DNC chairman: Wisconsin governor waging war on public workers

RICHMOND, Va. — Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine laid into Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) Saturday night, telling a crowd of Democratic activists that what’s happening in that state amounts to a declaration of war on public workers. 

Speaking at the Virginia Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Kaine said the ongoing budget battle and wide scale protests in Wisconsin reveal the true priorities of GOP governors across the country.     

“Governors and others in state houses across this country on the Republican side have decided what they want to do is wage a war against their own employees,” Kaine said Saturday night. “Against public employees who are teaching our kids, who are caring for our parents in nursing homes, who are patrolling our neighborhoods.”  

Through Organizing for America, the DNC’s campaign arm, the national committee has been helping support some of the ongoing protests in Wisconsin, offering transportation to rallies and promoting the efforts through phone banking and other outreach. 

Workers there took to the streets for a sixth straight Sunday, protesting Walker’s proposed budget that targets their health and pension benefits, as well as collective bargaining rights.  

Talk of the budget battle in Wisconsin was frequent Saturday at the gathering of Virginia Democrats and party activists. 

Durning his speech, Democratic State Party Chairman Brian Moran asked the crowd to cheer on the protesters. 

“Let’s take a moment to recognize and congratulate the workers and Democrats who are fighting for their rights today in Wisconsin,” Moran said. 

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) also referenced the protests, telling activists that it’s up to Democrats to fight for the party’s core values, a battle he said is currently ongoing in Washington and across the country.  

“Protecting the right to organize, like our Democratic brothers and sisters right now in Wisconsin,” said Connolly. “That’s a Democratic value.”