U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, took his newly formed campaign for governor on the road Monday, stopping in Madison as part of a four-city jaunt through the state.
At the Capitol Monday, Green delivered the same speech he gave in Green Bay Sunday when he announced his candidacy, and again criticized Gov. Jim Doyle.
\With the right leadership, I believe with all my heart that we can make Wisconsin great once again,"" Green said. ""But it has become clear that Gov. Doyle has not and will not provide that leadership. In my view, he's taken too many false shortcuts ... short-term 'fixes' aimed merely at getting him through the next campaign.""
Green was accompanied by many state supporters, including U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, with whom Green has worked, both in the state Assembly and Congress, and Margaret Farrow, former state representative and senator who served as lieutenant governor under the last Republican governor, Scott McCallum, from 2000-'02.
""[Green] is a man who looks for new ideas to solve old problems,"" Farrow said. ""To find government affordable and yet of quality service.""
Ryan also enthusiastically endorsed Green.
""This is really kind of a bittersweet moment for me, because I'm losing my best friend in Congress,"" he said. ""But I'm going to gain a great governor,"" he said.
While Green did not hesitate to attack Doyle, he refrained from talking negatively about his opponent in the Republican primary, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Like Ryan, Walker is a former legislator with whom Green worked closely in the past.
""Scott and I are good friends,"" Green said. ""I think the principle difference is one of experience and background. Obviously Scott is county executive of Milwaukee, he's in his first full term working on challenges there. For my side, over the last 12 years I've had the opportunities to work with the coalitions that I think make up the Wisconsin fabric of life.""
Green also made appearances Monday in La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Wausau.
