintentionally botching it up every step of the way. All they’re doing is passing the trash on their checklist of right wing priorities, and magically, they’ll take care of themselves? Here’s another story that proves how bad government can be, compliments of the party that hates it so much:

jsonline: Wisconsin residents have overwhelmed the state Justice Department with so many concealed weapon permit applications agency officials say they probably won't meet deadlines for issuing approvals this month despite pulling dozens of employees from other tasks to help.

That’s right, the rest of government has to suffer so the Justice Dept. won’t have to spend money hiring more GOVERNMENT employees to take on the added cost. Our overzealous Republican extremists set an unrealistic deadline to prove how irrational they could be passing out permits:

The law requires the agency to process applications received before Nov. 30 within 45 days. Any applications received after that date must be processed within 21 days.

(The DOJ) had received 64,832 applications, issued 36,373 permits and denied 800, mostly because addresses applicants submitted didn't match their addresses in state Department of Transportation records.

If this were voter registration, Republicans would be screaming fraud at the top of their voice. 800 hundred fraudulent names. Amazing? But just to show you how convoluted and bad Republicans are at running government, check out how bent out of shape conservatives are when they have to add more lazy overpaid employees:

The law doesn't impose any sanctions or penalties if the agency fails to meet the deadlines … The law authorized $236,700 drawn from application fees for 11 new Department of Justice hires to help process applications, including 10 six-month employees whose jobs will end in March. However, the agency has been operating with only 10 of the new positions; two of the six-month workers left and the agency re-filled only one of the positions. End-of-the-year holidays have slowed processing down … been forced to pull sometimes dozens of other employees a day from their regular tasks to work on applications … They've worked on days off and postponed vacations into next year to devote more time to the applications … the department has paid out about $30,000 in overtime on application work between Nov. 4 and Dec. 17. The Legislature's budget committee approved a department request to spend $1.5 million from application fees to hire more than two dozen additional employees to help with applications over the next two fiscal years. Eleven six-month employees will start work on Jan. 3 but will need up to a month of training. The remaining 14.5 employees will start in March, after the nine current limited-term positions end.

Chaos? So this is the Republican version of streamlining government? 

JB Van Hollen doesn't prosecute Republicans!!

There's really no other way to interpret J. B. Van Hollen's decision not to be a part of the John Doe investigation of Walker cronies and staff. Check this out from jsonline's Dan Bice:

Top investigators at the state Department of Justice wanted to keep out of a secret investigation of current and former aides to Gov. Scott Walker, newly released records show. "This is one to try and stay away from. I can't see any good coming from it," Ed Wall, head of the department's Division of Criminal Investigation, wrote in a Nov. 15, 2010, email. “Absolutely," responded David Spakowicz, director of field operations for the division's eastern region.

It also seems there's a divide as to who J.B. will work with:

Wall's email was sent just hours before he met with Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm about the John Doe investigation.

But get this bit of hypocrisy:

Van Hollen's agency assisted with at least one previous John Doe investigation run by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office, lending a hand during the probe of former Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee (D).

The investigation is being headed by Chisholm, a Democrat. The Department of Justice is headed by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who like Walker is a Republican. State Department of Justice officials have declined to say why the agency chose not to assist with the investigation of Walker's former county staffers.

JB Van Hollen trusts people with guns in the Capitol.

Maybe they’ll think twice when they attack the middle class, or raise taxes?

jsonline: Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Thursday he would be comfortable with allowing people to carry guns in the Capitol and other state buildings. "I don't have a problem with it, but I'm not going to have a say in that," the Republican attorney general said in an interview.

"One of the oldest arguments out there is that the criminals - the ones who aren't entitled to have firearms - are carrying concealed already," he added. "They're the ones we're worried about, not the ones who are going to be abiding by the law."

Is Van Hollen right? That only criminals with guns are the ones to fear. We know that it's not possible that someone exercising their Constitutional right to carry and protect themselves against a radical government, will use the threat of a gun to make their elected politician think twice about carrying out a radical agenda? 

Not likely. Normal everyday citizens aren’t criminals and never will be. Only criminals at birth, the ones with guns, are the ones we have to worry about.  

Well, that was easy, politicized AG J.B. Van Hollen won’t investigate fellow Republican Walker.

Voter fraud and porn appears to be Van Hollen’s main focus. Everything else…naw.

Investigate Scott Walker staffers...naw.

No one’s talking, but the message couldn’t be clearer:

jsonline: State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen was asked months ago to assist in a growing secret investigation of former and current aides to Gov. Scott Walker, but Van Hollen's office declined, sources familiar with the request said Tuesday. State Department of Justice officials would not say why the agency chose not to assist with the investigation of Walker's former county staffers. Sources said the request was made around the time of the November 2010 election. 

The John Doe is being run by the office of Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, a Democrat. Van Hollen and Walker are Republicans. Sources said prosecutors have been looking into whether county staffers were doing political work while on the clock and failing to do county jobs. 

Voter Fraud Crusader AG J.B. Van Hollen Silent on Waukesha Vote Error!

Van Hollen’s pursuit of voter fraud borders on the rabid, playing on the mythical fears of double voting and conspiracy theories, so what can possibly explain his silence and inaction on the massive vote count error in Waukesha? You would think he would at least try to restore public confidence in the process by looking into the controversy created by a problematic county clerk. Go figure.

One Wisconsin Now is asking the same question:

More than 10,000 concerned Wisconsin citizens are calling for a bipartisan investigation by Attorney General JB Van Hollen into the actions of Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus.  

One Wisconsin Now said it was concerned the Attorney General had yet to offer comment or direction, given the strong position Van Hollen took when it came to allegations people had voted improperly in Milwaukee in 2008. Van Hollen’s investigation, which also included the creation of the Election Integrity Task Force, produced less than 20 potentially-improper votes cast. A total of three million votes were cast in Wisconsin in the 2008 election. 

“It raises serious concerns that Attorney General Van Hollen spent two years investigating voters predominately in Milwaukee County, while so far ignoring this action in Waukesha County,” said Ross. “The longer he remains silent, the more strongly it suggests his investigations are rooted in partisan politics instead of protecting the public trust.”