WI Cronyism Update

Yesterday I noted the curious tale of a Walker (governor of Wisconsin) appointee who was given an $80k/year job with seemingly inadequate qualifications (oh, and who happened to be the son of a lobbyist who supported Walker).

Well, a day after the story broke, Walker acted:  Walker demotes son of campaign contributor.

That move does not surprise me.  However, what I found amazing in the follow-up story linked above was the list of qualifications for those who did not get the job:

The first, Oscar Herrera, is a former state cabinet secretary under Republican Gov. Scott McCallum with a doctoral degree and eight years’ experience overseeing the cleanup of petroleum-contaminated sites.

The second, Bernice Mattsson, is a professional engineer who served since 2003 in the post to which Deschane was appointed.

For those who didn’t read or don’t recall the previous story:  the fellow who got the job “has no college degree” and “little management experience.”

FILED UNDER: US Politics,
Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Politics as usual. It’d be the same no matter what the letter after his name is. News at 11.

  2. wr says:

    Not only didn’t get the job, didn’t even get an interview.

    And of course here comes yet another Rightie with the “both sides do it” crap.

  3. sam says:

    Now, if Senator Whatisface’s mistress gets fired, well, then….

  4. DC Loser says:

    Whaddya expect? The first guy obviously is suspect because his name suggests he is here illegally, and the second one because, you know, should be at home taking care of the kids and not taking the job away from a qualified man. Sheesh…..

  5. Gustopher says:

    I’m surprised the twerp was demoted. Seems like an acknowledgement of wrong-doing.

    Walker should have doubled-down and given the unqualified twerp a raise.

  6. John425 says:

    Gee, as a partisan, I have to take note of all the Democrats that are unfit for their posts.
    To wit: Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Samantha Power, Eric Holder…well, you get the point.

  7. Neil Hudelson says:

    You’re right John425, this case the people you mentioned are exactly the same.