U.S. Congressman Mark Green, R-Green Bay, told students he isn't running a traditional gubernatorial campaign, but rather 'is leading a movement in Wisconsin to make it the great state it once was' at a College Republican club meeting Tuesday night.
Naming spending control as one of his top issues, Green said he believes every dollar the government takes from its people 'is another dollar you don't have' to spend on other valuable programs such as education. He said it would be necessary to revamp virtually every program in the state in order to conserve money.
Green also confronted the controversial issue of voter fraud. He said the only person standing in the way of voter integrity is Gov. Jim Doyle.
'I believe with all of my heart that every American is entitled to vote, but only once,' Green said. 'Believe it or not, in this state we have to have a debate on this.'
Students' rights are also at the top of Green's agenda. Although Green said he believes the UW System is one of the best in the country, he sees much room for improvement, especially in students' rights of expression, speech and worship.
Citing one instance at UW-Eau Claire in which RAs are not permitted to have optional Bible studies in their room, Green said he believes it is unfair that the UW System can prevent this instead of stopping a professor convicted of a crime from collecting his salary.
College Republican chair Jordan Smith said she supports Green's candidacy. 'I think that Mark Green has shown his commitment to education through wanting to lower seg fees, through wanting to lower our tuition. I think that would be extremely beneficial to students,' she said.
State attorney general candidate J.B. Van Hollen also spoke about his campaign at the meeting. Green stressed the importance of Hollen being elected. 'It is awfully important that we have a new attorney general,' Green said.
Van Hollen accused current Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager of hiding 'behind a shield of an environmentalist' when she sues businesses. He said Lautenschlager uses her position to drive business out of the state.
Van Hollen said he is confident in his policies, and said he believes Lautenschlager's current performance is so 'awful' that his campaign doesn't have to bring in Lautenschlager's personal issues, such as the DUI she was convicted of.
Both Republicans and Democrats support his candidacy, Van Hollen said. In fact, Van Hollen said he has gained more support from Democrats than both of the current Democratic nominees, Lautenschlager and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
UW-Madison freshman Matt Weil, who considers himself a Democrat but attended the College Republican meeting out of curiosity, said, 'I think Van Hollen is a very sound candidate based on job performance and straight numbers. The job should not be a partisan issue.'
